Zaclon LLC

Technical Information

Zinc Chloride
granular solid or aqueous solutions

Product Overview Uses and Applications

Zinc Chloride is a white deliquescent salt Galvanizing, Soldering and Tinning
that forms acidic solutions in water and in Fluxes
polar organic solvents such as ethanol, When heat decomposes moist fluxes based on
acetone and ether. Neutral solutions can be zinc chloride, hydrochloric acid is formed.
prepared with anhydrous zinc chloride and The acid removes oxides and salts from
acetone. Zinc chloride is available from metal surfaces and provides good metal-to-
Zaclon LLC as a granular solid or in the form metal bonding.
of aqueous solutions ranging in concentration
from 50 to 70%. Solution is a light straw Odor Control
color. Zinc chloride reacts with sulfide to minimize
release of H2S gas in waste treatment
Chemical and Physical Properties facilities.
• Anhydrous zinc chloride hydrolyzes with
moisture to form hydrochloric acid. It Oil-Gas Wells
also forms complex ions with water, High-density solutions of zinc chloride and
ammonia and some organic solvents. calcium chloride give good performance in
Alkaline materials precipitate zinc well completion and work-over operations;
hydroxide from zinc chloride solutions. the solutions also have merit as packer fluids
• Zinc laurate, linoleate or resinate can be under certain well conditions. Zinc chloride
formed from zinc chloride solutions and has been used in specialty corrosion
solutions of the corresponding sodium inhibitors and invert emulsion breakers.
salt.
• Zinc chloride is a Lewis acid and Vulcanized Fiber
therefore electrophilic in character. Its Water-leaf paper is gelatinized with a 72 Bé
catalytic activity is milder than that of zinc chloride solution is less tacky, drier and
aluminum chloride in, for example, less moisture-absorbent than caustic
Friedel-Crafts type reactions. Zinc reclaimed rubber. The zinc chloride not only
chloride is particularly effective in dissolves the cellulosic fibers in the scrap,
catalyzing reactions that eliminate but also catalyzes depolymerization of the
molecules of water, ammonia or elastomer.
mercaptans.
• Zinc chloride solutions gelatinize Organic Syntheses
cellulosic materials and induce Zinc chloride absorbs readily on charcoal or
crosslinking in such polymer formers as silica for catalyzing acylations and alkylations
the methylol ureas. by Friedel-Crafts synthesis. In esterifications
• Zinc chloride solution has no USP and condensation reactions, zinc chloride
designation, though the purity of Zaclon facilitates the elimination of water or
zinc chloride solutions can match ammonia molecules from the reactants. One
anything made from USP-grade dry zinc example is the Fischer idole synthesis.
chloride solution.

Warning
Zinc chloride can cause skin burns, eye damage, nose and throat irritation. See “Personal
Safety and First Aid” on page 3.
Reclaimed Rubber Dry Cell Batteries
Rubber reclaimed from natural, styrene- Zinc chloride acts as moisture absorbent for
butadiene rubber (SBR), and mixed scrap the ammonium chloride electrolyte and as
with 70 Bé zinc chloride not only dissolves corrosion retardant for the cathodic zinc
the cellulosic fibers in the scrap, but also casing.
catalyzes depolymerization of the elastomer.

Liquid Fertilizer Solution Grades

Zinc chloride may be used with chelating Standard Grade Solution
agents for a micronutrient in liquid Zaclon zinc chloride solution is available in a
fertilizers. variety of standard solutions. The standard
strengths are 50%, 62.5%, 68.5%, and 70.5%.
Textile Finishing See the table below for properties of these
Zinc chloride induces cross-linking in such grades.
polymer formers as the methylol ureas. Zinc
chloride is a more active catalyst than Technical Grade Solution
magnesium chloride and almost as active as This grade is not as pure as our standard
zinc nitrate. It does not contribute to resin grades, but is more cost effective and
yellowing on white goods and has little effect compatible with certain uses. Its properties
on dye shades in tinted materials. Zinc are similar to the standard grade except for
chloride solutions induce cross-linking the following differences. It may contain up
between cellulosics and durable-press resins, to 0.01% iron, up to 0.02% of fluorides and up
such as those based on imidazolidone, such to 0.6% TOC.
as dimethyoldihydroxyethyleneurea
(DMDHEU). Zaclon zinc chloride solution has Custom Zinc Chloride Solution
a low concentration of color-inducing metal- Zaclon offers a wide range of zinc chloride
ion contaminants. The textile grade is used based products, but is also willing to consider
as a catalyst in resin systems that impart a your individual needs and custom produce
durable-press or wash and wear finish to product with unique strengths, purity
cotton and cotton-synthetic blend fabrics. requirements, additives or other chemical
Zinc chloride 50% solution also serves as a components.
high quality mercerizing agent for cotton.

Standard Zinc Chloride Solution Properties

Standard Grades
Properties 50% 62.5% 68.5% 70.5%
O O 53.3 65.05 70.2 72.3
Gravity, Baume unites, 16 C (60 F)
(13.2 lb/gal) (15 lb/gal) (16.1 lb/gal) (16.6 lb/gal)
ZnCl2 % Min 50.0 62.5 68.5 70.5
Sulfates as SO3 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.035
Total iron as Fe % 0.001 0.0015 0.0015 0.0015
NH4Cl % 0.10 0.1 0.1 0.1
Calcium as CaCl2 % 0.035 0.045 0.05 0.05
Manganese as Mn % 0.002 0.0025 0.003 0.003
Clarity Clear Clear Clear Clear
Color Light Straw Light Straw Light Straw Light Straw
Basicity as ZnO % 0.05 - 0.15 0.05 – 0.15 0.05 – 0.15 0.05 – 0.15
Alkali-chlorides % No test 0.625 No test No test
TOC Negligible Negligible 0.0 0.0
Total Heavy Metals (Cb, Pb, Cu) % 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
 Zinc Chloride Granular Properties
Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2) water soluble % >98.0 minimum
Ammonium (NH4) % 0.6 maximum
Water insoluble matter (basic zinc chloride) as ZnO % 0.6 – 0.7
Total iron as Fe % 0.001 maximum
Total heavy metals (Cd, Pb) % 0.001 maximum
Color White
Molecular weight 136.28
Melting Point 287O C (549O F)
Boiling Point 760 mm Hg (101.3 kPa) 732O C (1350O F)
O O 3 3
Density 25 C (77 F) g/cm (Mg/m ) 2.9 (180 lb/ft3)
Solubility in water 25O C (77O F) g/100 g solution 81
Product Bulk Density Lb/ft3 100 loose (110 packed)

Storage and Handling Personal Safety and First Aid

Metal drums of granular zinc chloride should Health Hazards
be stored, tightly closed, in a warm 10-24 oC Zinc Chloride is an acidic material and causes
(50-75 oF) dry place, protected from direct skin and eye burns. The principal hazard is
sunlight. Because anhydrous zinc chloride to the eye, since even brief contact with zinc
readily absorbs moisture, an inventory chloride in water may produce permanent
turnover rate of about 2-3 months is damage. Deaths, in which severe damage
recommended to minimize the possibility of occurred to the esophagus and pylorus, have
caking. Drums of zinc chloride solutions been known to occur from swallowing zinc
should be stored with the bung at the top to chloride.
minimize leakage, and drums should never be
emptied by air pressure. The U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that
an employee's exposure to zinc chloride
Heated storage may be necessary for 70 fumes in any eight-hour work shift of a 40
Baume Technical and 72 Baume Technical hour week, shall not exceed a time weighted
zinc chloride solutions to avoid freezing. average of 1 mg/m3 of air (29 CFR
These grades are also shipped in insulated 1910.1000) Air Contaminants.
tank cars equipped with steam coils. If the
load freezes in transit, it can be thawed by Safety Precautions
connecting the plant steam line to the tank Do not get zinc chloride in eyes, on skin or
car coils. Freezing and thawing will not clothing. Do not take it internally. Avoid
affect product quality. inhaling mist, dust and fumes. Keep
Caution should be exercised in selecting container closed. Use with adequate
materials for use with zinc chlorides. Steel ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling.
tanks are not satisfactory for storage of zinc Exposure of the eyes and skin can be
chloride solutions. For storage at normal minimized by wearing chemical safety
temperatures, rubber-lined steel tanks or goggles and rubber gloves. Additional
fiberglass-reinforced polyester tanks are protective equipment, such as transparent
recommended. Small polyethylene or face shield, rubber gauntlets, rubber pants
polypropylene tanks can also be used. and jacket, and rubber shoes may be
desirable where there is a high probability of
contact with concentrated solutions of zinc
chloride.
First Aid Shipping Containers
In the event of contact, immediately flush Zaclon LLC ships zinc chloride granular in
eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least plastic 55 lb. (25 kg.) bags, palletized 40 per
15 minutes, while removing contaminated pallet.
clothing and shoes. Call a physician. Wash
clothing before reuse. Zinc chloride solutions are shipped in tank
cars, tank trucks, non-returnable 275 and 330
If inhaled, remove to fresh air immediately. gallon intermediate bulk container totes, and
If not breathing, give artificial respiration, in non-returnable 30 gallon and 55 gallon
preferably mouth to mouth. If breathing is polyethylene drums.
difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Zinc chloride granular is classified a corrosive
If swallowed, give large quantities of water material (UN 2331) by the Department of
or milk. Do not induce vomiting. Transportation (DOT). Zinc chloride solution
Call a physician. Never give anything by is classified a corrosive material (UN 1840) by
mouth to an unconscious person. DOT.
___________
Due to changing governmental regulations, such as those of
the Department of Transportation, Department of Labor,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and
Drug Administration, references herein to governmental
regulations may be superseded. You should consult and
follow the current governmental regulations, such as
Hazardous Classification, Labeling, Food Use Clearances,
Worker Exposure Limitations and Waste Disposal Procedures
for the up-to-date requirements for the products described
in this literature.

Zaclon LLC – Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Sales & Services
For placing orders or requesting additional product information, please use our convenient toll-free
telephone number at (800) 356-7327 or visit our website at www.zaclon.com

The information set forth herin is furnished free of charge and is based on technical data that Zaclon believes to be reliable. It is
intended for use by persons having technical skill and at their own discretion and risk. Since conditions of use are outside our
control, we make no warranties, express or implied, and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information.
Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patents.