Hydrochloric Acid Essay

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Dofasco uses hydrochloric acid to remove scale, oxides and other impurities that form on the surface of hot-rolled steel coils in a finishing process-a pickling line. Hot-rolled iron moves through baths of hydrochloric acid to remove impurities that form on the surface of the steel during the manufacturing process. The acid is used as a substance to create a clean-surfaced product. Hydrochloric acid is a clear, colorless, solution with a strong odour made of hydrogen chloride ions and water. This acid is highly corrosive and is used for many industrial purposes such as the pickling process. It is highly reactive, which is why it works efficiently to remove impurities off the surface of steel when it reacts with the steel. During the hot rolling of the …show more content…

It also reduces the thickness of the steel by 80%, which makes the steel tensile strength increase and the hardness increases. The acid also give the steel a smoother surface finish, and the dimensional tolerances are reduced. Furthermore, hydrochloric acid that is used in this finishing process is regenerate and re-used by Dofasco. In an acid regeneration plant, spent hydrochloric acid is decomposed in the reactor. Overall, hydrochloric acid is used to remove iron oxides that form on the surface of hot-rolled steel. This is a great substance for this use because it is highly corrosive which means it will be more effective on the rust that forms on the surface and in a minimum time span so the actual metal isn’t harmed. The hydrochloric is very effective in removes the rust through its corrosive property, however it doesn’t destroy the base (the actual metal) because of inhibitors; a substance that is added to the acid to make sure the chemical process happens slower so it doesn’t damage the base (steel). Therefore, this is why hydrochloric acid is used by Dofasco in the “pickling”

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