What Is Ammonium Chloride?
Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a white, crystalline inorganic salt widely used in fertilizers, metalworking, dry-cell batteries, chemical processing, and selected drilling applications. It dissolves readily in water and produces a mildly acidic solution. Manufacturers value this versatile chemical for its nitrogen content, chemical stability under normal storage conditions, and industrial performance.
ATDM supplies ammonium chloride for international markets with flexible packaging, competitive bulk prices, and worldwide export services.
Chemical Properties of Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium chloride, also known as sal ammoniac, consists of ammonium and chloride ions. It typically appears as a white crystalline powder or granular material.
Its main characteristics include:
-
Chemical formula: NH₄Cl
-
CAS number: 12125-02-9
-
Molecular weight: 53.49 g/mol
-
Appearance: White crystalline powder
-
Odor: Odorless
-
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
-
Aqueous solution: Mildly acidic
-
Thermal behavior: Sublimes or dissociates upon heating
The compound has applications across agriculture, chemical manufacturing, electronics, and industrial processing.
How Manufacturers Produce Ammonium Chloride
Manufacturers produce ammonium chloride through several industrial processes.
Reaction of Ammonia and Hydrochloric Acid
One common method involves reacting ammonia with hydrochloric acid.
NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl
This reaction produces ammonium chloride, which manufacturers can recover, crystallize, dry, and package.
Production Through the Solvay Process
Some sodium carbonate manufacturing processes generate ammonium chloride-containing solutions or streams.
Depending on the production system, manufacturers may recover ammonium chloride as a commercial product.
Natural Occurrence
Ammonium chloride occurs naturally as the mineral sal ammoniac, particularly around volcanic vents and certain burning coal deposits.
However, industrial chemical production provides most commercial material.
Ammonium Chloride in Drilling Fluids
Ammonium chloride can serve as a clay-stabilizing additive in selected drilling and completion fluid formulations.
Its ammonium ions interact with certain clay minerals and can help limit hydration and swelling under suitable conditions.
Drilling engineers evaluate its compatibility with formation minerals, other additives, and environmental requirements before use.
For additional drilling-related materials, explore Gilsonite for drilling applications.
Agricultural Applications
Agricultural fertilizer manufacturers use ammonium chloride as a nitrogen source in selected formulations.
It contains approximately 26% nitrogen by weight, making it suitable for certain nitrogen fertilizer applications.
Farmers may use it for crops that tolerate chloride, including rice under suitable soil conditions.
However, excessive chloride can affect sensitive crops and contribute to soil salinity. Agricultural users should evaluate soil conditions, crop requirements, and application rates.
Metalworking and Galvanizing
Metalworking companies use ammonium chloride in flux formulations for galvanizing, tinning, and soldering.
The compound helps remove or disrupt certain metal oxides and prepares surfaces for coating operations.
Manufacturers often combine ammonium chloride with zinc chloride in industrial flux formulations.
These applications support:
-
Hot-dip galvanizing
-
Metal surface preparation
-
Soldering operations
-
Tin coating
-
Selected electroplating processes
Pharmaceutical Applications
Pharmaceutical manufacturers use appropriately qualified ammonium chloride in selected medicinal formulations.
Historically, some cough preparations have used it as an expectorant. Certain medical applications also use it as an acidifying agent under professional supervision.
Industrial-grade ammonium chloride is not suitable for pharmaceutical use unless it meets the relevant pharmaceutical specifications and regulatory requirements.
Food Industry Applications
Food manufacturers use approved food-grade ammonium chloride in certain products, including selected confectionery and bakery formulations.
It may function as a flavoring ingredient, acidity regulator, or yeast nutrient, depending on the application and local regulations.
Food manufacturers must verify food-grade certification, permitted uses, and applicable regulatory limits.
Laboratory Applications
Laboratories use ammonium chloride in analytical chemistry, buffer preparation, and chemical experiments.
Researchers may also use it in selected cooling mixtures and chemical synthesis processes.
Laboratory personnel should follow established handling procedures and consult the Safety Data Sheet before use.
Battery Manufacturing
Ammonium chloride serves as an electrolyte component in traditional zinc-carbon batteries.
It supports ionic conductivity and contributes to the electrochemical reactions that generate electrical energy.
Modern battery manufacturers select electrolyte compositions according to battery design, performance requirements, and manufacturing specifications.
Electronics and Industrial Processing
Electronics manufacturers use ammonium chloride in selected soldering fluxes and metal treatment formulations.
Other industrial applications include:
-
Textile dyeing and finishing
-
Leather processing
-
Chemical synthesis
-
Electroplating
-
Surface treatment
-
Specialty chemical formulations
Manufacturers should verify material compatibility and technical requirements before selecting a grade.
Technical Specifications – Ammonium Chloride
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Ammonium Chloride |
| Chemical Formula | NH₄Cl |
| CAS Number | 12125-02-9 |
| Molecular Weight | 53.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Nitrogen Content | Approximately 26.2% |
| Density | Approximately 1.53 g/cm³ |
| Water Solubility | Approximately 37 g/100 g water at 20°C |
| pH | Mildly acidic in aqueous solution |
| Thermal Behavior | Decomposes/dissociates upon heating |
| Packaging | 25 kg bags and jumbo bags |
These are general chemical properties, not a batch-specific product specification. Buyers should request the applicable TDS and Certificate of Analysis for guaranteed purity and impurity limits.
Packaging and Worldwide Export
ATDM supplies ammonium chloride in packaging suitable for international industrial transportation.
Available packaging options include:
-
25 kg industrial bags
-
Jumbo bags for bulk shipments
-
Palletized cargo upon request
-
Container and truck shipments
Our export team coordinates packaging and transportation arrangements according to order volume and destination requirements.
Storage and Safety Guidelines
Ammonium chloride requires appropriate handling and storage procedures.
Storage Recommendations
-
Store the product in a dry, well-ventilated warehouse.
-
Keep bags tightly closed.
-
Protect the material from moisture.
-
Keep it away from incompatible substances.
-
Avoid excessive heat and uncontrolled dust generation.
Personal Protective Equipment
Workers should use appropriate protective gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection when exposure conditions require them.
First Aid Measures
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for several minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Skin contact: Wash the affected area with water and remove contaminated clothing.
Inhalation: Move the affected person to fresh air. Seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms develop.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Contact a poison center or medical professional for advice.
Always follow the current product Safety Data Sheet.
Buy Ammonium Chloride from ATDM
ATDM supplies ammonium chloride for fertilizer production, metalworking, chemical manufacturing, and other industrial applications.
We support international buyers with competitive quotations, suitable packaging, technical documentation, and export coordination.
Contact ATDM today to request ammonium chloride prices, product specifications, packaging details, and shipping availability.
A: Ammonium chloride is a white crystalline salt made up of ammonium (NH₄⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions. It is commonly produced via the reaction of ammonia and hydrochloric acid or generated as a by-product in processes like the Solvay method.
A: It serves as a key nitrogen source in fertilizers, is used as a flux in metal-treatment (e.g., galvanising, soldering), acts as an electrolyte in dry cell batteries, and finds use in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
A: Important parameters include purity (ammonium chloride content), moisture/hygroscopic behaviour, particle size and form (powder or granule), absence of unwanted impurities, correct packaging to avoid moisture uptake, and appropriate documentation such as certificate of analysis.