| HS Code | 108591 |
| Name | Ammonium Chloride |
| Chemical Formula | NH4Cl |
| Cas Registry Number | 12125-02-9 |
| Molar Mass | 53.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid or powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.527 g/cm3 at 25 °C |
| Melting Point | 338 °C (sublimes/decomposes) |
| Solubility In Water | 372 g/L at 20 °C |
| Ph 5 Aqueous Solution | 4.5-5.0 |
As an accredited Ammonium Chloride factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Ammonium Chloride, 25 kg net, supplied in sealed polythene-lined woven polypropylene bags, with hazard labels and handling precautions. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: Ammonium Chloride packed in palletized bags, loaded evenly, secured, protected from moisture and contamination. |
| Shipping | Ammonium Chloride is typically shipped as a non-dangerous good in sealed polyethylene-lined bags, fiber drums, or bulk containers. Protect from moisture and humidity to prevent caking. Avoid generating dust during loading; use dry, ventilated conditions. Ensure proper labeling and documentation, especially when shipping in large quantities. |
| Storage | Store ammonium chloride in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep containers tightly sealed, as the salt is hygroscopic and can cake. Separate from strong oxidizers, alkalis, and foodstuffs to prevent hazardous reactions or contamination. Ensure proper labeling and local regulations compliance. |
| Shelf Life | Ammonium chloride has a shelf life of about five years when stored in a cool, dry, sealed container. |
In Leclanché zinc-carbon dry cell manufacturing, ammonium chloride of 99.5% minimum purity and iron content below 30 ppm is dissolved into a paste electrolyte that also contains zinc chloride, water, and starch/flour thickener. The addition ratio in production-scale paste mixing is 18–25 wt% NH4Cl relative to total electrolyte paste, with ZnCl₂ maintained at 8–15 wt%, water at 40–60 wt%, and the remainder comprising modified corn starch and a polyvinyl alcohol film-former. Industry compliance for cells destined for export is assessed under IEC 60086-2:2021 for dimensional and discharge performance, while the paste mixture itself is controlled internally against viscosity 2,000–5,000 mPa·s measured by Brookfield viscometer at 25°C using spindle 4 at 20 rpm. Production process includes high-shear dispersion of MnO₂ depolarizer with acetylene black in a planetary mixer of 300 L working volume, followed by electrolyte injection into the zinc can through a piston filler with ±1.0 g dosing tolerance. The cell is then sealed with a wax-resin sealant and crimped. Terminal finished product types include R6P, R14P, R20P zinc-carbon cells and multi-cell 6F22 batteries. Electric contact with the zinc can must be isolated from the carbon rod to prevent localized pH drop below 4.0 during intermittent drain.
| Parameter | Low-drain R20P | High-drain R6P | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonium chloride | 20–25 wt% | 18–22 wt% | Ion chromatography |
| Zinc chloride | 8–12 wt% | 12–15 wt% | Titrimetry |
| Water | 50–60 wt% | 45–55 wt% | Karl Fischer |
| Starch/film-former | 5–10 wt% | 4–8 wt% | Gravimetric ash |
| Paste viscosity at 25°C | 3,000–5,000 mPa·s | 2,000–4,000 mPa·s | Brookfield spindle 4 at 20 rpm |
When steel exits the hydrochloric acid pickling bath, surface chloride and iron salts must be converted into a continuous flux film before zinc bath immersion. In hot-dip galvanizing, flux solutions are prepared with total salt concentrations of 350–550 g/L and a zinc chloride to ammonium chloride weight ratio of 3:1 to 4:1; the double salt ZnCl₂·3NH₄Cl forms in solution and depresses the flux film melting point to 260–280°C. The pH is maintained between 3.8 and 5.0 using hydrochloric acid or ammonium hydroxide, because below 3.5 excessive zinc pickles into the flux and above 5.2 iron hydroxide precipitates onto the workpiece. Compliance of the finished coating is inspected under ISO 1461:2022 Clause 7.2 for thickness uniformity and ASTM A123/A123M-17 for coating mass. Downstream process parameters include immersion in the flux bath at 60–80°C for 30–90 s, forced-air drying at 100–150°C to a film thickness below 25 µm, and transfer into a zinc bath at 445–455°C. Films thicker than 25 µm generate zinc ash and splatter during immersion, while incomplete drying causes localized steam eruptions at the bath interface. Ammonium chloride decomposition at the zinc bath releases HCl and NH₃, stripping residual oxide and maintaining interfacial surface tension. Terminal finished product types include structural steel sections, transmission line hardware, fasteners, and ductile iron castings.
| Parameter | Operating window | Failure/processing consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Total salt concentration | 350–550 g/L | Below 350 g/L poor surface wetting; above 550 g/L crystallization on cooled film |
| ZnCl₂:NH₄Cl ratio | 3:1–4:1 | Below 3:1 excess fuming at bath; above 4:1 high viscosity and film cracking |
| pH | 3.8–5.0 | Below 3.5 zinc pickles; above 5.2 iron hydroxide precipitates |
| Flux film thickness | 10–25 µm | Above 25 µm zinc ash and splatter; below 10 µm oxidation spots |
| Drying temperature | 100–150°C | Below 100°C residual water causes steam eruption in 445°C zinc bath |
Temporary clay stabilization in tight-gas and unconventional oil well completions is carried out by dosing ammonium chloride into the base aqueous phase before polymer hydration because divalent cations in the mix water reduce guar hydration rate. The addition ratio generally falls between 0.5 wt% and 2.0 wt% of the stimulation water, with the lower end applied to mixed layers containing 10–15% smectite and the upper end when formation test data from XRD shows 30% or more expandable mixed-layer clay. Compliance is managed through API RP 13B-1:2019 for viscosity and density verification, and any post-fracturing flowback containing ammonium is reported under US state UIC permits rather than as a hazardous waste; produced water discharges follow 40 CFR Part 435. Downstream production process uses a hydraulically driven slurry blender with a positive displacement liquid additive skid capable of 0.1 L/s metering. Ammonium chloride is pre-dissolved in a 20 m³ mixing tank at 2–4°C below ambient to avoid particle fallout. Terminal products include natural gas, tight oil, and produced water regulated under 40 CFR Part 435. Published data for this specific configuration of ammonium chloride as a stand-alone clay stabilizer is limited compared with potassium chloride; field QA therefore relies on clay pack flow tests using 500 mD synthetic Berea cores. Avoid blending with strong alkalis because free ammonia evolves above pH 10.
Paddy rice cultivation differs from chloride-sensitive horticulture because the flooded soil layer dilutes chloride and rice plants tolerate relatively high chloride uptake without leaf scorch. Ammonium chloride, containing 25% nitrogen and 66% chloride, is used as a basal nitrogen source on acid paddy soils with pH 5.0–6.0, at an application rate of 100–180 kg/ha product, not exceeding 250 kg/ha per crop cycle where irrigation water chloride exceeds 150 mg/L. Industry compliance is tied to GB/T 2946-2008 for agricultural-grade ammonium chloride, and EU-bound fertilising products must declare chloride content under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009. Downstream production involves broadcasting onto puddled soil and incorporation to 5–10 cm, followed by maintaining a standing water layer of 2–5 cm to suppress nitrification and reduce chloride leaching. The chloride component inhibits Nitrobacter activity at soil solution chloride above 200 mg/kg, delaying nitrate accumulation and reducing denitrification loss. Terminal finished product type is paddy rice grain, including parboiled rice. The application must be discontinued in chloride-sensitive seedlings and on saline soils with electrical conductivity above 4 dS/m at transplant.
Unlike feed or fertilizer applications, food-grade ammonium chloride must simultaneously satisfy yeast nutrient demand and the characteristic salty-saline flavour profile of salted liquorice confectionery. The addition ratio is 2.0–8.0 wt% of the cooked syrup and protein-flour mass, with moderately salted grades at 2.0–4.0 wt% and heavily salted salmiak at 7.0–8.0 wt%. Compliance is governed by FDA 21 CFR 184.1138 for GRAS status, Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Annex II for E510, and the Food Chemicals Codex for heavy metal limits. Downstream processing requires wheat flour, molasses, sugar, glucose syrup, and liquorice extract to be cooked at 135–145°C in a vacuum boiling pan to 80–85 wt% solids, then cooled below 110°C before ammonium chloride is added through a continuous scraped-surface heat exchanger or a planetary mixer with jacketed cooling. The temperature ceiling is critical because ammonium chloride begins to sublime and can generate localized surface pitting on product molds above 120°C. Final shaping is performed by starch mogul depositing or extrusion into ropes cut to 12–18 mm lengths. Terminal finished product types include salted liquorice pellets, salmiak pastilles, and sugar-panned salmiak pieces. Labeling follows Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 for ammonium chloride content when used as a flavour component.
Urolithiasis caused by struvite precipitation in wethers and intact male small ruminants is managed through dietary cation-anion balance manipulation. Ammonium chloride is incorporated into total mixed rations at 0.6–1.2% of dry matter, with the lower limit applied to long-fed show animals and the upper limit used for high-concentrate feedlot rations where struvite risk is elevated. Feed-grade compliance is recorded under the AAFCO Official Publication ingredient listing and CAS 12125-02-9; EU operators monitor heavy metals under Directive 2002/32/EC and maintain feed hygiene documentation under Regulation (EC) No 183/2005. Downstream production uses a horizontal ribbon mixer with a coefficient of variation below 5% after 10 min of dry mixing, followed by pelleting through a 5 mm die at 65–75°C. Ammonium chloride should not be premixed with molasses because its hygroscopicity forms clumps and creates local acid pockets. Palatability decline becomes measurable above 1.2% inclusion and feed refusal is observed above 1.5% in some flocks. Terminal finished product types include pelleted lamb grower feeds, goat mineral supplements, and show-animal maintenance rations.
For limed pelts with a swollen hide substance and residual calcium hydroxide at pH 8.0–12.5, beamhouse deliming must reduce pH to 8.0–8.5 without generating ammonia gas; ammonium chloride at 0.5–1.5% by limed pelt weight is introduced into the deliming drum at 25–30°C in a 50–80% float. The ammonium ion buffers the pelt pH while chloride forms soluble calcium chloride that is rinsed from the hide structure. Compliance of tanneries is governed by national permits under Directive 2010/75/EU, with BAT conclusions for tanning requiring nitrification of ammonium-N in effluent and control of the BOD:N ratio at 100:5 in biological treatment. Downstream process sequence places ammonium chloride deliming before bating with 0.2–0.5% alkaline protease enzyme in the same drum, followed by pickling for chrome tanning or wet-white processing. If residual lime is not fully neutralized and pH rises above 9.5, ammonium ion converts to free ammonia and causes grain damage; sodium metabisulfite or ammonium sulfate blends are used to buffer the shift. Terminal finished product types include chrome-tanned upper leather, garment leather, and wet-white upholstery leather.
Competitive Ammonium Chloride prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8615651039172 or mail to sales9@bouling-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8615651039172
Email: sales9@bouling-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl, CAS 12125-02-9) is an inorganic chloride salt manufactured by direct reaction of ammonia gas with hydrogen chloride or recovered from ammonia-soda process liquors. The anhydrous solid has molar mass 53.49 g/mol, density 1.527 g/cm³, and thermal dissociation onset near 337.8°C at atmospheric pressure. Aqueous solubility increases from 37.2 g/100 mL at 20°C to 77.3 g/100 mL at 100°C; dissolution is endothermic and produces a cooling saline taste. Technical supply is differentiated by assay, particle morphology, residual moisture, and impurity profile. Common commercial descriptors include technical crystalline, anticaking granular, milled electrolyte powder, USP/FCC grade, and ACS reagent grade.
Model designations are not globally harmonized; trade data sheets commonly distinguish grades such as NH4Cl 99.5% tech, NH4Cl USP, NH4Cl FCC, and NH4Cl ACS. Specification limits vary by end use: technical-grade material is frequently controlled to assay ≥99.0% on dried basis and moisture ≤0.5% for free-flowing granulated product, while USP monograph material is specified at 99.5–100.5% on dried basis. Particle-size specifications are application-dependent; flux-grade crystals may be sieve-controlled at 100–600 µm, and electrolyte-grade powder is typically specified below 150 µm. The salt is hygroscopic above a reported critical relative humidity near 79% at 25°C; hopper caking and screw-feeder bridging are recognized failure modes in unvented silos when ambient humidity exceeds that threshold. Production lines use vibratory bin activators, steep hopper walls, and desiccant breathers to maintain flow. Anticaking additives are limited to technical grades because pharmacopeial and food monographs may restrict such additions.
In primary zinc–carbon cells classified under IEC 60086-2, ammonium chloride is used with zinc chloride in aqueous paste electrolytes. The NH4Cl contributes ionic conductivity and stabilizes pH in the manganese dioxide cathode paste, but its conductivity is lower than potassium hydroxide; the system is therefore assigned to low-to-moderate drain applications rather than high-rate automotive or uninterruptible-power service. Paste formulation is sensitive to NH4Cl particle size and moisture. Production observations indicate that excessive fines below 75 µm increase paste viscosity in sigma-blade mixers, while oversize crystals above 250 µm cause separator paper puncture and local dry spots. Residual moisture in the electrolyte powder above 0.5% shifts rheology and requires drying before blending. During elevated-temperature storage, trace hydrolysis of ammonium chloride produces hydrogen chloride, which accelerates zinc can corrosion; this is mitigated by lacquered cans, passivated zinc, and tight control of heavy-metal impurities. High current demand creates concentration polarization at the cathode and severe voltage depression; the electrolyte also loses performance below −10°C unless zinc chloride concentration is increased. The technical limitation is the reason zinc–carbon cells are used in clocks, remote controls, and intermittent flashlights but not in starter or traction batteries.
In hot-dip galvanizing, straight ammonium chloride is less common than its double salt with zinc chloride. A flux bath at 60–80°C with total salt concentration controlled between 300 g/L and 600 g/L is applied after degreasing and pickling. The flux ratio is maintained between 2:1 and 3:1 ZnCl2:NH4Cl by mass; phase separation or heavy ash appears when the ratio moves outside this range. Immersion in zinc at 450–460°C thermally dissociates ammonium chloride, releasing ammonia and hydrogen chloride that strip residual iron oxide film. Flux pH is controlled at 4.5–5.5 with ammonia or hydrochloric acid; above 5.5, zinc hydroxychloride precipitates and creates rough zinc coverage. Air spargers or circulating pumps keep solids in suspension, and hood capture velocities of 0.5–1.0 m/s across the immersion zone are used to capture fume. Captured off-gas passes to a wet scrubber with pH-controlled liquor maintained at 7–9 to absorb both HCl and ammonia. Compared with zinc chloride-only fluxes, ammonium chloride-containing flux lowers fusion viscosity and improves oxide removal, but residues are hygroscopic and require immediate water quench and conversion coating after withdrawal from the bath.
Acid zinc electroplating uses NH4Cl as a conducting salt and complexing agent in chloride-based electrolytes. The plating bath is typically maintained at pH 5.0–5.8 with boric acid or dilute ammonia; excursions above pH 6.0 reduce cathode efficiency and generate zinc hydroxide deposits. High-purity ammonium chloride is required because iron and copper contamination produce pitting and dark chromate conversion layers. Production lines use continuous filtration at 5–10 µm nominal retention and activated carbon treatment to remove organic decomposition products. For soldering of copper, brass, and steel, ammonium chloride-containing fluxes are highly active and leave hygroscopic, corrosive residues. Halide contamination is verified with IPC TM-650 2.3.25 during process qualification. Unlike rosin-based no-clean flux systems, NH4Cl-containing soldering flux requires inline aqueous cleaning. Typical cleaning equipment uses heated deionized water at 50–60°C with spray pressure 30–50 psi and final rinse resistivity above 1 MΩ·cm to prevent electrochemical migration on printed-circuit assemblies. Published line-specific data for complex board geometries is limited; therefore, cleaning time and nozzle pressure are validated for each component height profile.
In thermosetting urea-formaldehyde adhesives for particleboard and plywood, ammonium chloride is used as a latent acid catalyst. Addition is commonly controlled at 0.5–3.0% on resin solids; during hot pressing at 110–150°C, the salt lowers adhesive pH and accelerates methylol condensation. High additions generate free formaldehyde and reduce adhesion; moisture in wood and activator purity affect curing speed. Production lines meter ammonium chloride solution with continuous in-line pH monitoring of the adhesive mix because batch viscosity shifts when the salt is added too rapidly. The salt is not used in phenol-formaldehyde resole systems because pH control differs. This remains a significant industrial use, but published activation-energy values vary with resin formulation.
When pharmaceutical or food monograph compliance is required, ammonium chloride is controlled to substantially tighter impurity limits than flux or fertilizer material. The USP-NF monograph specifies assay 99.5–100.5% on the dried basis and includes controls for sulfate, iron, heavy metals, and residue on ignition. In food systems, ammonium chloride is recognized as a direct food substance under FDA 21 CFR 184.1138 and is listed in the EU as food additive E510. Functional use is limited to yeast nutrition, pH adjustment, and specific salty liquorice formulations; the chloride content makes it unsuitable for low-sodium claims. Tablet manufacturing with USP-grade ammonium chloride often uses dry granulation or roller compaction because aqueous wet granulation can dissolve the salt at binder contact points and cause capping. Dissolution is endothermic; the salt can be used in compact formulations where a cooling mouthfeel is required, but the saline taste and chloride content are limiting boundaries. Ammonium chloride is incompatible with strong alkalis, sodium hypochlorite, and other oxidizers because ammonia or chloramine gases can be released; it must not be blended with alkali metal hydroxides or hypochlorite sanitizers in enclosed process equipment.
Ammonium chloride supplies 26.19% nitrogen and 66.28% chloride by mass. It may replace ammonium sulfate only where sulfur is supplied separately and crops tolerate chloride accumulation. In rainfed rice, coconut, and oil palm, the ammonium ion binds to cation-exchange sites and is less prone to urea-type volatilization on calcareous soils, but the chloride anion raises soil electrical conductivity and cannot be retained by the soil. Chloride-sensitive crops such as tobacco, grape, potato, and stone fruit are excluded because chloride degrades leaf burn characteristics, starch quality, or fruit dry matter. The acidifying effect is comparable to ammonium sulfate on a per-nitrogen basis when nitrification is complete; soil monitoring uses saturated paste electrical conductivity and pH rather than total chloride alone. Fertilizer spreaders and blend lines require corrosion-resistant hoppers, augers, and coating on contact surfaces because damp NH4Cl promotes carbon steel corrosion. National fertilizer standards in some Asian markets define moisture content and granule size for compound fertilizers containing NH4Cl; published regional trial data for specific new crop systems is limited.
The table compares formula-derived composition and reported critical relative humidity values for ammonium chloride and common alternatives. Selection is determined by whether the process requires chloride activity, sulfur nutrition, neutral pH potassium, or high-concentration nitrogen.
| Property | NH4Cl | (NH4)2SO4 | NH4NO3 | KCl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molar mass | 53.49 g/mol | 132.14 g/mol | 80.04 g/mol | 74.55 g/mol |
| Nitrogen content | 26.19% | 21.20% | 35.00% | — |
| Chloride content | 66.28% | — | — | 47.55% |
| Reported critical relative humidity at 30°C | 79.4% | 81.0% | 59.4% | 84.2% |
| Typical 5% solution pH | 4.5–5.5 | 5.0–6.0 | 5.0–6.0 | 6.8–7.2 |
Differences in solution behavior matter in process design. Ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate both acidify, but ammonium chloride contributes chloride and releases NH3 under alkaline conditions. Ammonium nitrate supplies more nitrogen per kilogram but is oxidizing and subject to storage and transport restrictions. Potassium chloride is neutral in solution and supplies potassium without nitrogen, but it does not provide the fluxing acid-release chemistry of NH4Cl. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are deliquescent and often used for dust suppression or ice melt; ammonium chloride is not suitable for those outdoor uses because its decomposition above 337.8°C and ammonia release under alkaline conditions create off-gas control requirements.
At atmospheric pressure, ammonium chloride does not exhibit a stable liquid phase; it dissociates endothermically into ammonia and hydrogen chloride at an onset near 337.8°C. This property is useful in fluxing but imposes off-gas handling constraints in continuous furnaces and dryers. The fume deposits on cool duct walls and filter media, which makes dry baghouse collection unsuitable unless preceded by a scrubber. Wet scrubber liquor is maintained at pH 7–9 with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate to absorb both gases, and scrubber shells are fabricated from polypropylene or fiberglass-reinforced plastic because the mixed gas is corrosive to carbon steel. In enclosed drying operations, NH4Cl dust carried into hot zones can dissociate and recombine on cooler equipment surfaces, causing white deposits and pressure-drop increases. Process air velocities and moisture content are specified to keep the salt below its critical relative humidity; near 79% at 25°C, surface adsorption initiates caking. When ammonium chloride is heated with strong oxidizers, hazardous gas release is possible; contact with sodium hypochlorite or hot nitric acid must be excluded from storage and blending areas.
Differentiation from other chloride salts is based on cation function and thermal behavior. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride do not release ammonia under alkaline conditions and do not supply nitrogen. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride release heat on dissolution or are more hygroscopic; ammonium chloride cools the solution and has a moderate critical relative humidity. In metal finishing, zinc ammonium chloride double salts have replaced straight ammonium chloride in many flux formulations because they produce lower fuming and more uniform coverage; single-salt ammonium chloride remains relevant where maximum chloride activity and existing scrubbing capacity justify its use. In fertilizer use, the product is positioned as a nitrogen carrier for chloride-tolerant cropping systems rather than a general-purpose nitrogen source. In dry cell applications, the salt remains in production for low-rate zinc–carbon cells under IEC 60086-2, but it is not used where alkaline electrolyte performance is required.