Expert: Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. - 1/30/2005

Question
Is there such a thing as gelled muriatic acid?  

Is naval jelly just a diluted form of muriatic acid?  If so can it be strenghtened by adding a little more muriatic acid?

I am trying to clean a small, defined area of concrete and want the muriatic acid in a controllable (gelled) form.  

thanks

Answer
Naval jelly is phosphoric acid (the acid in soft drinks, but more concentrated) in most cases. Some things called naval jelly can have weaker acids. Muriatic acid is hydrocloric acid.  I don't know of a gel form.  It would be very difficult to make. Here is a product (HD-24) that claims to be "gel like".  
http://www.surfacegeltek.com/Products-HD24.asp

Try some naval jelly first if you want a gel or put the muriatic on a rag and use the rag (make sure you are wearing gloves and goggles when using any acid product).  Don't add muriatic to naval jelly.  It would be a mess and also harmful vapors may be released.

You can find much more by doing searches at www.google.com



Henry Boyter, Jr.
PhD Chemist

http://www.itt.edu/staff/boyter/links/index.html
The opinions expressed are those of Dr. Boyter and
are provided for informational purposes only and
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