What is Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃)?

Ferric Chloride, also known as Iron(III) Chloride, is a dark brown to black crystalline solid with the chemical formula FeCl₃. It is highly soluble in water, forming a yellow to brown acidic solution that is widely used as a coagulant in water and wastewater treatment.

Ferric Chloride is a powerful oxidizing agent and effectively removes suspended solids, heavy metals, and phosphorus by destabilizing particles and forming flocs that can be easily separated. It is also used in metal surface treatment, etching, and industrial chemical processes.

USES AND APPLICATIONS

INDUSTRIES

Ferric Chloride is widely used in:

• Municipal water and wastewater treatment (as a primary coagulant)

• Industrial effluent treatment (removal of contaminants and heavy metals)

• Electronics and PCB manufacturing (as an etching agent for copper)

• Metallurgy and metal finishing (pickling and surface preparation)

• Pigment and dye manufacturing

• Laboratory reagent in analytical chemistry

KEY ADVANTAGES

•  Strong coagulation and phosphorus removal capability

• Effective in a wide pH range

• Works well even in cold or turbid waters

• Cost-effective for large-scale treatment plants

• Acts as an oxidizer and disinfectant in some application.