or muriatic acid
Solution in water of hydrogen chloride (HCl), a gaseous inorganic compound.
It is a strong acid , virtually completely dissociated (see dissociation ) into hydronium cation s (H 3 O + ) and chloride anion s (Cl - ), and is corrosive and irritating. The acid reacts with most metal s, to produce hydrogen and the metal's chloride, and with oxide s, hydroxide s, and many salt s. It is used extensively in industrial processing of metals and concentrating of some ores; in boiler scale removal, food processing, metal cleaning, and pickling; and as a chemical intermediate, laboratory reagent, and alcohol denaturant (see peptic ulcer s.