| Physical Description |
Formic acid appears as a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Flash point 156 °F. Density 10.2 lb / gal. Corrosive to metals and tissue. |
| Color/Form |
Colorless fuming liquid |
| Odor |
Pungent, penetrating odor |
| Taste |
SOUR |
| Boiling Point |
213.3 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) |
| Melting Point |
47.1 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Flash Point |
156 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Solubility |
greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 70 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| Density |
1.22 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink |
| Vapor Density |
1.6 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air) |
| Vapor Pressure |
35 mmHg at 68 °F ; 200 mmHg at 142.5 °F (NTP, 1992) |
| LogP |
-0.54 |
| Henry's Law Constant |
Henry's Law constant = 1.67X10-7 atm-cu m/mol at 25 °C |
| Stability/Shelf Life |
May deteriorate in normal storage and cause hazard. |
| Autoignition Temperature |
1114 °F (USCG, 1999) |
| Decomposition |
The substance decomposes on heating and on contact with strong acids (sulfuric acid) producing carbon monoxide. |
| Viscosity |
1.607 mPas at 25 °C |
| Corrosivity |
Corrosive to metals |
| Heat of Combustion |
254.6 kJ/mol at 25 °C (liquid) |
| Heat of Vaporization |
20.10 kJ/mol at 25 °C |
| Surface Tension |
37.13 mN/m at 25 °C |
| Ionization Potential |
11.05 eV |
| Odor Threshold |
Odor Threshold Low: 1.6 [mmHg] Odor Threshold High: 340.0 [mmHg] Odor threshold from AIHA |
| Refractive Index |
Index of refraction: 1.3714 at 20 °C/D |
| Dissociation Constants |
3.742 |
| Relative Evaporation Rate |
2.1 (Butyl acetate = 1) |
| Kovats Retention Index |
543 512 512 495 490 |
| Other Experimental Properties |
Strong reducing agent |
| Chemical Classes |
Other Classes -> Organic Acids |
