Mercury (Quicksilver, Hg) — CAS 7439-97-6

⚠ SAFETY NOTICE: Mercury is a highly toxic liquid metal that emits toxic vapor at room temperature. Strict PPE, ventilation, and spill-control procedures are mandatory during handling. This product must be stored, transported, and used only by licensed professionals in compliance with local hazardous-material regulations.

1. Product Introduction

Mercury (chemical symbol Hg), also known as quicksilver, is the only metallic element that is liquid at room temperature and pressure. It is a silvery-white, free-flowing liquid metal with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, a very high density (13.54 g/mL), and the ability to form amalgams with gold, silver, tin, zinc, and many other metals. Supplied in analytical reagent (AR, ≥99.9%), guaranteed reagent (GR, ≥99.99%), and industrial (≥99.5%) grades, it is a specialized raw material for precision instruments, chlor-alkali chemistry, metallurgical extraction, and laboratory analysis.

2. Core Specification Table

3. Features & Advantages

• Only liquid metal at room temperature: Unique fluidity and wetting properties for precision instruments.
• Extremely high density (13.54 g/mL): 13.5 times the density of water — ideal for manometers and barometers.
• High purity options: AR (99.9%) and GR (99.99%) grades meet the strictest analytical and scientific requirements.
• Excellent electrical & thermal conductivity: Used in arc rectifiers, vapor lamps, and switching devices.
• Amalgam-forming capability: Dissolves noble metals for extraction and dental restoration.
• Well-characterized reagent: Long-standing reference material for polarography and Kjeldahl analysis.
• Documented batch quality: COA supplied with every shipment; third-party reports (SGS, ITS) available.

Hazard note: Mercury vapor is odorless but highly toxic to the nervous system and kidneys; it evaporates continuously at room temperature.

4. Applications & Usage

Instrument manufacturing:

• Thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers, vacuum pumps, flow meters, and mercury switches.

Metallurgical extraction:

• Gold and silver recovery by amalgamation (historical artisanal and industrial process).

Chemical industry:

• Oxidation catalysts; chlor-alkali brine electrolysis (formerly dominant); production of mercury salts and reagents.

Laboratory analysis:

• Kjeldahl digestion catalyst; dropping mercury electrode for polarography; blood non-protein nitrogen testing.

Electrical industry:

• Mercury arc rectifiers, mercury-vapor lamps, and quartz UV lamps.

Nuclear & military:

• Coolant in specialized nuclear reactors; atomic radiation-shielding material.

Medical (strictly controlled):

• Dental amalgam fillings; historical use in medicines is now banned in most jurisdictions.

How to use:

1. Handle only inside a fume hood or approved mercury-control enclosure; wear nitrile gloves, safety goggles, and a vapor respirator.
2. Never heat mercury openly; vapor pressure rises sharply with temperature.
3. Use dedicated spill trays under containers; clean spills immediately with approved mercury spill kits (never a vacuum or broom).
4. For amalgamation: contact clean metal surfaces under controlled conditions; collect residual mercury carefully.
5. Dispose of waste mercury per local hazardous-waste regulations — never drain to sewer or trash.

5. Packaging

• Standard packing: Sealed HDPE or glass bottles placed inside iron drums or wooden cases for impact protection.
• Common sizes: 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2.5 kg.
• Large industrial volumes use special sealed metal containers with leak-proof design.
• Custom purity grades and package sizes available on request.

6. Storage Conditions

• Store in a cool, ventilated, dedicated hazardous-material warehouse, sealed tightly.
• Keep away from fire, heat sources, and direct sunlight.
• Separated from food, feed, acids, and oxidizers.
• Place mercury collection trays under all containers to contain spills.
• Monitor airborne mercury vapor concentration regularly; maintain below occupational exposure limits.
• Shelf life: unlimited if stored sealed and uncontaminated.

7. Transportation Requirements

• UN No.: 2809 (Mercury).
• Hazard Class: Class 6.1 (Toxic) and Class 8 (Corrosive) under applicable regulations.
• Transport in special dangerous-goods vehicles; packages must be shockproof, collision-proof, and leak-proof.
• Avoid high-temperature exposure during shipment.
• Strictly prohibited from mixed transport with food, feed, or oxidizers.
• All required shipping documents (MSDS, COA, dangerous-goods declaration) supplied with each shipment.

8. Other Information

• Quality standard: Manufactured under ISO9001-aligned quality control; every batch released with a Certificate of Analysis.
• Grades available: AR (≥99.9%), GR (≥99.99%), industrial (≥99.5%); custom purity and packaging on request.
• MOQ: Laboratory grade 100 g – 500 g; industrial volumes negotiable.
• Delivery time: Regular products 7–15 working days.
• Documents available: COA, MSDS, TDS, RoHS/REACH compliance, and third-party test reports (SGS, ITS) on request.