This product has historical factory records. Recorded pack sizes and purity can be used as a supply reference, while project-specific availability is confirmed by inquiry.
-134 °F (NIOSH, 2024)
-134 °F for anhydrous form (EPA, 1998)
-92 °C
-134 °F
Boiling Point
-6 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
-3.1 °F at 760 mmHg ; commercial aqueous formaldehyde boils at 205 °F (EPA, 1998)
214 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)
-19.5 °C
Boiling point: - 19.1 °C /Formaldehyde 37% uninhibited/
Density
0.815 at -4 °F anhydrous form (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
1.08 at 77 °F (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink
0.815 g/cu cm at -20 °C
Relative density (water = 1): 0.8
1.04(relative gas density)
Physical Description
Solids containing varying amounts of formaldehyde, probably as paraformaldehyde (polymers of formula HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about 30). A hazard to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment.
Formaldehyde, solution, flammable appears as a colorless aqueous solution of formaldehyde, which is a gas at ordinary conditions. Has a pungent irritating odor. Flash point varies from 122 to 141 °F. Denser than water. The vapors are heavier than air and are highly irritating to the nose. Toxic if swallowed. Contact can cause severe injury to the skin accompanied by drying, cracking, and scaling. Used to make plastics, other chemicals, and fertilizers. Used as a preservative and a corrosion inhibitor. Rate of onset: Immediate Persistence: Hours Odor threshold: 1 ppm Source/use/other hazard: Disinfection/germicide; fungicide; textile; health care (tissue fixing).
Formaldehyde, solutions (formalin) (corrosive) appears as a colorless liquid with a pungent irritating odor. Contains 37-50% formaldehyde by mass and varying amounts of methanol, added to prevent precipitation of formaldehyde polymers (formaldehyde exists in solution as CH2(OH)2 and its polymers HO(CH2O)xH where x averages about three). Formalin free of methanol is also shipped but must be kept warm (about 30 °C (86 °F)) to prevent polymerization. Pure formaldehyde, a gas, is not handled commercially because it tends to polymerize exothermally and may ignite. Vapor from formalin solution is flammable and an explosion hazard when exposed to flame or heat. Skin and eye irritant. Confirmed carcinogen.
Gas or Vapor; Liquid
Nearly colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor; Formalin is an aqueous solution that is 37% formaldehyde by weight; inhibited solutions contain 6-12 % methyl alcohol. [NIOSH] Sold as water solutions containing 37%, 44%, or 50% formaldehyde; [ACGIH]
Appearance
Nearly colorless gas [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution]. /Pure formaldehyde/
Colorless gas at ordinary temperatures
Clear, water-white, very slightly acid, gas or liquid.
Clear, colorless or nearly colorless liquid /Formaldehyde solution/