# What is the most corrosive "acid" known? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 23, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195 "2003-08-23T18:29:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/21 "2003-08-24T16:09:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tapioca Dextrin \* > \*\*You do not want to mess with [Hydrofluroic acid](http://www.mednets.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/articles_hydrogen_fluoride_poisoning_and_exposure_toxicology-Hydrogen-Fluoride/active_search/1/get_search_results.htm) (it’s OK, no gruseome pics). > > There is no substance that burns through several inches of steel in a few seconds. I believe you need a 1920’s style death ray fo that. \*\* I don’t know whether you would call this a “substance,” but the jet from an explosive shaped-charge will burn through a lot of armor in milliseconds. And back on the subject, for a good layman-accessible rundown on the dangers of flourine see _Death In The Laboratory_ by Isaac Asimov. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/22 "2003-08-24T17:06:51Z")
**bizzwire** Yes there can be negative pH values. Speaking just off the cuff, I believe 1 molar Hydrochloric Acid is 0 pH. 10 molar HCl is -1 pH. ---
**Author:** ![patchbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/dc4da7/32.png) [@patchbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/patchbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/23 "2003-08-24T17:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by wolf\_meister \* > \*\ ***bizzwire** > Yes there can be negative pH values. Speaking just off the cuff, I believe 1 molar Hydrochloric Acid is 0 pH. 10 molar HCl is -1 pH. \*\* I feel somewhat neglected here as on this thread I’ve already posted a link to [Iron Mountain](http://www.usgs.gov/public/press/public_affairs/press_releases/pr1178m.html) which has -3.6 pH levels and no one seems to have noticed. ☹ Ah, well… –Patch ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/24 "2003-08-24T17:28:06Z")
My sense of humor. ---
**Author:** ![cletus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cletus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cletus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/25 "2003-08-24T19:25:36Z")
Poor **patchbunny**. Well, I read your post and liked that quote. It seems like a description for some type of FPS or a movie. Can you imagine working in a cave with rocks and acid constantly falling around you? Not to mention the giant rocks MADE of acid. I hope those guys are being well paid. Actually, that might be kinda fun. I wonder if there are heaps of gold at the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195/26 "2003-08-24T20:00:12Z")
Scientists have actually invented the strongest possible acid several times, but they can never patent it because… They don’t have anything strong enough to keep it in! (old joke) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-corrosive-acid-known/197195.md?page=1)