Hydrofluoric acid is a corrosive that is commonly used in industrial applications. It is used as a cleaning agent in the petroleum industry, in the production of high-octane fuel, glass etching, germicides, dyes, tanning, and fireproofing material, as well as in rust removal.
Hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen fluoride in water, has many uses in research laboratories. HF can be used to etch silicon for semiconductor work and can also be used to dissolve rock samples.
Hydrogen fluoride is used to make refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high-octane gasoline, aluminum, plastics, electrical components, and fluorescent light bulbs.