Sulphur Hexafluoride - SF6

What is Sulphur Hexafluoride?

• Sulphur hexafluoride is an inorganic gas made up of sulphur and fluorine.
• Sulphur hexafluoride is one of the most stable gases known.
• Sulphur hexafluoride is a very dense gas so it will mainly reside in the lowest layers of air. Exposure will be primarily occupational.
• Sulphur hexafluoride is a weaker eluent than carbon dioxide and is difficult to obtain in adequate purity.
• It provides high dielectric strength and excellent arc-quenching properties.
• The high heat absorbing ability makes sulphur hexafluoride a strong greenhouse gas with a CO₂ equivalent contribution to the global warming potential.

Other names – hexafluoro-λ⁶-sulphane

Table of Contents

• • • Sulphur Hexafluoride Structure –SF₆
    • Physical Properties of Sulphur Hexafluoride– SF₆
    • Chemical Properties of Sulphur Hexafluoride– SF₆
    • Uses of Sulphur Hexafluoride– SF₆

Sulphur Hexafluoride Structure – SF₆

Physical Properties of Sulphur Hexafluoride – SF₆

Chemical Properties of Sulphur Hexafluoride – SF₆

• • • Sulphur hexafluoride dissolves in water and forms sulphuric acid and hydrogen sulphide. The chemical equation is given below.
      SF₆ + 4H₂O → H₂SO₄ + 6HF
    • Sulphur hexafluoride reacts with a base like sodium hydroxide and forms sodium sulphate, sodium fluoride and water. The chemical equation is given below.
      SF₆ + 8NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 6NaF + 4H₂O

Uses of Sulphur Hexafluoride – SF₆

• • Used in magnesium manufacturing as a cover gas and in certain semiconductor production.
  • Used as a dating tool and as a tracer of igneous and volcanic fluids in groundwater.
  • Used as an electrical insulation, arc quenching and cooling medium in electrical switchgear, transformers and substations.
  • Used as etching gasses for plasma etching or as cleaning gasses for cleaning chambers after the etching process in the semiconductor industry.