SODIUM NITRATE (tech grade), 99%, kg
4.50 €
Sodium nitrate, CAS 7631-99-4, Peru saltpeter, INCI SODIUM NITRATE, soda niter, cubic niter.
Parameter | Attribute |
Sodium nitrate | Peru saltpeter, soda niter, cubic niter |
Formula | NaNO3 |
Structure | ![]() ![]() |
IUPAC | Sodium nitrate |
INCI | SODIUM NITRATE |
CAS | 7631-99-4 |
Molar mass | 84,9947 g/mol |
Density | 2,257 g/cm3 |
Solubility | In water: 73 g/100 mL (0 °C) |
A chemical compound with the chemical formula NaNO3. This salt of alkali metal nitrate is also known as Chilean saltpeter (due to the large deposits of this salt in Chile) to distinguish it from the common saltpeter, potassium nitrate. The mineral form is also called nitratin, nitrate or sodium nitrate.
Sodium nitrate is a white solid that is very soluble in water. It is a readily available source of nitrate anion (NO3), which is useful in industrial-scale reactions for the production of fertilisers; pyrotechnics and smoke bombs; glass and ceramic enamels; food preservatives (especially for meat); and solid rocket fuel.
In the food industry, sodium nitrate is used as a food additive, for preservation and colour fixation in thick meat and poultry meat; it has the E number E251. It is authorised for use in the EU, the USA and Australia and New Zealand. Sodium nitrate is a preservative found in processed meats such as hot dogs, sausages, salami, hams and other edible meat products. It inhibits the growth of bacteria that spoil meat and preserves the red or pink colour of meat. Sodium nitrate is not added to chicken or tuna because there is no need to preserve the red colour of the meat. There is some evidence that sodium nitrate also prevents botulism, although nitrites are more likely to be involved in this process. Sodium nitrate, rather than nitrite, is used to prevent the ageing of cured smoked ham.
In agriculture and horticulture, sodium nitrate contains nitrogen, which is important for plant growth. Too much nitrogen can delay the appearance of fruit and flowers, while too little can cause poor plant growth. The nitrogen in sodium nitrate fertiliser is readily available to the plant roots. Sodium nitrate is used as a fertiliser in agriculture, but is not very popular because other compounds have a higher nitrogen content, e.g. ammonium nitrate or urea.
In the glass industry, sodium nitrate is involved in a two-step process for the production of chemically strengthened glass. The glass product is first immersed in a bath of sodium nitrate, which enriches the surface of the glass with sodium ions, increasing the strength of the end product. Chemically strengthened glass is scratch resistant, more resistant to impact and bending, and has greater thermal stability. This is useful in some aircraft applications where the glass requires strength and optical clarity. Sodium nitrate is also used to clarify molten glass in the manufacture of high performance eyewear.
In pharmaceuticals, sodium nitrate is an inactive ingredient used as a preservative in various eye drops. Sodium nitrate is often used in medicine as a nitrogen-containing compound rather than an active ingredient.
In the manufacture of explosives, sodium nitrate is a component of rocket propellants. It is known to be used as a substitute for potassium nitrate in black powder propellant, although its yield is lower. As an explosives component, sodium nitrate has several advantages: it is inexpensive, stable, non-toxic and non-poisonous, but it has a slow burning rate.
In the energy sector, sodium nitrate is used in combination with potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate for heat storage in solar power plants, e.g. for the production of electricity. Andasol solar power plant or the Archimedes project. Sodium nitrate is also used as a component in blast chiller packages.
In wastewater treatment plants, sodium nitrate is used to increase the oxygen content of bacteria. For example, Nitrosomonas bacteria grow significantly faster with nitrate ions than with dissolved oxygen in the water, thus improving the quality of water treatment.
In aquariums, sodium nitrate is used in marine aquariums to reduce carbonate levels. Increasing nitrate increases bacterial and algae growth, resulting in lower carbonate levels.
In cosmetics, sodium nitrate is used as a viscosity control agent in cosmetic products and as a skin conditioner. Main INCI functions:
- Oral care/hygiene agent: Provides cosmetic effects on the oral cavity (cleaning, deodorisation and protection)
- Soothing: Helps relieve discomfort on the skin or scalp
In metalworking, sodium nitrate is used to reinforce the surface of iron, to give hardness. In precious metal extraction, sodium nitrate is used as a mild oxidising agent to gently transition precious metals from an ionic (liquid, soluble) state to an atomic (solid, metallic) state.
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Signal word: CAUTION |
Hazard icons: |
Danger phrases: H272 May increase fire, oxidizer H319 Causes severe eye irritation |
Precautionary statements: P220 Keep away from flammable materials. P280 Wear protective gloves/eye protection. P305+P351+P338 In case of contact with eyes: wash gently with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if they are present and can be easily done. Continue washing eyes. P337+P313 If eye irritation persists: seek medical advice. |
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