Potassium sulfate
General Product Information
| Article | Potassium sulfate |
| Synonyms | Potassium sulphate |
| CAS No. | 7778-80-5 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 231-915-5 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 31043000 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Potassium sulfate is an inorganic salt consisting of potassium and sulfate ions. It is a white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water and is virtually odorless and tasteless. The product is widely used in agriculture, chemical industry and other sectors because of its stable properties.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: Yes, light.
- Color: White.
- Grade: Technical.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water.
- Shape: Crystalline powder.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | K2SO4 |
| Molar Weight | 174.27 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 1067 °C |
| Boiling Point | 1689 °C |
| Density | 2.662 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 (at 5% solution) |
Applications
Potassium sulfate is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Agriculture & Horticulture
The main application of potassium sulfate is as a fertilizer. It provides plants with potassium and sulfur without adding chloride. This is crucial for crops that are sensitive to chloride.
2. Glass Industry
Used at the production of high quality glass to improve clarity and durability.
3. Chemical Industry
Used as a raw material in the manufacture of potassium-containing compounds and sulfur-containing chemicals.
Interessing Links
- CAS Common Chemistry – Potassium Sulfate
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- PubChem – Potassium Sulfate – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Potassium sulfate