Sodium Acetate

Sodium Acetate Anhydrous is used in the textile industry to neutralize sulfuric acid waste streams, and as a photoresist while using aniline dyes. It is also a pickling agent in chrome tanning, and it helps to retard vulcanization of chloroprene in synthetic rubber production.

Traditional Preservatives of this buffering agent include the leather tanning and dye industries. It is used in TANNING to effect a more even and rapid penetration of the tan. In the TEXTILE industry, it is considered a dye and color intermediate, with specific use as a mordant in the dyeing process. Because of its ability to remove insoluble calcium salts, sodium acetate is further used by the textile industry to improve the wearing quality of finished fabrics.

As the conjugate base of a weak acid, a solution of sodium acetate and acetic acid can act as a BUFFER SOLUTION to keep a relatively constant pH. This is useful especially in biochemical applications where reactions are pH dependent.

Sodium acetate, also called sodium ethanoate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. Its used in acetic acid/acetate buffer solutions and is a component of a few specialized test reagents. Caution! Contact causes irritation to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Sodium Acetate Anhydrous may be added to foods as food additives. It is also used in consumer HEATING PADS or hand warmers and is also used in hot ice. Sodium acetate trihydrate crystals melt at 58 °C, dissolving in their water of crystallization. When they are heated to around 100 °C, and subsequently allowed to cool, the aqueous solution becomes supersaturated. This solution is capable of super cooling to room temperature without forming crystals. By clicking on a metal disc in the heating pad, a nucleation center is formed which causes the solution to crystallize into solid trihydrate crystals again. The bond-forming process of crystallization is exothermic, hence heat is emitted. The latent heat of fusion is about 264–289 kJ/kg.

Handling and Storage

Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Isolate from any source of heat or ignition. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.