Detailed Product Description:

White, crystalline powder, odorless, alkaline taste.  Soluble in

water and glycerol.  Insoluble in alcohol.  Non combustible.

Product Grade & Purity:

This is ACS Reagent Grade, minimum 99.5% purity

Background:

Sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda or soda ash), is

a sodium salt of carbonic acid.  It has a cooling alkaline taste, and

can be extracted from the ashes of many plants.  It is synthetically

produced in large quantities from table salt in a process known as

the Solvay process.

Applications

The most important use for sodium carbonate is in the chemical

make-up of glass.  When heated at very high temperatures, combined

with sand (SiO2) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and cooled very

rapidly, glass is produced.

Sodium carbonate is also used as a relatively strong base.  For example,

it is used as a pH regulator to maintain stable alkaline conditions

necessary for the action of the majority of developing agents.  It is

a common additive in municipal pools used to neutralize the acidic

effects of chlorine and raise pH.

In domestic use, it is used as a water softener.  It competes with the

magnesium and calcium ions in hard water and prevents them from

bonding with the detergent being used.  Without using washing soda,

additional detergent is needed to soak up the magnesium and calcium

ions.  Called Washing Soda or Sal Soda in the detergent section of

stores, it effectively removes oil, grease, and alcohol stains.  Sodium

carbonate is also used as a de-scaling agent in boilers such as found in

coffee pots, espresso machines, etc.

Sodium carbonate may be used for safely cleaning silver.  Aluminum foil

is added to a glass or ceramic container, and covered with hot water and

some sodium carbonate.  Silver items are dipped into this "bath" to clean

them, making sure the silver makes contact with the aluminum foil.  Finally,

the silver is rinsed in water and allowed to dry.

Precautions:

Inhalation of dust may cause irritation.  Slightly toxic by

ingestion.  May cause severe irritation to eyes.

Download, read and understand the MSDS and the hazards

and precautions involved with handling this substance.

Click here to download MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Packaging:

HDPE Nalgene laboratory quality bottle or 5 gallon bucket.  Sizes listed below.