Aluminum Sulfate

Name:
Aluminum Sulfate
Detailed information:

M Formula:	Al2(SO4)3
M Formula:	Al2(SO4)3•18H2O
Properties:
White crystals; sweet taste. Noncombustible. Stable in air, d (1) 2.71, (2) 1.62, mp decomposes at 770C. Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol.
Derivation:
(1) By treating pure kaolin or aluminum hydroxide or bauxite with sulfuric acid. The insoluble silicic acid is removed by filtration, and the sulfate is obtained by crystallization. (2) Similarly, from waste coal-mining shale and sulfuric acid.
Grade:
Iron-free, technical, CP, USP, FCC. A liquid form (49.7 H2O) is also available.
Use:
Sizing paper, lakes, alums, dyeing mordant foaming agent in fire foams, cloth fireproofing, white leather tannage, catalyst in manufacturing ethane, pH control in paper industry, waterproofing agent for concrete, clarifier for fats and oils, lubricating compositions, deodorizer and decolorizer in petroleum refining, sewage precipitating agent and for water purification, food additive.