Potassium nitrate (data page)
Encyclopedia
Potassium nitrate
is an oxidizer so storing it near fire hazards or reducing agents should be avoided to minimise risk in case of a fire.
CAS No. : 7757-79-1
Molecular Weight : 101.1
Chemical Formula : K
N
O
3
Danger - oxidizer. Contact with some materials may cause fire. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
SAF-T-DATA Ratings
Health Rating : 1 - Minimal
Flammability Rating : 0 - None
Reactivity Rating : 2 - Moderate (Oxidizer)
Contact Rating : 1 - Minimal (Life)
Lab Protective Equip : None required. Gloves optional.
Storage Color Code : Yellow (Reactive)
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation : Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.
Ingestion : Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause gastroenteritis and abdominal pains. Purging and diuresis can be expected. Rare cases of nitrates being converted to the more toxic nitrites have been reported, mostly with infants.
Skin Contact : Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact : Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure : Under some circumstances methemoglobinemia occurs in individuals when the nitrate is converted by bacteria in the stomach to nitrite. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart beat, irregular breathing, convulsions, coma, and death can occur should this conversion take place. Chronic exposure to nitrites may cause anemia and adverse effects to kidney.
Skin Contact : none
Eye Contact : Flush eyes with water, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally.
Explosion : No danger of explosion. KNO3 is an oxidising agent, so will accelerate combustion of combustibles.
Fire Extinguishing Media : Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, Halon, water spray, or fog. If water is used, apply from as far a distance as possible. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool. Do not allow water runoff to enter sewers or waterways.
Special Information : Wear full protective clothing and breathing equipment for high-intensity fire or potential explosion conditions. This oxidizing material can increase the flammability of adjacent combustible materials.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved) : For conditions of use where exposure to dust or mist is apparent and engineering controls are not feasible, a particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) may be worn. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator.
Skin Protection : Not required.
Eye Protection : Not required. Optionally use chemical safety goggles where dusting or splashing of solutions is possible.
Odor : sour or salty.
Solubility : 36 gm/100 ml water
Specific Gravity : 2.1
pH : ca. 7
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F) : 0
Boiling Point : 400C (752F)
Melting Point : 333C (631F)
Vapor Density (Air=1) : 3.00
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg) : Negligible @ 20C
Hazardous Decomposition Products : Oxides of nitrogen and toxic metal fumes may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization : Will not occur.
Incompatibilities : Heavy metals, phosphites, organic compounds, carbonaceous materials, strong acids, and many other substances.
Conditions to Avoid : Heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.
Potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrate ions NO3−.It occurs as a mineral niter and is a natural solid source of nitrogen. Its common names include saltpetre , from medieval Latin sal petræ: "stone salt" or possibly "Salt...
is an oxidizer so storing it near fire hazards or reducing agents should be avoided to minimise risk in case of a fire.
Product Identification
Synonyms : Saltpetre; Niter/Nitre; Nitric acid potassium salt; Salt PeterCAS No. : 7757-79-1
Molecular Weight : 101.1
Chemical Formula : K
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...
N
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...
O
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
3
Hazards Identification
Emergency OverviewDanger - oxidizer. Contact with some materials may cause fire. Harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
SAF-T-DATA Ratings
Health Rating : 1 - Minimal
Flammability Rating : 0 - None
Reactivity Rating : 2 - Moderate (Oxidizer)
Contact Rating : 1 - Minimal (Life)
Lab Protective Equip : None required. Gloves optional.
Storage Color Code : Yellow (Reactive)
Potential Health Effects
Inhalation : Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.
Ingestion : Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause gastroenteritis and abdominal pains. Purging and diuresis can be expected. Rare cases of nitrates being converted to the more toxic nitrites have been reported, mostly with infants.
Skin Contact : Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact : Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure : Under some circumstances methemoglobinemia occurs in individuals when the nitrate is converted by bacteria in the stomach to nitrite. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart beat, irregular breathing, convulsions, coma, and death can occur should this conversion take place. Chronic exposure to nitrites may cause anemia and adverse effects to kidney.
First Aid Measures
Inhalation :noneSkin Contact : none
Eye Contact : Flush eyes with water, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally.
Fire Fighting Measures
Fire : Not combustible itself but substance is a strong oxidizer and its heat of reaction with reducing agents or combustibles may accelerate burning.Explosion : No danger of explosion. KNO3 is an oxidising agent, so will accelerate combustion of combustibles.
Fire Extinguishing Media : Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, Halon, water spray, or fog. If water is used, apply from as far a distance as possible. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool. Do not allow water runoff to enter sewers or waterways.
Special Information : Wear full protective clothing and breathing equipment for high-intensity fire or potential explosion conditions. This oxidizing material can increase the flammability of adjacent combustible materials.
Accidental Release Measures
Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container.Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage and moisture. Isolate from any source of heat or ignition. Avoid storage on wood floors. Separate from incompatibles, combustibles, organic or other readily oxidizable materials.Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Ventilation System : A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures as low as possible. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved) : For conditions of use where exposure to dust or mist is apparent and engineering controls are not feasible, a particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) may be worn. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator.
Skin Protection : Not required.
Eye Protection : Not required. Optionally use chemical safety goggles where dusting or splashing of solutions is possible.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance : White crystals.Odor : sour or salty.
Solubility : 36 gm/100 ml water
Specific Gravity : 2.1
pH : ca. 7
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F) : 0
Boiling Point : 400C (752F)
Melting Point : 333C (631F)
Vapor Density (Air=1) : 3.00
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg) : Negligible @ 20C
Stability and Reactivity
Stability : Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.Hazardous Decomposition Products : Oxides of nitrogen and toxic metal fumes may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization : Will not occur.
Incompatibilities : Heavy metals, phosphites, organic compounds, carbonaceous materials, strong acids, and many other substances.
Conditions to Avoid : Heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.
Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.See also
- Potassium nitratePotassium nitratePotassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrate ions NO3−.It occurs as a mineral niter and is a natural solid source of nitrogen. Its common names include saltpetre , from medieval Latin sal petræ: "stone salt" or possibly "Salt...
- Nitric acidNitric acidNitric acid , also known as aqua fortis and spirit of nitre, is a highly corrosive and toxic strong acid.Colorless when pure, older samples tend to acquire a yellow cast due to the accumulation of oxides of nitrogen. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming...
- NiterNiterNiter or nitre is the mineral form of potassium nitrate, KNO3, also known as saltpeter or saltpetre . Historically, the term "niter" – cognate with "natrium", a Latin word for sodium – has been very vaguely defined, and it has been applied to a variety of other minerals and chemical compounds,...
- Black powder
- Sodium nitrateSodium nitrateSodium nitrate is the chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This salt, also known as Chile saltpeter or Peru saltpeter to distinguish it from ordinary saltpeter, potassium nitrate, is a white solid which is very soluble in water...
- Sodium nitriteSodium nitriteSodium nitrite is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO2. It is a white to slight yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic...
- Potassium nitritePotassium nitritePotassium nitrite is a salt with chemical formula 2.It is a strong oxidizer and may accelerate the combustion of other materials. Like other nitrite salts such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite is toxic if swallowed, and laboratory tests suggest that it may be mutagenic or teratogenic...