Overview
Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) is a versatile inorganic salt with two primary forms: anhydrous (thenardite) and decahydrate (Glauber's salt). It occurs naturally in mineral deposits and is also a byproduct of chemical processes like hydrochloric acid production. Industrially, it is valued for its role as a filler, drying agent, and chemical intermediate. Historically, Glauber's salt was named after Johann Glauber, who discovered its medicinal properties in the 17th century. Today, over 70% of global production serves the detergent industry, where it prevents clumping in powdered formulations.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Anhydrous sodium sulfate forms orthorhombic crystals with a high melting point (884°C) and moderate solubility in water (28.1 g/100 mL at 25°C). Its decahydrate form loses water molecules at 32.4°C, transitioning to the anhydrous state. The compound is chemically stable but hygroscopic, requiring airtight storage to prevent caking. Notably, sodium sulfate exhibits high ionic conductivity in aqueous solutions, making it useful in electrochemical applications. Its neutrality (pH ~7) and compatibility with most chemicals enhance its utility across industries.
Main Applications
In detergents, sodium sulfate acts as a processing aid to standardize density and improve flowability. The glass industry relies on it to eliminate air bubbles during melting, while paper mills use it in the Kraft process to regenerate cooking chemicals. Textile manufacturers apply sodium sulfate as a leveling agent in dyeing, ensuring even color distribution. Emerging uses include thermal energy storage (decahydrate form) and as a laxative in veterinary medicine. China, the U.S., and Europe dominate global production, often linked to regional chemical manufacturing hubs.
Safety and Storage
Classified as a low-hazard substance, sodium sulfate still requires basic precautions. Dust inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, necessitating PPE like N95 masks during handling. Prolonged skin contact can lead to dryness due to its moisture-absorbing properties. Store in moisture-proof containers away from acids. Bulk storage silos should include desiccants to prevent clumping. Transport typically follows general chemical guidelines, though no hazardous material labeling is required for most jurisdictions.
B2B Procurement Guide
Buyers should specify purity grades: technical grade (≥99%) for industrial uses versus USP/PhEur grades for pharmaceuticals. Anhydrous forms command higher prices but reduce shipping costs versus decahydrate's water content. Major suppliers include Chinese producers like Sichuan Union Xinli Chemical and international players such as Elementis. Request Certificates of Analysis (CoA) for trace metal content, especially for glass manufacturing. Spot prices fluctuate with energy costs due to its production link to other chemical processes.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：叔碳酸、十八醛、溶菌酶、瑞德西韦杂质2、海藻糖、癸二醇、氨基丙基、氢路噻嗪、邻苯二甲、乙基碳二、羟基癸酸、正十七烷、谷胱甘肽、烷二甲醇、松果体素、vc磷酸酯镁、2-甲基丁醛、朱栾倍半萜、丁烷四乙酸、表面活性剂、癸烷撑二醇、缩水甘油邻、10-羟基羊蜡酸、氢氯噻嗪杂质、盐酸邻菲罗啉、壳聚糖季铵盐
- 主营：6-二羟基吲哚、磷钼酸、艾拉莫德中间体、甲基丙二酸、光引发剂、苯芴醇、溴芬酸钠中间体、樟脑醌、钼酸钾、丝素蛋白、盐酸胍、β-丙氨酸甲酯盐酸盐、聚二羟基吲哚、7-去氢胆固醇、甘氨胆酸钠盐、半叶素、胆固醇、2-辛基十二醇、蛋白酶K、D-荧光素钾盐、光引发剂LAP、BIS-TRIS、甲基丙烯酸氧杂环丁烷
- 主营：全氟三丁胺、全氟三乙胺、全氟三丙胺、瑞德西韦中间体N、全氟聚醚、全氟萘烷、全氟己酮、羟基磷灰石、生物活性玻璃、布洛芬、溴壬烷、磷酸铵、甲乙基、褪黑素、嘧啶钠、莪术油、显色剂、叔丁醇、茜素红、乙氧基、异戊醇、脯氨酸、茚三酮、氯唑沙
- 主营：抗氧剂、氧化剂、紫外线吸收剂、瑞德西韦母核、荧光增白剂、催化剂、还原剂、缩合剂、光引发剂、酶制剂、成核剂、生物缓冲液、表面活性剂、检测试剂、光电材料中间体、改性剂、指示剂、多肽、染料中间体、固醇系列、酶溶液
- 主营：胆酸、半叶素、二羟基吲哚、缩合剂、生物缓冲液、表面活性剂、硅烷偶联剂、L-丙交酯、光电材料中间体、精细化工
- 主营：磷酸三钙、钡玻璃粉、锶玻璃粉、瑞德西韦中间体N、生物活性玻璃、虫胶粉/精制紫胶、全氟三丁胺、卡波姆树脂、月桂酰赖氨酸、木瓜蛋白酶、低温玻璃粉、磺化栲胶、聚酰亚胺pi树脂微粉、八甘醇、羟基磷灰石、高取代羟丙基纤维素、异戊橡胶、杜仲胶、二水硫酸钙、壳聚糖、氢化卵磷脂、辛烯基琥珀酸淀粉钠、花椒麻素、甲氧基聚乙二醇丙烯酸、维生素A棕榈酸酯、水解胶原蛋白锌
- 主营：6-二羟基吲哚、二羟基吲哚啉氢溴酸、水解角蛋白、7-去氢胆固醇、石胆酸钠盐、熊去氧胆酸钠盐、2-辛基十二醇、2-巯基噻唑啉、2-巯基苯并咪唑、苯基周位酸(8-苯胺、L-丙交酯、半叶素、乙烯利、环丙磺酰胺、苄氧基胺盐酸盐、1-氨基环丙烷羧酸、4-联苯甲醇丙烯酸酯、4-羟乙烯基氧基二苯、咪鲜胺、可比落、乙交酯、D(+)-丙交酯
- 主营：瑞德西韦杂质2、硫化锰、丙酮缩甘油、甲基三丁基膦磷酸二甲酯盐
- 主营：聚乙烯胺、化学试剂、分析试剂、瑞德西韦中间体、通用试剂、生化试剂
- 主营：醋酸甲、氯化钾、硫酸锶、瑞德西韦中间体、酮咯酸、周位酸、二氢吡啶、染料助剂、光产酸剂、叔丁醇钠、基础塑料、蛋糕饮料、透明液体、生化试剂、二氧化硅、肉桂酸钾、香精香料、硅酸铝镁、愈创木酚、苯甲酸酐、l-谷氨酸钾、工业钼酸钠、功能性染料、十一烯酸锌、橡胶中间体、羧化壳聚糖
- 主营：冲压油、苯酚cas、乙烯基、瑞德西韦杂质2、底涂剂、cas71-41-0、cas95-50-1、4二碘苯、cas120-82-1、cas106-47-8、cas123-30-8、cas110-87-2、cas110-00-9、cas563-47-3、cas100-50-5、cas110-82-7、异构烷烃、甲基乙撑、白色粉末、丙撑二胺、板助焊剂、141b清洗剂、脱漆剂
- 主营：对照品、标准品、当归酸酐、瑞德西韦三磷酸、佛手柑内酯、新当归内酯、补骨脂甲素、补骨脂乙素、羟基芍药苷、阿魏酸松柏酯、水合氧化前胡素、豆甾醇葡萄糖苷
- 主营：杂环化合物、丙烯酸系列
- 主营：1689-89-0、酒石酸、61438-64-0、瑞德西韦中间体、81810-66-4、17316-67-5、31430-15-6、68786-66-3、42461-84-7、115550-35-1、217500-96-4、101831-37-2、129496-10-2、沃尼妙林、丹诺沙星、非泼罗尼、加米霉素、能霉素钠、达氟沙星、奥苯达唑、粘杆菌素、双氢链霉素、酸泰妙菌素、盐酸四咪唑、盐酸沙拉沙星
- 主营：纸板桶、编织袋、胞苷酸、腺苷酸、磷酸镁、99%吲哚、藜麦肽、甲酰胺、溴化钾、腺苷、增稠剂、樟脑粉、三醋酸纤维素、酸辛酯、99%曲酸、2-氯嘧啶、6-己内酯、液状石蜡、焦谷氨酸、草酸氢铵、邻苯二甲、乙酸癸酯、尿苷酸二钠、盐酸羟胺、乳酸菌素