Potassium aluminum sulfate is nothing but potassium double sulfate of aluminum. This chemical is also called potassium alum. It is often referred to by its short form, “potash alum.” Another rare name for this chemical is ‘tawas,’ commonly used in Asia. The chemical is available with multiple speciality chemicals companies in Mumbai.
The formula for this chemical is KAI (SO4) 2. Potassium aluminum sulfate usually exists in its hydrated form. This gives it the chemical formula KAI (SO4) 2.12 H2O.
Origin of Potassium Aluminum Sulfate
Potassium aluminum was common in ancient times when the Egyptians often received it from the Western Desert. This chemical was then often used in the treatment of water. This was a practice followed as early as 1500 BC.
Potassium aluminum was extracted using a mineral known as alunite, which was a rock-forming sulfate material widely found in the seams of volcanic rocks.
Potassium Aluminum Sulfate Today
However, today the chemical is created industrially and available with Aluminum sulfate suppliers. All one needs to do is take some portion of the concentrated aluminum sulfate solution and then add potassium chloride or potassium sulfate to it.
Top chemical companies in India obtain aluminum sulfate easily by processes like mineral treatment of cryolite or bauxite with some sulphuric acid. The end product is potassium alum, available as a white powder or as crystals.
How is Potassium Aluminum Sulfate Available Today?
Potassium aluminum is sold commercially in a crystalline form by potassium aluminum sulfate suppliers. Apart from this, it is also available as a fine white powder.
Today Potassium aluminum is common in the growing of non-toxic and clear crystals, making it a useful chemical in various science projects.
Potassium alum crystals are known to grow to a size that is larger than salt crystals. This way, they can easily be formed using a few household ingredients available in the kitchen.
Uses of Potassium Aluminum Sulfate
Potassium aluminum sulfate has a range of uses. Here are just a few of them:
- Cosmetics
Potassium aluminum sulfate is very common in deodorants as it has antibacterial properties that make it safe and effective on the skin.
The crystal from this chemical is known to easily glide across the surface of damp skin, thus preventing any odor and keeping the bacteria from multiplying.
Likewise, speciality chemicals company in Mumbai use potassium aluminum commonly in aftershave as it serves as a source of healing and prevents further bleeding in the case of minor cuts. The compound also finds applications in styptic and astringent.
- Cooking
Potassium aluminum is often used as an additive in baking powder as it serves as an effective source of leavening. In pickles, they help add a touch of crispness and crunch. Apart from this, potassium aluminum is a famous agent in various forms of food processing.
- Textiles
Potassium aluminum is also common in textile manufacturing for cotton, silk, and wool. It finds application as mordant for dyeing. Potassium aluminum serves as a natural dye. It is why it is preferable to ordinary aluminum sulfate.
The colors it produces, as a result, are also brighter and stronger than those from other dyes.
- Water Treatment
Potassium aluminum sulfate is very effective in purifying drinking water from all bacteria and other harmful sediments to make it fit for human consumption. It brings all microscopic impurities together in a clump to settle at the bottom before they can be filtered out.
Final thoughts
Potassium aluminum is a naturally occurring mineral, meaning it is renewable and is often found on the surface of rocks and in the processes of weathering and oxidation. These are just a few applications for which potassium aluminum sulfate is very popular today.
It is also common in medicine, the leather industry, paper, gardening, and so on. In other words, we can say that this is one of the most useful chemicals that are of help in a variety of industries today.
If you are looking for a reputed chemical supplier in Mumbai offering pure and technical grades of chemicals, visit Amizara Speciality Chemicals LLP today! The company offers affordable potassium aluminum sulfate price among competitors.
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