Usage: potassium nitrate is the raw material for making black powder, such as mine powder, ignition wire, firecracker, etc. It is also used for fireworks to produce purple sparks. Mechanical heat treatment is used as salt bath for quenching. The ceramic industry is used to make enamels and colored drugs. Used as glass clarifier. It is used in the manufacture of glass shell, kinescope, etc. The pharmaceutical industry is used to produce penicillin potassium salt and rifampicin. Used for making cigarette paper. Used as catalyst. Beneficiation agent. Used as compound fertilizer for crops and flowers.
Properties
Summary
a strong oxidizer used especially in making gunpowder, as a fertilizer, and in medicine.
CAS No.
7757-79-1
Formula
KNO3
Molecular Mass
101.10300
Exact Mass
100.95200
PSA
68.88000
Logp
0.28410
IUPAC
potassium;nitrate
Attribute classification
Matter Classification
inorganic
Category
Chemical and Physical Properties
Melting Point
334 °C
Density
1.00 g/mL at 20 °C
Boiling Point
100 °C750 mm Hg
Flash Point
400°C
Appearance
Potassium nitrate appears as a white to dirty gray crystalline solid.