Product Introduction
Light soda ash (chemical name: sodium carbonate, chemical formula Na₂CO₃), also known as light ash, is a white powder or fine granular solid. It is highly soluble in water and its aqueous solution is alkaline. It has strong hygroscopicity and is prone to absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide and forming lumps when exposed to air. It is an important basic chemical raw material, widely used in glass manufacturing (to lower the melting temperature of glass), the paper industry (as a pulping cooking agent), textile printing and dyeing (to adjust the pH value of dyeing baths), and detergent production (to enhance decontamination ability). It can also be used in fields such as metallurgy and food processing (food-grade specifications are required). When storing, it should be sealed and kept in a dry and well-ventilated place to prevent deliquescence from affecting its performance.
Parameters
Parameter Category | Specific Indicators (Industrial Grade / Food Grade) | Description |
Chemical Formula | Na₂CO₃ | Inorganic salt composed of sodium, carbon, and oxygen. |
Appearance | White fine powder; odorless; slightly hygroscopic | Light bulk density (vs. dense soda ash); prone to caking if exposed to moisture. |
Purity | Industrial Grade: ≥98.5% (anhydrous); Food Grade: ≥99.2% | Food grade complies with standards like GB 1886.1-2021 |
Bulk Density | 0.45-0.60 g/cm³ (typical) | Lower than dense soda ash (~1.0-1.2 g/cm³), suitable for applications needing fast dissolution. |
Solubility | 21.5g/100mL (20℃, water); solubility increases with temperature | Aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (pH ~11.6 at 1% concentration). |
Melting Point | 851℃ (decomposes above this temperature) | Decomposes into sodium oxide (Na₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) when heated excessively. |
Moisture Content | Industrial Grade: ≤0.5%; Food Grade: ≤0.3% | Low moisture ensures stability during storage and avoids premature reaction. |
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution) | ~11.6 (strongly alkaline) | Requires caution during handling to avoid skin/eye irritation. |
Main Impurities | Industrial: NaCl ≤1.0%, Fe₂O₃ ≤0.003%; Food: NaCl ≤0.5%, Fe₂O₃ ≤0.002% | Food grade has stricter impurity limits to ensure safety for food contact. |
Application
- Glass manufacturing
Light soda ash serves as a key fluxing agent in glass production. Na₂CO₃ lowers the melting temperature of silica (SiO₂) and other raw materials, reducing energy consumption while helping to eliminate bubbles in molten glass—ensuring the final glass product has high transparency and structural stability.
- Detergent and soap production
In detergent formulations, light soda ash acts as a pH regulator and builder. The material neutralizes acidic dirt, enhances the cleaning power of surfactants, and prevents re-deposition of stains on fabrics. Light soda ash’s fine powder form also mixes easily with other detergent ingredients for uniform performance.
- Textile dyeing and printing
Textile factories use light soda ash to adjust the pH of dye baths. Na₂CO₃ creates an alkaline environment that improves the affinity of reactive dyes for natural fibers (e.g., cotton), ensuring even color absorption and long-lasting dye retention. The product’s fast solubility allows for precise pH control during the dyeing process.
- Chemical synthesis (sodium-based compounds)
Light soda ash is a foundational raw material for synthesizing other sodium chemicals. For example, reacting Na₂CO₃ with calcium hydroxide produces sodium hydroxide (NaOH, caustic soda), a critical reagent in paper making and metal processing. Light soda ash’s high purity (≥98.5% for industrial grade) ensures the quality of downstream products.
- Water treatment (pH adjustment and softening)
In industrial wastewater treatment, light soda ash neutralizes acidic effluents to meet discharge standards. Additionally, the material reacts with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, forming insoluble carbonates that can be filtered out—reducing scale buildup in pipes and equipment. Light soda ash’s solubility makes it easy to dose into water systems.
