Sodium fluorosilicate

Chemical properties

white powder

Chemical properties

Sodium hexafluorosilicate is a white crystalline solid.

The Uses of Sodium fluorosilicate

Sodium hexafluorosilicate is used as a additive for water fluoridation, opal glass raw material and in ore refining. It is also used in the preparation of other fluoride chemicals like sodium fluoride, sodium hexafluoroaluminate, potassium hexafluorosilicate, ammonium fluoride and calcium fluoride. It finds application as flotator, component for wet etching, wood preservative, brazing flux and welding compound. It is an active component of concrete.

The Uses of Sodium fluorosilicate

In enamels for china and porcelain; manufacture of opal glass; as insecticide, rodenticide; mothproofing of woolens. Fluoridating agent for drinking water. Intermediate in production of synthetic cryolite.

What are the applications of Application

Sodium hexafluorosilicate is a reagent for the decomposition of silicates by fusion

General Description

Fine, white, odorless, powdered solid. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used as a rodenticide.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Sodium fluorosilicate has weak oxidizing or reducing powers. Redox reactions can however still occur. The majority of compounds in this class are slightly soluble or insoluble in water. If soluble in water, then the solutions are usually neither strongly acidic nor strongly basic. These compounds are not water-reactive.

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong irritant to tissue.

Health Hazard

Inhalation of dust may irritate nose and throat. Ingestion causes symptoms similar to fluoride poisoning; compound is highly toxic; initial symptoms include nausea, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration; in severe cases, convulsions, shock, and cyanosis are followed by death in 2-4 hr. Contact with eyes causes irritation. Contact with skin causes rash, redness, and burning, sometimes followed by ulcer formation.

Fire Hazard

Behavior in Fire: Decomposes at red heat

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Industrial uses

Sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6) is a white, isomorphous powder. Solubility in water is similar to that of NaF. In acid pH, solubility improves.
Commercially, Na2SiF6 is produced by treatment of fluorosilic acid with sodium chloride, as shown in the following reaction: H₂SiF₆ + 2NaCl = Na₂SiF₆ + 2HCl

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. A skin and severe eye irritant. An insecticide. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Fand Na2O.

Potential Exposure

Sodium hexafluorosilicate is as a rodenticide; as an intermediate in production of synthetic cyrolite; as an insecticide in delousing and in mothproofing of woolens.

Shipping

UN2674/Sodium fluorosilicate, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Purification Methods

Crystallise it from hot water (40mL/g) by cooling.

Incompatibilities

Reacts with acids to produce hydrogen fluoride, a highly corrosive and poisonous gas.