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Sodium Chloride

Beyond its well-known household uses, sodium chloride finds more prominent roles in chemical processes and as a de-icing agent. In the field of medicine, it is employed in conjunction with water as a fundamental component of intravenous therapy solutions and nasal sprays.

Synonyms
Koksalt, Havsalt, Bordsalt, Natriumklorid, Vanlig Salt, sodium chloride, Halite, Salt, Table salt, Saline, Rock salt, Common salt, Dendritis, Purex, Sodium chloric, Sodium chloride (NaCl), Hyposaline, Flexivial, Gingivyl, Iodized salt, Slow Sodium, Sea salt, SS salt
Chemical Formula
NaCl
CAS Number
7647-14-5

Characteristics

Molar Weight
58.44 g/mol
Melting Point
800.7 °C
Boiling Point
1,465 °C
Density
2.17 g/cc
Forms
Liquid, Colourless, Crystalline, Solid

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Anti-freeze
  • Adhesives and Sealants
  • Electronics
  • Paint and Coatings
  • Plastics and polymers
  • Absorbent
  • Cleaning products
  • Petroleum production
  • Pulp and paper
  • Textile handling
  • Solvents
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Personal care
  • Bleaching agent

General information about sodium chloride

Sodium chloride is commonly known as salt and is the sodium salt of hydrochloric acid. Sodium chloride is the most important mineral for humans and animals.
The use of sodium chloride is divided into industrial salt as a raw material for the chemical industry, de-icing salt for winter road maintenance, commercial salt for industrial purposes and table salt.

Properties of sodium chloride

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is made up of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). Pure sodium chloride forms colourless crystals. In ground form or as a crystalline powder, it appears white in colour. If NaCl crystals are held in a colourless flame, they turn yellow-orange. Sodium chloride is highly soluble in water and is hardly hygroscopic. Sodium chloride lowers the melting point of water, a property on which its use as road salt and in refrigerant mixtures is based.
Colleagues looking at the result in a testing tube, application laboratory, Essen, Germany

Sodium chloride in the chemical industry

In the chemical industry, NaCl is often used to produce other substances such as chlorine. Sodium chloride is split into chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen by electrolysis.
The chlorine produced can be used in various industries, including the production of bleaching agents. Sodium chloride is also used to produce sodium hydroxide by means of chlor-alkali electrolysis. In the so-called Solvay process, sodium chloride is used to produce sodium carbonate.
It is also an important raw material for the production of hydrochloric acid, soda and caustic soda.

Close-Up Of Oatmeal Cookies In Plate

Sodium chloride in the food industry

Common salt is one of the most important spices and an essential component of the human diet. In the food industry, sodium chloride is used not only as a seasoning but also to preserve meat, fish, vegetables and olives.
The use of salt prevents food from spoiling as the water is removed (osmotic effect) and germs no longer have a food source.
Modern mid adult man with a digital tablet working and examining the quality of a wheat field in summer. GettyImages-1260705020.jpg

Sodium chloride in agriculture

Salt is added to fertilisers in agriculture as a source of sodium and chloride - both minerals are required for plant growth.
Sodium chloride is also considered a natural herbicide; the salt dehydrates weeds and causes them to die. As salt is vital for animals, it is added to the feed of farm animals.
Washing Face, Removing Make-Up, Facial Mask - Beauty Product, Facial Cleanser, Peeling Off GettyImages-1252621678.jpg

Sodium chloride in the cosmetics industry

Fine salt is often used in scrubs to gently remove dead skin cells. In hair care products such as hair sprays, sodium chloride helps to degrease the hair and build up more volume. As it reduces odour-causing bacteria, salt is also used by the cosmetics industry in deodorants.
Salt is added to bath additives to relieve muscle tension.
Woman taking pills from a blister pack.

Sodium chloride in medicine

In medicine, a 0.9% solution - corresponding to the salt content of human blood - of sodium chloride in water (isotonic saline solution) is used as a carrier solution for medicines. A sodium chloride solution also plays an important role in medicine in the form of an infusion. It is administered after an accident or an operation to replenish the blood volume.
Saline solution is used for colds and hay fever in the form of nasal sprays, for nasal rinsing and for gargling. Respiratory diseases such as asthma are treated with inhalation devices, which are used to inhale a salt aerosol. Brine baths are used as a remedy for various ailments, for example of the skin.
Gloved hand holding cleaning products

Sodium chloride in the cleaning industry

Sodium chloride is used in cleaning equipment and detergents as part of a water softening system. This improves the efficiency of cleaning machines such as dishwashers or washing machines and reduces limescale deposits.
Sodium chloride is also used in cleaning agents due to its abrasive nature. The granular form helps to remove dirt and stains. Sodium chloride is also used by the cleaning industry in the production of bleaching agents.

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Sodium chloride in the textile industry

Sodium chloride increases the permeability of fibres and optimises the dye absorption capacity of textiles in dyeing processes.
As a fixing agent, it not only improves colour fastness, but also fixes certain chemicals to fabrics.
Construction worker fixing wooden stairs with polyurethane spray gun, home renovation

Sodium chloride in the construction industry

Salt is added to some concrete mixes to increase the strength and durability of the concrete.
It also plays a role in soil conditioning: sodium chloride is used to stabilise uneven or problematic soils. Salt is also used as a desiccant on construction sites.

Other areas of application for sodium chloride

Sodium chloride is a key component in the production of PVC. It is used in refrigerant mixtures due to its ability to lower the melting point of water. Sodium chloride is also added to paints and varnishes to influence their viscosity, i.e. flow properties.

Sodium chloride is used in the desalination of water in a process known as reverse osmosis. Salt can also be used to regulate the pH value of water. Sodium chloride is used in paper production in the bleaching process for pulp and acts as a separating or extracting agent in solvent systems.

In addition, salt is used in the adhesives and sealants industry as a filler that optimises the flow properties of the product. It is also used in some cases as a catalyst or activator in vulcanisation processes for the production of rubber and caoutchouc.

The ionising effect of sodium chloride is also used in metal processing. In addition, sodium chloride acts as an additive in some lubricants to stabilise and protect against corrosion.