Substance profile
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluoride is colorless, cubic or tetragonal crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Sodium Fluoride is
Sodium Fluoride is colorless, cubic or tetragonal crystals and is odorless. Its molecular formula is FNa and its molecular weight is 41.988 g/mol. It boils at 1704 °C, melts at 993 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH032
Precautionary statements: P264, P270, P280, P301, P302, P305, P310, P313, P330, P332, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium Fluoride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 1704 °C (3099.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1704 °C (3099 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 1695 °C (3083 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 993 °C (1819.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 992.78 °C (1819 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 2.78 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.79 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in alcohol | HSDB | |
| 4% | NIOSH | ||
| 10 to 50 mg/mL at 73 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.78 °C | CAMEO | |
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | approx | NIOSH |
| 1 mmHg | at 1077 °C | HSDB | |
| 1 mmHg | at 1077.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Solid | NIOSH |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sodium Fluoride
Storage conditions
Aqueous solutions of sodium fluoride slowly decompose and become alkaline when stored in glass. Therefore, sodium fluoride solutions should be stored in tight, plastic containers, especially if the pH of the solution is less than 7.5. Sodium fluoride solutions and tablets should be stored at a temperature less than 40 °C, preferably between 15-30 °C; freezing of the solutions should be avoided. Sodium fluoride is incompatible with calcium and magnesium salts.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
SODIUM FLUORIDE reacts with acids to form corrosive and toxic HF [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 842].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sodium Fluoride in the storage compatibility matrix →