Substance profile
Sodium Silicate
Sodium Silicate is colorless monoclinic crystals.
01 · Identification
What Sodium Silicate is
Sodium Silicate is colorless monoclinic crystals. Its molecular formula is Na2O3Si and its molecular weight is 122.063 g/mol. It boils at 100 °C, melts at 1089 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Sodium Silicate
- disodium metasilicate
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.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Sodium Silicate 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 | 100 °C (212 °F) | NONAHYDRATE | HSDB |
| 102 °C (215.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | 1089 °C (1992.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 48 °C (118.4 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Density | 2.614 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.4 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.4 g/cm³ | range, midpoint shown, at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | VERY SOL IN COLD & HOT WATER; SOLUBLE IN DILUTE SODIUM HYDROXIDE; INSOLUBLE IN ALCOHOL, ACIDS | NONAHYDRATE | HSDB |
| SOL IN WATER; INSOL IN ALCOHOL | HSDB | ||
| INSOL IN ACIDS, SALT SOLN | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 18 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Sodium metasilicate is considered to be too corrosive to be widely used in consumer product laundering formulations. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Sodium Silicate
Incompatible materials
Sodium metasilicate ignites in fluorine.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
SODIUM SILICATE contains a variable amount of water of hydration. Rate of dissolution depends on the degree of hydration, the amount of water that is used as solvent (less soluble in large amounts of water) and the temperature (higher temperature means quicker solution). Aqueous solutions react as bases. Reacts violently with fluorine [Lewis.]
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Sodium Silicate in the storage compatibility matrix →