Chromium Sulfate
Manufacturing Process
Chromium sulfate, particularly basic chromium sulfate, is commonly used in various industrial applications. Also known as Cr2(SO4)3, this compound is typically in the form of a greenish powder, and in its hexahydrate form, it can appear as violet or purple crystals. Its chemical properties include limited solubility in water, a complex structure often involving sulfate and hydroxide ions, and acidic characteristics.
Its primary applications span across different industries:
Leather Tanning Industry:
Basic chromium sulfate is a vital component in the leather tanning process. It serves as a tanning agent, stabilizing collagen fibers in animal hides and transforming them into leather, rendering the material resistant to microbial attack and decay.Textile Industry:
Used as a mordant in the textile industry to improve the adherence of dyes to fabrics during dyeing and printing processes.Wood Preservation:
Applied as a wood preservative, especially for outdoor structures like utility poles and railroad ties, to protect against decay and insect infestation.
It’s important to note that while chromium sulfate has various industrial applications, efforts are made to handle and dispose of it responsibly due to the toxic nature of chromium. Regulations and guidelines are in place to ensure safe usage and disposal in industrial processes.
Chromium sulfate, specifically basic chromium sulfate, is commonly used in various industrial applications. Here are some of its applications:
Leather Industry
Basic chromium sulphate can be used in the tanning and re-tanning of any kind of leather, for example, even hides and skin. This process is commonly referred to as chrome tanning. Basic chromium sulphate is regarded as the most efficient and effective tanning agent. The basic chromium sulphate dissolves to give rise to products, that at high pH, undergo a process called olation to give polychromium compounds that are responsible for the cross linking of the collagen subunits, thus being the most active part of the tanning process.Tanning Industry:
Basic chromium sulfate is extensively used in the tanning industry for the production of leather. It acts as a tanning agent, helping to stabilize the structure of collagen fibers in the skin, making it resistant to microbial attack and decay.Textile Industry:
Chromium sulfate is employed in the textile industry for dyeing and printing fabrics. It serves as a mordant, enhancing the adherence of dyes to the textile fibers.Wood Preservation:
In wood preservation, chromium sulfate is utilized as a wood preservative to protect wood against decay and insect infestation. It is often applied as a treatment for utility poles, railroad ties, and other outdoor wood structures.Corrosion Inhibitor:
Chromium sulfate is sometimes used as a corrosion inhibitor in cooling water treatment systems to protect metal surfaces from corrosion.Catalysis:
Chromium compounds, including chromium sulfate, can act as catalysts in certain chemical reactions.Mordant in Photography:
In historical photographic processes, chromium sulfate has been used as a mordant to sensitize gelatin emulsions.- Other Applications
Basic chromium sulfate can also be used in making ceramics, green ink and organic substances. It can also be used for dyeing and printing.
Chemical Formula | CrH3O12S3 |
Synonym | Chromium (III) Sulphate |
H.S. Code | 3202.10.00 |
CAS No. | 10101-53-8 |
Molecular Weight | 392.18 gmol-1 |
Property | Units | Value |
---|---|---|
Apperance | Dark green powder | |
Cr2O3 content | % | 24 – 26 |
Basicity | % | 32 – 34 |
Iron content (Fe) | % | 0.1 (max) |
Water insoluble material | % | 0.1 (max) |