Chemical Datasheet
POTASSIUM NITRATE |
|
Chemical Identifiers
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CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and instability hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and instability hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
| CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | CHRIS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
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NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A white to dirty gray crystalline solid. Water soluble. Noncombustible, but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in fire or the combustible material is finely divided an explosion may result. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires. Used in solid propellants, explosives, fertilizers.
Hazards
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Reactivity Alerts - Special alerts if the chemical is especially reactive
(see list of reactivity alerts).
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents - Absorbents are products that can be used to soak up liquids from spills. However, some absorbents can react with particular chemicals (that is, they are incompatible), so caution should be used in selecting the correct absorbent for your situation. This section provides a list of potentially incompatible absorbents that have been known to react with liquids assigned to one or more of the reactive groups listed on this datasheet. Read more about absorbents, including situations to watch out for.
List of data sources.
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents - Absorbents are products that can be used to soak up liquids from spills. However, some absorbents can react with particular chemicals (that is, they are incompatible), so caution should be used in selecting the correct absorbent for your situation. This section provides a list of potentially incompatible absorbents that have been known to react with liquids assigned to one or more of the reactive groups listed on this datasheet. Read more about absorbents, including situations to watch out for.
List of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
- Strong Oxidizing Agent
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: May produce toxic nitrogen oxides upon decomposition.
Behavior in Fire: Strong oxidizer which may react explosively when mixed with reducing agents. Mixture may detonate by heat or shock. Increases the flammability of any combustible material. (USCG, 1999)
Behavior in Fire: Strong oxidizer which may react explosively when mixed with reducing agents. Mixture may detonate by heat or shock. Increases the flammability of any combustible material. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Exposure can cause mild irritation of eyes, nose and throat. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
POTASSIUM NITRATE mixed with alkyl esters may explode, owing to the formation of alkyl nitrates; mixtures with phosphorus, tin (II) chloride, or other reducing agents may react explosively [Bretherick 1979. p. 108-109]. Powdered antimony mixed with potassium nitrate explodes when heated [Mellor 9:282 1946-47]. A mixture of antimony trisulfide and potassium nitrate explodes at a red heat [Mellor 9:524. 1946-47]. Arsenic disulfide forms explosive mixtures when mixed with potassium nitrate, [Mellor 9:270.1946-47]. A mixture of sodium acetate and potassium nitrate may cause an explosion [Pieters 1957. p. 30]. A mixture of potassium nitrate and sodium hypophosphite constitutes a powerful explosive [Mellor 8:881. 1946-47]. A mixture of powdered zirconium and potassium nitrate explodes when heated above the melting point [Mellor 7:116. 1946-47].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...
- Cellulose-Based Absorbents
- Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
Response Recommendations
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Isolation and Evacuation - Isolation and evacuation distance
recommendations from the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear.
Dupont Tychem® Suit Fabrics - A table of normalized breakthrough times for DuPont Tychem suit fabrics for the chemical, if available.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear.
Dupont Tychem® Suit Fabrics - A table of normalized breakthrough times for DuPont Tychem suit fabrics for the chemical, if available.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from GUIDE 140 [Oxidizers]:
As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2012)
As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2012)
Firefighting
Excerpt from GUIDE 140 [Oxidizers]:
SMALL FIRE: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.
LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2012)
SMALL FIRE: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.
LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2012)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from GUIDE 140 [Oxidizers]:
Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.
SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.
SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Following product recovery, flush area with water. (ERG, 2012)
Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.
SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.
SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Following product recovery, flush area with water. (ERG, 2012)
Protective Clothing
Full cover clothing and chemical goggles. Use approved respirator to protect against dust. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Get medical attention.
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air.
EYES: Flush with water for at least 15 min., lifting lids occasionally.
SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush with water. (USCG, 1999)
INHALATION: Remove to fresh air.
EYES: Flush with water for at least 15 min., lifting lids occasionally.
SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush with water. (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
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This section contains physical properties, flammability limits, and toxic thresholds for this chemical (see
definitions of each property).
More property data is available for common chemicals.
See also the Levels of Concern guide for information on AEGLs, ERPGs, PACs, and IDLH values.
List of data sources.
See also the Levels of Concern guide for information on AEGLs, ERPGs, PACs, and IDLH values.
List of data sources.
| Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
633.2 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
2.109
(USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point:
752 ° F
at 760.0 mm Hg
(decomposes)
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
101.11
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium nitrate (7757-79-1) | 0.074 mg/m3 | 0.82 mg/m3 | 600 mg/m3 |
(SCAPA, 2012)
Regulatory Information
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This section contains regulatory information from the Title III Consolidated
List of Lists (see
details about each regulatory field).
List of data sources.
List of data sources.
Alternate Chemical Names
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
- COLLO-BO
- DEXOL STUMP REMOVER
- NITER
- NITRE
- NITRIC ACID POTASSIUM SALT (1:1)
- NITRIC ACID, POTASSIUM SALT
- POTASH NITRATE
- POTASSIUM NITRATE
- SALTPETER
Web site owner: Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA's Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. USA.gov.
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