Acids & Salts Available — Bulk Only

Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter)

NaNO3
CAS 7631-99-4 · Formula NNaO3 · MW 84.995 g/mol

Inorganic nitrate oxidizer for glass, explosives, nitric-acid synthesis, and heat-transfer salts. HSDB documents its use in fertilizers, as the oxidizing component of explosives and blasting agents, as an oxidizer and fluxing agent in glass and enamel manufacture, and in the production of nitric acid and sodium nitrite.

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UN Number
UN 1498
Hazard Class
Class 5.1
HS Code
3102.50
At a Glance
Material Family
Acids & Salts
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Preservation · Synthesis Intermediate
Functional Roles
SODIUM NITRATE
ORAL CARESOOTHING
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
  • Glass and enamels: Oxidizer and fluxing agent in melt manufacture.
  • Oxidizer: Oxidizing component of explosives and blasting agents.
  • Chemical synthesis: Feedstock for nitric acid and sodium nitrite.
  • Heat-transfer salt: Component of molten-salt heat-transfer media.
  • Food processing: Color fixative in cured meats.
Physical Properties
Melting Point
307 °C
Boiling Point
Decomposes 380 °C
Density
2.26 at 20 °C
Solubility
is soluble in liquid ammonia and forms Na NO3.4NH3 below -42 °C. The solubility in anhydrous methanol is 2.8 wt% at 25 °C
pH
Aq soln is neutral
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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DOT / UN Transport Classification
DOT hazard class 5.1 placard
UN / DOT NumberUN 1498
Hazard Class / DivisionClass 5.1
Packing GroupIII
Proper Shipping NameSodium nitrate

Transport classification per the UN Model Regulations / 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. Confirm against the grade-specific SDS (Section 14) before shipping.

HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
3102 . 50
Chapter 31
Fertilisers
Heading 31.02
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 3102.50
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
7631-99-4
Molecular Formula
NNaO3
Molecular Weight
84.995 g/mol
IUPAC Name
sodium nitrate
INCI Name
SODIUM NITRATE
PubChem CID
InChI Key
VWDWKYIASSYTQR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
SODIUM NITRATE Chile saltpeter Cubic niter Soda niter Nitrate of soda etabisulfite Nitratine Sodium saltpeter Nitrate de sodium Nitric acid, sodium salt Saltpeter (Chile) Nitric acid monosodium salt Nitric acid sodium salt (1:1) Natrum nitricum Sodium nitrate(DOT) Sodium(I) nitrate (1:1) Nitric acid sodium salt
Full Description

Sodium nitrate (CAS 7631-99-4), also called Chile saltpeter, is an inorganic oxidizer. HSDB documents its use in fertilizers, as the oxidizing component of explosives and blasting agents, as an oxidizer and fluxing agent in glass and enamel manufacture, and in the production of nitric acid and sodium nitrite. It also serves as a color fixative in cured-meat processing and as a heat-transfer salt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sodium nitrate USP granular used for?

Sodium nitrate (CAS 7631-99-4, also called Chile saltpeter) is an inorganic oxidizer used as an oxidizer and fluxing agent in glass and enamel manufacture, as the oxidizing component of explosives and blasting agents, as a feedstock for nitric acid and sodium nitrite, as a component of molten-salt heat-transfer media, and as a color fixative in cured-meat processing. RawSource supplies USP granular grade for these industrial and processing applications.

What is the difference between USP granular sodium nitrate and technical grade?

USP grade is manufactured to United States Pharmacopeia purity and identity specifications, with tighter impurity limits than technical/industrial grade; granular refers to the physical particle form. Choose USP where pharmacopeial specifications are required and technical grade for general industrial oxidizer use. Request the CoA to confirm the grade meets your specification.

What is the molecular formula and CAS number for sodium nitrate?

Sodium nitrate is NaNO3 (NNaO3), CAS 7631-99-4. RawSource provides a CoA confirming assay, particle form, and specifications for each lot of USP granular material.

How is sodium nitrate shipped, given that it is an oxidizer?

Sodium nitrate is assigned UN 1498 (oxidizing solid) for transport; DOT/IMDG shipping must follow the requirements for that hazard class, and RawSource ships in compliant packaging with the SDS. It is supplied granular in bags, drums, and bulk. Request the SDS for handling and transport documentation.

How do I get a bulk quote for sodium nitrate USP granular?

Bulk pricing depends on grade, volume, and packaging (bags, drums, supersacks, or pallet quantities). Contact RawSource with your required grade and volume for a current bulk quote, CoA, and SDS.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.