Sodium Tripolyphosphate STPP Na₅P₃O₁₀
Product Description
Tripolyphosphate.
1. Basic Properties
Appearance: White powder or granules.
Solubility: Readily soluble in water.
Aqueous Solution Property: Its water solution is alkaline.
Main Functions: It has two key chemical characteristics:
Chelation: It can bind with metal ions in water (such as calcium, magnesium, and iron ions) to form soluble complexes. This is the core principle behind its use as a water softener and detergent builder.
Dispersion: It can disperse and emulsify dirt and solid particles, preventing them from redepositing onto fabrics or tableware.
2. Primary Uses
Sodium Tripolyphosphate was once the most important builder in synthetic detergents and also has a wide range of other applications:
Detergent Industry (Primary Use)
Softening Hard Water: By binding with calcium and magnesium ions, it improves detergent efficiency in hard water and prevents soap scum formation.
Enhancing Soil Removal: Its dispersive action helps the primary surfactants remove stains more effectively and prevents soil from redepositing.
Buffering Action: Maintains the wash liquor in an optimal alkaline pH range for improved cleaning.
Food Industry (as a Food Additive)
Meat Products: Used in ham, sausages, surimi, etc., to improve water retention, resulting in a tender texture and higher product yield.
Seafood: Used in treating frozen shrimp, fish, etc., to reduce drip loss upon thawing.
Dairy Products: Used in cheese and dairy beverages as a stabilizer and emulsifier.
In food, it is used as a moisture retention agent, quality improvement agent, and pH regulator. Its international code as a food additive is E451(i).
Common Applications:
Industrial Applications
Water Treatment: Used as a water softener and corrosion inhibitor in industrial cooling water systems.
Ceramics Industry: Serves as a deflocculant for ceramic slips.
Drilling Muds: Used as a dispersant.
Textile Dyeing: Used as an auxiliary agent.