Potassium Nitrate Uses

Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) is a naturally occurring mineral that contains three basic chemical elements. It contains potassium that is a soft, light, silver metal, nitrogen a colorless odorless gas and oxygen, the most essential element for life. The combination of these three elements forms potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter or nitre. It is found as a thin white crust on rocks, caves and soils that are rich in organic mater. It is abundantly found in India, Spain, Egypt and Italy.

Potassium nitrate is soluble in hot water and slightly soluble in cold water. When the compound is heated or on decomposition, it releases oxygen. It is a strong oxidizing agent that burns and explodes on reaction with other organic compounds. The melting point of potassium nitrate is 334º C and the boiling point is 400º C. Let us know more about potassium nitrate uses. Read more on history of potassium.

Uses of Potassium Nitrate

There are many uses of potassium nitrate. The following points will help explain the various potassium nitrate uses:

Potassium Nitrate Fertilizer
Potassium nitrate fertilizer is the most widely used application of the compound. It contains all the macro nutrients needed for growth of plant species. It has potassium that is vital for growth of plants. Nitrogen helps the crops to fully mature, rather than delaying their growth.

Food Preservative
Use of potassium nitrate as food preservatives was commonly seen during the Middle Ages. Today, it is used in many processes like curing meat, production of brine and making corned beef.

Potassium Nitrate for Explosives
According to the ancient Chinese firecracker invention history, the Chinese had accidentally stumbled upon one of the greatest discoveries of all time. The mixture of 15% carbon, 10% sulfur and 75% potassium nitrate resulted in the "Chinese Snow" or " Devil's Distillate". This black power is now commonly known as gunpowder. It has been used to make fireworks, grenades, bombs, etc. It is also used as an ingredient for amateur solid-rocket propellant.

During the initial years of discovering gunpowder, the ingredients of gunpowder were carefully hand mixed and broken into small pieces. Today, charcoal and sulfur are mixed using a tumbling action with the steel balls rotating in a hollow cylinder. Potassium nitrate is powdered separately and mixed and grounded along with other ingredients. Then it is pressed into cakes and re-broken and separated into grains of standard sizes. Then the grains are tumbled in wooden cylinders to make the edges smooth. Graphite is added to give a moisture resistant and friction reducing film on the cake.

Potassium Nitrate Uses in Cigarettes
Potassium nitrate is a frequently used ingredient in cigarettes. It is used during the production and manufacturing of cigarettes. It helps in burning the tobacco evenly. (Statuary Warning: Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health).

Other Potassium Nitrate Uses
Potassium nitrate is used as a diuretic in medicine. Potassium nitrate uses also include its use as an ingredient in toothpastes. It makes the teeth less sensitive to pain, by interfering with the transmission of pain signals in the nerves of teeth. It is also added to drugs for back pain and joint pain. It is also used to produce kinescope, optic glass, high grade craft glassware, etc. Uses of potassium nitrate also include its use in metalworking as a flux and in the preservation of hides.

These were some of the potassium nitrate uses in many fields and industries. It has also been famous for generations among the male population, due to a myth that claims potassium nitrate to be a great aphrodisiac. Myth or fact, the other uses of potassium nitrate are a reality, making the saltpeter, one of the most useful compounds on Earth.