Potassium alum

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Potassium alum, potash alum, or potassium aluminium sulfate is a chemical compound: the potassium double sulfate of aluminium. Its chemical formula is KAl(SO₄)₂ and it is commonly found in its dodecahydrate form as KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O. Alum is the common name for this chemical compound, given the nomenclature of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate. It is commonly used in water purification, leather tanning, dyeing, fireproof textiles, and baking powder. It also has cosmetic uses as a deodorant, as an aftershave treatment and as a styptic for minor bleeding from shaving.

Video Potassium alum

Characteristics

Potassium alum crystallizes in regular octahedra with flattened corners and is very soluble in water. The solution reddens litmus and is an astringent. When heated to nearly a red heat, it gives a porous, friable mass, which is known as "burnt alum". It fuses at 92 °C (198 °F) in its own water of crystallization. "Neutral alum" is obtained by the addition of as much sodium carbonate to a solution of alum as will begin to cause the separation of alumina.

Maps Potassium alum

Mineral form and occurrence

Potassium alum or alum-(K) is a naturally occurring sulfate mineral, which typically occurs as encrustations on rocks in areas of weathering and oxidation of sulfide minerals and potassium-bearing minerals. In the past, alum was obtained from alunite, a mineral mined from sulfur-containing volcanic sediments source. Alunite is an associate and likely potassium and aluminium source. It has been reported at Vesuvius, Italy; east of Springsure, Queensland; Alum Cave, Tennessee; Alum Gulch, Santa Cruz County, Arizona and the Philippine island of Cebu. A related mineral is kalinite, a fibrous mineral with formula KAl(SO₄)₂·11H₂O.

Grow Purple Chrome Alum Crystals - Simulated Amethyst

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Uses

Chemical

in tanning of leather to prepare the hide
as a mordant for dyes
in the clarifying of turbid liquids, including post-storm treatment of lakes to precipitate contaminants
as a fire retardant in textile products
(historically) as a hardener for photographic emulsions (films and papers), usually as part of the fixer. Modern alternatives are superior.

Medicinal

as an astringent/styptic and antiseptic.
- as a natural deodorant by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria responsible for body odor.
- after shaving to prepare the skin
- to reduce bleeding in minor cuts and abrasions, nosebleeds, and hemorrhoids.
- to remove pimples and acne.
- topically to cauterize aphthous ulcers.

Culinary

As an additive to baking powder to provide a second leavening phase at high temperatures.
To preserve and add crispness to fruit and vegetable especially when pickling.