Usage & Application

Sodium Acetate Trihydrate (CH₃COONa·3H₂O) is a versatile, mild alkaline salt widely used as a buffering agent, pH stabilizer, mordant assistant, and neutralizer. Its gentle, stable chemical behavior makes it valuable in textile dyeing, finishing, and various industrial processes.

1. Applications in Textile Industry

✔ 1. pH Buffering in Dyeing Processes

Sodium acetate effectively maintains a stable mildly acidic pH (4.5–6.5), especially critical in:

Reactive dyeing

Vat dyeing

Sulphur dyeing

Direct dyeing

Indigo dyeing (certain steps)

Benefits:

Prevents sudden pH changes

Ensures level dyeing

Reduces shade variation

Improves color reproducibility

✔ 2. Mordanting Assistant in Dyeing

Used with metal complex dyes and acid dyes for wool, nylon, and silk.

Functions:

Stabilizes dye-lake formation

Enhances dye penetration

Improves leveling and brightness

✔ 3. Neutralization After Alkali Treatments

After scouring, bleaching, or mercerization, sodium acetate helps neutralize residual alkali without damaging fibers.

Compared to acetic acid:

Gentler on fibers

More stable pH control

Prevents over-acidification

✔ 4. Dye Bath Stabilization

Added to dye baths to:

Reduce hydrolysis of reactive dyes

Control migration and improve levelness

Help with consistent batch-to-batch quality

✔ 5. Finishing Auxiliaries

Used in finishing baths as a:

Buffering agent

Softener stabilizer

Anti-yellowing additive

✔ 6. Textile Wastewater Treatment

Assists in pH control

Enhances biological treatment as a carbon source

Improves COD/BOD reduction efficiency

2. Dosage Guidelines (Industry Range)

Dosage depends on shade, fabric type, and dye class.

Buffering in dye baths: 1–5 g/L

Neutralization after dyeing/bleaching: 0.5–2 g/L

Mordanting assistance: 1–3 g/L

Finishing baths: 0.5–2 g/L

Wastewater (carbon source): 10–100 mg/L depending on system

3. Advantages

Mild and safe buffering agent

Prevents pH spikes that affect dyeing

Improves color uniformity and levelness

Non-corrosive and fabric-safe

Compatible with most textile chemicals

Easy to dissolve and dose

4. Applications in Other Industries

✔ 1. Food Industry (Food Grade Only)

(Not applicable to industrial-grade sodium acetate)

Flavoring agent

Acidity regulator

Preservative in snacks and sauces

✔ 2. Pharmaceuticals

Buffer in formulations

Component in IV solutions

Laboratory reagent

✔ 3. Leather Tanning

pH control in tanning baths

Neutralizes strong acids

Enhances leather softness and dye penetration

✔ 4. Detergents & Cleaning Products

pH stabilization in liquid detergents

Softening/chelating additive

Improves cleaning performance

✔ 5. Chemical Industry

Intermediate in dye and pigment manufacturing

Catalyst in certain organic reactions

Used in electrolytic processes

✔ 6. Photography & Printing

Component in photo developer solutions

Stabilizes acidity during processing

✔ 7. Heat Packs (Reusable Hand Warmers)

Sodium acetate trihydrate is the main phase-change material in crystallization-based heat packs.

5. Safety & Handling

Low hazard, but avoid inhaling dust

Store in cool, dry conditions

Use gloves and eye protection for industrial handling