Sodium carbonate, washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals is an inorganic compound with the formula Na2CO3 and its various hydrate
It is white, odourless, water-soluble salt that yield alkaline solutions in water
It is produced in large quantities from sodium chloride and limestone by the Solvay process
Applications:
As a cleansing agent for domestic purposes like washing clothes, it is a component of many dry soap powders
It has detergent properties through the process of saponification which converts fats and grease to water-soluble salts
It is used for lowering the hardness of water
In the manufacture of glass, soap, pulp, paper and flow gas
In the manufacture of sodium compounds like borax
Properties:
CAS Number 497-19-8 (anhydrous)
EC Number 207-838-8
Chemical formula Na2CO3
Molar mass 105.99 g/mol (anhydrous)
Appearance white solid, hygroscopic
Odor Odorless
Density 2.54 g/cm3 @25 °C (anhydrous)
Melting point 851 °C (anhydrous)
HS Code 28362090