Sodium silicoaluminate

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Sodium aluminosilicate, also referred to as sodium silicoaluminate, is a chemical with the formula AlNa₁₂SiO₅ and CAS 1344-00-9. It is an aluminosilicate compound with sodium cations, taking the form of a white crystalline solid.

In minerals, as a feldspar, it is found as albite, an end-member of the plagioclase series.

It is often added as an anticaking agent to various products including table salt and other food products, powders, and house paints to prevent the formation of large crystals or lumps. When used as a food additive, it is sometimes designated "E-554".

Some other applications of sodium silicates:

For their detergent properties: in silicated soaps, in fabric washing powders, for dishwashers, for cleaning metals, for washing bottles;
For their binding properties: in cardboard and paper making, in the production of refractory and insulating materials, in the timber, fertilizer and welding electrode industries, in casting for sand molding, for ground consolidation, for fire protection;
For removing ink from waste paper, in water treatment, in ore flotation, for production of special cements and of cracking and zeolite catalysts;
As intermediate products in the manufacture of Zeolite A (sodium silicoaluminate).
Also used in some meal replacement shakes.

[edit] Synonyms

Sodium silicoaluminate may also be listed as Silicic acid, aluminum sodium salt, Sodium aluminosilicate, Aluminosilicic acid, sodium salt, Sodium aluminum silicate, Aluminum sodium silicate, or Sasil