SODIUM NITRITE BASF® TECHNICAL GRADE

Technical Grade Sodium Nitrite Description: High-Purity Free Flowing Corrosion Inhibitor

At Quimiconsult we offer BASF® technical grade Free Flowing Sodium Nitrite, a yellowish-white crystalline solid powder with a minimum purity of 99.0 g NaNO₂ per 100 g. It is a hygroscopic compound that is very soluble in water, used mainly as a corrosion inhibitor; it also shows antimicrobial properties and helps reduce odors in treatment systems and disinfection solutions.

Its distinguishing feature is its Free Flowing condition: the powder does not cake or stick together, which makes it easier to handle, weigh, dose and dissolve in industrial processes. This is a real practical advantage in a hygroscopic product, whose conventional versions tend to cake in storage and must be broken up before use.

As a corrosion inhibitor, sodium nitrite acts as an anodic passivator: in contact with steel and iron surfaces in aqueous media it promotes the formation of a stable, protective oxide film that slows corrosive attack on the metal. This is why it is a common component of cleaning and disinfection solutions, closed water systems, construction additives and chemical processes where equipment, piping and metal structures need protection.

Available in Monterrey, with shipping throughout Mexico. Supplied in a 25 kg bag and a 200 g sample for trials. For industrial use only: for food applications use BASF® food grade Sodium Nitrite.

Technical Specifications and Physicochemical Properties of Technical Grade Sodium Nitrite

Chemically it is identified as sodium nitrite, formula NaNO₂, CAS number 7632-00-0. It appears as a white granulated powder, colorless or slightly yellow, with a Free Flowing condition that prevents caking.

Its minimum sodium nitrite content is 99.0 g/100 g, a purity on par with more demanding grades, ensuring reliable dosing of the active component. Sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) is limited to a maximum of 0.8 g/100 g and moisture (H₂O) to a maximum of 0.20 g/100 g, a key parameter for keeping the powder free flowing.

As for impurities, sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) is limited to a maximum of 600 mg/kg, sodium chloride (NaCl) to a maximum of 50 mg/kg, sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) to a maximum of 300 mg/kg and water insolubles to a maximum of 50 mg/kg. The low chloride content is especially relevant in anti-corrosion applications, since chlorides are one of the main drivers of pitting corrosion in steel; the low insolubles content ensures clean solutions, free of residues that could clog nozzles, filters or dosing systems.

From an industrial handling standpoint, sodium nitrite is an oxidizing solid (it may intensify a fire) and is toxic if swallowed. It is stable under the recommended storage conditions and must be kept away from acids, ammonium salts, amines, reducing agents, powdered metals and combustible organic materials. For transport it is classified as UN 1500, class 5.1 (6.1), packing group III.

Applications of Technical Grade Sodium Nitrite — Uses by Industry

Technical grade sodium nitrite is a versatile inorganic salt with applications in water treatment, industrial cleaning, construction, metalworking and chemical synthesis. Below are its main uses by sector:

Cleaning and Disinfection Solutions

The main application listed in the technical data sheet is as a corrosion inhibitor in disinfection solutions. Many sanitizing and disinfecting solutions, especially those containing oxidizers or salts, can attack carbon steel tanks, piping, nozzles and equipment. Adding sodium nitrite to the formulation protects these metal surfaces and extends equipment life without affecting the solution's performance.

According to the technical data sheet, the product also acts as a bactericidal agent, as it shows antimicrobial properties, and helps reduce odors in treatment systems and disinfection solutions, making it a multifunctional additive for formulators of institutional and industrial cleaning products.

Closed-Loop Water Treatment

In closed cooling and heating loops, chilled water systems, idle boilers and fire protection systems, sodium nitrite is a long-established corrosion inhibitor for protecting steel piping and equipment. It is usually formulated together with other inhibitors, pH buffers and biocides, and its concentration is monitored periodically to maintain protection. Its high solubility and Free Flowing condition make dosing solutions easy to prepare.

Construction, Concrete and Mortars

In the construction industry, sodium nitrite is used to formulate concrete and mortar admixtures, where it helps protect reinforcing steel against corrosion and, in certain formulations, acts as a set accelerator or as a component of cold-weather concreting admixtures. Admixture and construction product manufacturers value its low chloride content, an important requirement in reinforced concrete.

Metalworking and Surface Treatment

In metalworking, sodium nitrite is used as a temporary corrosion inhibitor in cutting fluids, rinse solutions and protection of steel parts between process steps, as a component of bluing baths and heat-treatment salts, and as an accelerator in some phosphating processes. In all these applications, contact with amines must be avoided, as undesirable compounds can form.

Chemical Industry, Dyes and Synthesis

Sodium nitrite is a precursor to a variety of organic compounds, pharmaceuticals, dyes and pesticides. Its best-known use in industrial chemistry is the diazotization of aromatic amines, the base reaction for manufacturing azo dyes and pigments used in textiles, inks, plastics and coatings. It is also used as a reagent in the synthesis of pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates, and in the rubber industry.

Technical Grade Sodium Nitrite Packaging and Availability

BASF® technical grade Sodium Nitrite is available in a 25 kg bag, the standard pack for cleaning product formulators, water treatment companies, construction admixture manufacturers and chemical plants. For development labs and formulation trials we offer a 200 g sample.

The product is in stock in Monterrey, Nuevo León, with shipping throughout Mexico, and comes with volume-based tiered pricing. The technical data sheet and safety data sheet can be downloaded from this page.

Safe Storage and Handling of Sodium Nitrite

Storage Conditions

Sodium nitrite must be stored in its original, tightly closed packaging, in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place, protected from moisture and heat; although it is Free Flowing, it is still hygroscopic and an open bag can pick up moisture from the air. Being an oxidizing solid (H272), it must be kept away from combustible materials, solvents, sawdust, paper, flammable substances and ignition sources. It is incompatible with acids, ammonium salts, amines, reducing agents and powdered metals.

The product must be stored locked up and away from food, beverages and animal feed, in a labeled, restricted-access area. In case of a spill, collect it with inert material such as dry sand or vermiculite (never sawdust), place it in labeled containers and keep it out of drains, since it is very toxic to aquatic life.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Sodium nitrite is toxic if swallowed (H301), causes serious eye irritation (H319), may cause an allergic skin reaction (H317) and may irritate the respiratory tract (H335). For eye and face protection, safety glasses and a face shield are required. For hand and body protection, chemical-resistant gloves, an apron or coveralls and boots. For respiratory protection, a high-efficiency particulate filter when transferring large quantities or when local exhaust is not available. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the handling area, and wash hands after handling the product.

Other Names, Synonyms and Search Terms

Nitrous acid, sodium salt is the systematic chemical name listed as an alternative identifier in the safety data sheet and in chemical substance databases, linked to CAS number 7632-00-0.

NaNO₂ is the chemical formula of sodium nitrite, frequently used in technical data sheets, certificates of analysis and purchase specifications to identify the compound unambiguously.

Industrial sodium nitrite or free flowing sodium nitrite are the terms buyers in the chemical, cleaning and construction industries use to tell this grade apart from food grade sodium nitrite.

Nitrito de sodio grado técnico is the Spanish name used by buyers and plants in Mexico and Latin America, on purchase orders and in local technical documentation.

Corrosion inhibitor or water corrosion inhibitor are the functional terms cleaning product formulators, water treatment companies and maintenance managers use when searching for this product.

Sodium nitrite suppliers in Mexico is the most frequent search term among industrial buyers who need a local distributor with stock on hand, complete technical documentation and nationwide delivery without import lead times.