Potassium Chloride
An industrial grade inorganic salt, supplied as potassium chloride for salting out, dye standardisation and electrolyte duty in reactive dyeing.
What is Potassium Chloride?
Potassium Chloride is a white crystalline salt built from potassium and chloride ions in a simple cubic lattice. It dissolves freely in water and does almost nothing chemically in a dye process — which is precisely the point.
Its job is physical. Added to a dye liquor it raises the ionic strength of the solution, and the dissolved dye, which depends on hydration to stay in solution, comes out as a filterable solid. The same effect run in reverse in a dyebath drives the dye onto the fibre, which is why an electrolyte is charged in reactive dyeing of cotton and viscose. It is also the standard diluent for adjusting a finished dye powder to a target colour strength.
At Chelora Dyes, KCl is supplied dried and screened to a consistent particle size with low insoluble matter, so it dissolves quickly, leaves nothing behind on the filter, and does not carry hardness or grit into the finished product.
- Appearance
- White crystals
- Odour
- Odourless
- Solubility
- Freely in water
- Function
- Salting-out agent
- Grade
- Industrial / technical
A simple ionic salt of potassium and chlorine
- Molecular formulaKCl
- Molecular weight74.55 g/mol
- IUPAC namePotassium chloride
- StructureIonic, face-centred cubic
- CAS number7447-40-7
Technical product information
Standard specification for Chelora Dyes' industrial grade Potassium Chloride. Low-sodium and alternative mesh grades are available on request.
| Chemical name | Potassium Chloride |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | KCl, Muriate of potash, Potassium salt |
| CAS number | 7447-40-7 |
| Molecular formula | KCl |
| Molecular weight | 74.55 g/mol |
| Assay (dry basis) | ≥ 99.0% |
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder or granules |
| Melting point | Approx. 770°C |
| Bulk density | Approx. 1.0–1.2 g/cm³ |
| Moisture content | ≤ 0.5% |
| Water insoluble matter | ≤ 0.05% |
| Sulphate (as SO4) | ≤ 0.2% |
| pH (5% solution) | 5.0–8.0 |
| Solubility | Approx. 340 g/L in water at 20°C; rises with temperature |
| Packaging | 25 kg / 50 kg lined bags, 1000 kg jumbo bags |
| Shelf life | 36 months in sealed original packaging |
Applications of Potassium Chloride
Salting out in dye finishing
Raises ionic strength to precipitate dissolved dye from the liquor as a filterable solid.
Dye standardisation
Used as a diluent to bring finished dye powders to a target colour strength.
Reactive dyeing electrolyte
Charged to the dyebath as the exhausting agent that drives dye onto cellulosic fibre.
Brine and process water
Supplies chloride for brine make-up, regeneration and general process duty.
Chemical intermediates
Feedstock for potassium salts and other inorganic chemical manufacture.
Laboratory use
Supplied for buffer, conductivity standard and general analytical preparation.
Why choose Chelora Dyes
Consistent purity
Assay controlled at ≥99% with insoluble matter and moisture verified before dispatch.
Full documentation
COA, SDS, and regulatory data supplied with every shipment.
Flexible volumes
From 25 kg bags to jumbo-bag bulk quantities.
Technical support
Salting-out, standardisation, and dosing guidance from our chemistry team.
Storage and guidelines
- Store in sealed original bags in a dry, covered store.
- Keep bags off the floor on pallets and away from standing water.
- Re-seal part-used bags promptly — the salt is mildly hygroscopic and will cake.
- Segregate from strong acids and strong oxidising agents.
- Use dry, clean scoops and containers to avoid introducing insoluble matter.
- Avoid prolonged contact with unprotected mild steel in solution — chloride promotes corrosion.
Handling precautions
Industrial grade Potassium Chloride is not classified as hazardous in most jurisdictions and is among the more benign materials in this range.
Dust can still irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, particularly during bulk transfer or bag emptying.
Use eye protection and gloves, and provide dust control or local exhaust ventilation at weighing and charging points.
Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for spill handling, disposal and first-aid measures before use.
Frequently asked questions
What is Potassium Chloride used for in dye manufacture?
Mainly as a salting-out agent. Added to a dye liquor it raises the ionic strength of the solution and forces the dissolved dye out as a filterable solid. It is also used to standardise dye powders to a target strength and as the exhausting electrolyte in reactive dyeing of cellulosic fibres.
Why choose potassium chloride over sodium chloride?
Both work as electrolytes, but potassium chloride is often preferred where the sodium ion interferes with the dye or the substrate, where a lower hardness contribution is wanted, or where the finished dye specification limits sodium. Sodium chloride remains the cheaper option where neither applies.
How soluble is it?
Freely soluble in water, at roughly 340 g/L at 20°C, and solubility rises steadily with temperature. It is practically insoluble in most organic solvents.
What purity do you supply?
Standard industrial grade is supplied at a minimum assay of 99% on a dry basis, with moisture, water insoluble matter and sulphate held within tight limits. Low-sodium and finer mesh grades can be supplied to order.
What packaging sizes are available?
25 kg and 50 kg HDPE-lined bags, with bulk supply in 1000 kg jumbo bags.
Will it cake in storage?
It can. The salt is mildly hygroscopic and picks up moisture from humid air, which leads to caking in part-used or poorly sealed bags. Keep bags sealed, store off the floor on pallets in a dry area, and the material will remain free flowing.
How should it be stored, and for how long?
In sealed original bags in a dry, covered store away from direct moisture. Shelf life is effectively indefinite for the salt itself, but we specify 36 months from manufacture on the basis of packaging integrity and free-flow condition.
Is it hazardous to handle?
It is one of the more benign materials in the range and industrial grade is not classified as hazardous in most jurisdictions. Dust can still irritate eyes and the respiratory tract, so use eye protection and dust control at weighing and charging, and consult the Safety Data Sheet.
