Sodium nitrite is a salt of nitrous acid is a colourless or slightly yellow crystals, soluble in water, hygroscopic. The melting point of 284° C; decomposition temperature of 320° C.; a density of 2.17 g/cm3 solubility in water 82 g/100 ml (20° C). An aqueous solution of sodium nitrite is alkaline.
Sodium nitrite is a flammable substance that promotes the self-ignition of combustible materials, is a common toxic toxic substance. On the air, slowly oxidizes to nitrate NaNO3 sodium. Is a strong reducing agent.
Sodium nitrite is widely used in various industries. In the construction industry the technical sodium nitrite in the form of a powder according to GOST 19906-74 or aqueous solution is recommended as an additive to concrete providing resistance to frost, as a means of corrosion protection of building structures.
In the chemical industry sodium nitrite used in the manufacture of diazo-dyes, nitro compounds and other organic compounds as the oxidizing agent in the technological processes of excretion of iodine from Saidov, in chemical synthesis for the formation of the diazo-amino compounds.
In the food industry (food additive E250) is involved in the production of sausages as an antioxidant (to make smoked meat and sausages characteristic pink-red colour) and a preservative (antibacterial agent), in medicine as a bronchodilator and vasodilator, and as antidote to cyanide poisoning.
Is used in the process of traditional photography as agent and an antioxidant (corrosion inhibitor in an automated laboratories). Used in the manufacture of rubbers.
In addition, sodium nitrite is used in metallurgical (when processing the metal surface during the phosphating and for removing the tin layer), pulp and paper, textile and other industries.