| Synonyms | Chile saltpetre
Cubic or soda nitre
|
| Definition | |
| Chemical name | Potassium nitrate |
| Einecs | 231-818-8 |
| Chemical formula | KNO3 |
| Molecular weight | 101,11 |
| Assay | Content not less than 99 % on the anhydrous basis |
| Description | White crystalline powder or transparent prisms having a cooling, saline, pungent taste |
| Identification | |
A. Positive tests for nitrate and for potassium | |
B. pH of a 5 % solution | Not less than 4,5 and not more than 8,5 |
| Purity | |
| Loss on drying | Not more than 1 % after drying at 105 oC for four hours |
| Nitrites | Not more than 20 mg/kg expressed as KNO2 |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | Not more than 10 mg/kg |
