Sodium fluorosilicate

Description

A white solid primarily used for water fluoridation. Sodium fluorosilicate is used in milky ceramic glazes for china and porcelain. It is also used to make opal glass, fix acid dyes, and launder textiles. Sodium fluorosilicate is toxic and has been used as a dusting powder type bactericide, Insecticide, rodenticide, and fungicide. Some commercial sodium fluorosilicate powders were sold for mothproofing woolens. Its used as a pesticide was discontinued by the 1990s.

Synonyms and Related Terms

sodium fluosilicate (pesticide name); sodium silicofluoride; sodium hexafluorosilicate; Salufer; earwig bait

Risks

• Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
• Skin contact causes irritation and burns.
• EChemi: SDS

Physical and Chemical Properties

Slightly soluble in water. Insoluble in ethanol.

Composition	Na2SiF6
CAS	16896-85-9
Melting Point	(dec)
Density	2.68 g/ml

Resources and Citations

• The Merck Index, Susan Budavari (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 12th Edition, 1996 Comment: entry 8769

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 412

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993