Potash

Potash

Description

A common name generally used for potassium carbonate. The term was initially used for the general mixture of salts obtained from wood ashes, which contains potassium carbonate with other compounds such as potassium hydroxide and impure potassium oxide. Purified potash is called pearl ash.

Synonyms and Related Terms

pearl ash; potash kettles; vegetable alkali

Authority

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 630

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979