Sodium aluminate

Sodium aluminate (CAS 11138-49-1), also known as sodium metaaluminate, is an inorganic alkali salt used across water treatment, construction, and industrial processing. It functions primarily as a coagulant, flocculant, and pH regulator. This versatile chemical enables solid-liquid separation and surface conditioning in demanding process environments. In municipal and industrial water treatment, it acts as a coagulation aid to remove suspended solids, phosphates, and turbidity.

It is often dosed alongside aluminum sulfate to optimize floc formation. Paper and pulp manufacturers use it to improve fiber retention and sizing efficiency during sheet formation, ensuring high-quality production standards. In the construction sector, it accelerates the setting of cement and concrete mixes. This is particularly useful in shotcrete applications where rapid hardening is required for structural integrity and efficiency.

Textile and leather processors apply it as a mordant and surface treatment agent. This application helps to improve dye uptake and fix finishes to various substrates during the manufacturing process. The product is supplied as a white to off-white powder or as a concentrated aqueous solution. Liquid grades typically range around 40–45% active content for ease of dosing in continuous treatment systems.

Standard grades include technical and industrial specifications suited to water treatment and construction use. Food-contact and higher-purity grades are available where process requirements demand tighter impurity controls.