Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a salt of composition Na6[(PO3)6]. Sodium hexametaphosphate of commerce is typically a mixture of metaphosphates (empirical formula: NaPO3), of which the hexamer is one, and is usually the compound referred to by this name. Such a mixture is more correctly termed sodium polymetaphosphate. They are white solids that dissolve in water.

Uses

SHMP is used as a sequestrant and has applications within a wide variety of industries, including as a food additive Sodium carbonate is sometimes added to SHMP to raise the pH to 8.0–8.6, which produces a number of SHMP products used for water softening and detergents.

Sodium hexametaphosphate, as one of the most widely used water treatment agent, is necessary for industrial water, domestic water and waste water disposal.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate Water Softener

Sodium hexametaphosphate has the function of forming fixed soluble complexes with metal ions, especially alkali metal ions, which can effectively prevent the precipitation of hardly soluble salts of alkali metal. At the same time, it can also plat the role of removing the melting boiler and precipitation. So it is widely used in the softening of various industrial water. Because sodium hexametaphosphate has a greater complexing capacity for CA++ than other phosphates, it is widely used in industrial sectors that has high requirement of water quality, such as, electrolytic industry, boiler water for power stations and textile industry.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate

Sodium Hexametaphosphate Antiscalant

Scale inhibitor refers to a class of agents that have the ability to disperse insoluble inorganic salts in water, prevent or interfere with the precipitation and scale function of insoluble inorganic salts on the surface of metals, as well as maintain good heat transfer effects for metal equipment.

Sodium Hexametaphosphate Corrosion Inhibitor

Sodium hexametaphosphate has two functions in metal corrosion inhibitors. First, it can slow down the corrosion of metal materials. Second, it can maintain the physical and mechanical properties of metal.

The amount of sodium hexametaphosphate uses in water treatment is less, which won’t change the property of the corrosive medium and it doesn’t require other special equipment and surface treatment. This is why shmp chemical is common used in water treatment.

A significant use for sodium hexametaphosphate is as a deflocculant in the production of clay-based ceramic particles. It is also used as a dispersing agent to break down clay and other soil types for soil texture assessment.

It is used as an active ingredient in toothpastes as an anti-staining and tartar prevention ingredient.

The energy drink NOS contains sodium hexametaphosphate.

Food additive

As a food additive, SHMP is used as an emulsifier. Artificial maple syrup, canned milk, cheese powders and dips, imitation cheese, whipped topping, packaged egg whites, roast beef, fish fillets, fruit jelly, frozen desserts, salad dressing, herring, breakfast cereal, ice cream, beer, and bottled drinks, among other foods, can contain SHMP.