Aluminum sulfate is an inorganic aluminum salt compound with the chemical formula . It typically exists as white crystals, flakes, or powder, is highly soluble in water, and its aqueous solution is weakly acidic.
Its core properties and applications include:
Water Treatment Flocculant: In drinking water and industrial wastewater treatment, it hydrolyzes to form aluminum hydroxide colloid, which adsorbs suspended impurities in water to achieve rapid clarification.
Paper Sizing Agent: Used in the rosin sizing process of the paper industry to enhance the water resistance and strength of paper, and improve printing performance.
Tanning and Textile Auxiliary: Acts as an astringent in leather tanning and as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing to improve dye fixation.
Other Uses: It is also used in the preparation of aluminum salts, fire-resistant materials, soil conditioners, and as an auxiliary raw material in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other fields.
Due to its low cost and stable performance, aluminum sulfate is an indispensable basic chemical in industries such as water treatment, papermaking, and chemical engineering.