White powder, apparent density:0.35-0.90g/ml, melting point: 622 C, easily dissolving in water; water solution is alkaline (PH value of 1% solution is 9.7); can hydrolyze into phosphate in water, has good ability in complexing metal ions; can be used to soften water; has some surfactant properties.
1.In detergents
The majority of STPP is consumed as a component of commercial detergents. It serves as a "builder," industrial jargon for a water softener. In hard water (water that contains high concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+), detergents are deactivated. Being a highly charged chelating agent, TPP5- binds to dictations tightly and prevents them from interfering with the sulfonate detergent.
2.Food Applications
STPP is a preservative for seafood, meats, poultry, and animal feeds. It is common in food production as E number E451. In foods, STPP is used as an emulsifier and to retain moisture. Many governments regulate the quantities allowed in foods, as it can substantially increase the sale weight of seafood in particular. The United States Food and Drug Administration lists STPP as "generally recognized as safe.".
3.Other Uses
Other uses (hundreds of thousands of tons/years) include "ceramics, leather tanning (as masking agent and synthetic tanning agent - SYNTAN), anticaking, setting retarders, flame retardants, paper, anticorrosion pigments, textiles, rubber manufacture, fermentation, antifreeze.
Supplier: Salt and salt chemicals, sodium chloride (salt), sodium sulphate, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium metabisulphite
