Uses
Metallic sodium is vital in the manufacture of esters and in the preparation of organic
compounds. The metal may be used to improve the structure of certain alloys, to descale metal,
and to purify molten metals.
An alloy of sodium with potassium, NaK, is also an important heat transfer agent.
Compounds
Sodium compounds are important to the paper, glass, soap, textile, petroleum, chemical, and
metal industries. Soap is generally a sodium salt of certain fatty acids. The importance of
common salt to animal nutrition has been recognized since prehistoric times.
Among the many compounds that are of the greatest industrial importance are common salt
(NaCl), soda ash (Na 2 CO 3 ), baking soda (NaHCO 3 ), caustic soda (NaOH), Chile saltpeter
(NaNO 3 ), di- and tri-sodium phosphates, sodium thiosulfate (hypo, Na 2 S 2 O 3. 5H 2 O), and borax
(Na 2 B 4 O 7. 10H 2 O).
Isotopes
Thirteen isotopes of sodium are recognized.
Cost
Metallic sodium is priced at about 15 to 20 cents/lb in quantity. Reagent grade (ACS) sodium in
January 1990 cost about $35/lb. On a volume basis, it is the cheapest of all metals.
Handling
Sodium metal should be handled with great care. It cannot be maintained in an inert atmosphere
and contact with water and other substances with which sodium reacts should be avoided.
Isotopes available at Los Alamos National
Laboratory
Sources: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and the American Chemical Society.
Last Updated: 12/19/97, CST Information Services Team
Sodium