Sodium fluorosilicate explained

Sodium fluorosilicate is a compound with the chemical formula Na₂[SiF₆]. Unlike other sodium salts, it has a low solubility in water.

Natural occurrence

Sodium hexafluorosilicate occurs naturally as the rare mineral malladrite found within some volcanic fumaroles.^[1]

Manufacturing

Sodium fluorosilicate is made by neutralizing fluorosilicic acid with sodium chloride or sodium sulfate.

H₂[SiF₆] + 2 NaCl → Na₂[SiF₆] + 2 HCl

Possible application

Sodium fluorosilicate is used in some countries as additives for water fluoridation, opal glass raw material, ore refining, or other fluoride chemical (like sodium fluoride, magnesium silicofluoride, cryolite, aluminum fluoride) production.^[2]

It also is an ingredient in some ceramic cements.

See also

• Fluorosilicic acid
• Ammonium fluorosilicate

Notes and References

1. Web site: Malladrite.
2. Web site: PUB . 2009-08-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090326084915/http://www.pub.gov.sg/GENERAL/Pages/WaterTreatment.aspx . 2009-03-26 .