Trisodium Phosphate
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is an inorganic, highly alkaline compound commonly available as a white, granular or crystalline solid. It is widely used for its powerful cleaning, degreasing, buffering, and water-softening properties. TSP is a versatile compound with significant utility across food processing, detergents, industrial cleaning, water treatment, and construction industries. It also acts as a flux, pH adjuster, emulsifier, and sequestrant. Both technical and food grades are available depending on the application.
Trisodium Phosphate
Primary Uses
- Cleaning & Detergent Industry:
- Acts as a heavy-duty degreaser and surface cleaner for walls, floors, and equipment prior to painting or coating.
- Key component in industrial detergents and household cleaners for removing stubborn grease, mildew, and stains.
- Softens hard water to enhance detergent performance.
- Water Treatment:
- Serves as a water softening agent by sequestering calcium and magnesium ions.
- Used in boiler and cooling water systems to control scale buildup and corrosion.
- Food Industry (Food Grade TSP):
- Employed as an emulsifier and thickener in processed meats, cheeses, and seafood.
- Functions as a pH buffer and sequestrant to stabilize food texture and extend shelf life.
- Used to improve water retention and color in meat and poultry processing.
- Construction & Paint Industry:
- Used to clean and prepare surfaces before painting by removing grease and chalk residue.
- Sometimes added to paint removers and strippers for enhanced effectiveness.
Secondary Uses
- Textile Industry:
- Used as a cleaning agent and water softener in fabric processing and dyeing.
- Pulp & Paper Industry:
- Acts as a pH buffer and dispersing agent during paper pulping and bleaching.
- Photography & Film Processing:
- Serves as a buffering agent and cleaner in photographic developers.
- Ceramics & Enamels:
- Acts as a flux in ceramic and enamel production to reduce melting temperatures.
- Metal Treatment & Plating:
- Used in metal cleaning and electroplating pre-treatment processes.
- Agriculture:
- Occasionally used as a phosphate source in fertilizers and animal feed supplements.
1. Basic Key Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Trisodium phosphate
- Common/Trade Name: Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
- CAS Number: 7601-54-9
- HS Code: 2835.11.00
- Synonyms: TSP, Sodium phosphate tribasic, Sodium orthophosphate
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Solid (granules or powder)
- Color & Odor: White; odorless
- Melting Point: 1583 °C (decomposes)
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol
- pH (1% solution): ~12.0 (strongly alkaline)
- Density: Approx. 2.5 g/cm³
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification:
- Hazard: Causes serious eye damage; may cause skin irritation
- Signal Word: Danger
- Toxicity: Moderate if ingested in large amounts; food grade is safe when used as directed
- Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits; general dust precautions apply
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place away from acids and moisture
- Container Type: HDPE bags, fiber drums, or bulk containers
- Shelf Life: 24 months under proper storage
- Handling Precautions: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing; use PPE to prevent exposure
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with applicable food-grade (FCC) or technical-grade standards depending on usage
- Meets REACH and TSCA inventory requirements
- Manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for food and pharma grades
- FDA-approved for specific food applications within regulated limits
- Adheres to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and GHS labeling
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Inorganic compound – not biodegradable, but breaks down into non-toxic ions
- Ecotoxicity: High phosphate levels may cause eutrophication in water bodies
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Gloves, goggles, dust mask or respirator for powder handling
- Handling Guidelines: Use local exhaust ventilation; avoid dust generation
- Storage Measures: Keep containers sealed and dry
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if respiratory irritation occurs
- Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water
- Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 15 minutes; seek immediate medical help
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical attention if symptoms occur
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Non-flammable
- Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, or dry chemical
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Sodium oxides, phosphorus oxides
Related products
Benzyl Konium Chloride
Benzyl Konium Chloride (BAC) 50% is a quaternary ammonium compound with potent antimicrobial and disinfectant properties. It is a cationic surfactant widely used for its bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal effects. This clear to pale yellow liquid concentrate is highly soluble in water and is commonly used in healthcare, sanitation, and industrial hygiene applications. BAC 50% solutions serve as active ingredients in disinfectants, sanitizers, and antiseptics due to their effectiveness against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.
Borax Decahydrate
Borax Decahydrate, also known as sodium tetraborate decahydrate, is a naturally occurring mineral and an important inorganic compound. It appears as colorless or white crystalline granules or powder with a salty, alkaline taste. This compound is widely used in detergents, cosmetics, glass manufacturing, agriculture, and various industrial applications due to its excellent buffering, emulsifying, and antiseptic properties. The “decahydrate” indicates that each molecule of borax contains ten water molecules bound in its crystal structure, contributing to its crystalline appearance and physical properties.
Borax Pentahydrate
Borax Pentahydrate (sodium tetraborate pentahydrate) is an inorganic compound and a hydrated form of borax. It typically appears as colorless to white crystalline granules or powder. This compound contains five molecules of water of crystallization per formula unit, distinguishing it from other borax hydrates such as the decahydrate form. Borax Pentahydrate is widely used across industries including detergents, glass production, agriculture, and cosmetics, valued for its buffering capacity, emulsification, and antiseptic properties. It is soluble in water and exhibits alkaline properties in aqueous solution.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium Chloride is an inorganic salt composed of calcium and chlorine with the chemical formula CaCl₂. It typically appears as a white crystalline solid or granular powder, highly soluble in water and exhibiting strong hygroscopic properties. Calcium Chloride is widely used for its moisture-absorbing ability, de-icing, dust control, and as a firming agent in food processing. It finds extensive applications across industrial, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food sectors due to its efficacy in modifying physical and chemical properties of products and environments.
Iodine Crystals
Iodine Crystals are high-purity elemental iodine in solid crystalline form. These dark violet-black crystals have a characteristic pungent odor and sublime easily at room temperature, releasing violet iodine vapors. Iodine is a halogen element widely used for its antiseptic, oxidizing, and chemical reagent properties in pharmaceutical, industrial, and laboratory applications.
Sodium Metabisulphite
Sodium Metabisulphite is a white crystalline powder widely used as an antioxidant, disinfectant, and preservative. It dissolves readily in water, releasing sulfur dioxide, which acts as a powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. This chemical finds broad applications in food processing, water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing to prevent spoilage, control microbial growth, and protect equipment from corrosion.
Sodium Metasilicate Anhydrous
Sodium Metasilicate Anhydrous is a white crystalline solid known for its alkaline properties and high solubility in water. It is widely used in industrial cleaning, detergent formulations, water treatment, and as a corrosion inhibitor. The anhydrous form is preferred where moisture sensitivity is a concern. It acts as a strong alkaline builder, improving the effectiveness of detergents and degreasers. This product is also used in adhesives, cement, and ceramics due to its binding and strengthening properties.
Sodium Sulphide
Sodium Sulphide (Na₂S) is a yellow to red-yellow crystalline solid or powder with a characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfide. It is highly soluble in water, forming strongly alkaline solutions. This 25kg packaged product is widely used in the chemical, leather, pulp and paper, and textile industries as a reducing agent, sulfur donor, and in flotation processes. Due to its strong reducing properties and reactivity, it must be handled with care under proper safety measures.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders