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what to do with calcium nitrate?


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Posted
what can i do with it.i ask because i can get it for cheep at a hardwere store close to me,i also saw nitrate of soda at that store,is this sodium nitrate?. thanks ^_^
Posted
what can i do with it.i ask because i can get it for cheep at a hardwere store close to me,i also saw nitrate of soda at that store,is this sodium nitrate?. thanks ^_^

Calcium Nitrate - is undesirable, as it is very hygroscopic, in fact so much so that it absorbs enough moisture to actually form a liquid puddle ( deliquescent ). Getting rid of it was a key step in the middle ages to making usable saltpetre for black poweder.

 

Nitrate of soda is sodium nitrate. It is also hygroscopic, but not as badly as calcium nitrate. It can be used in a pinch, but compositions made with it probably won't store well at all. I've not seen any comps that call for it by itself, usually mixed with other oxidizers.

Posted
what can i do with it.i ask because i can get it for cheep at a hardwere store close to me,i also saw nitrate of soda at that store,is this sodium nitrate?. thanks ^_^

With the sodium nitrate, you can make sodium BP. It will not keep as long, but will make good yellow stars if made properly.

Posted
When using Sodium nitrate, mix it up and use it straight away. Otherwise it gets ruined. With calcium nitrate you could heat it to make NO2 if you want HNO3 this is obviously dangerous so you probably shouldn't do it. You might be able to make KNO3 with it in a reaction with potassium carbonate or hydroxide, and the filtering out the CaCO3 and evaporating the water. I hope I helped.
Posted
You could always dry it out and use it as a dessicator.
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