Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Emulsifiers
Thickeners
Acidity Regulators
Preservatives
68915-31-1
E452
(NaPO₃)₆
$1.84 ~ $2.76
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/bag
One unit of:25kg/bag
25kg/bag
Product Info
What is Sodium Hexametaphosphate?
Sodium Hexametaphosphate is a polyphosphate salt widely utilized as a sequestrant and emulsifier in food processing to enhance water retention and stability, and industrially as a powerful scale inhibitor in water treatment.
How is Sodium Hexametaphosphate made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Preparation | Accurately weigh and mix food-grade orthophosphoric acid with a sodium source, such as soda ash (sodium carbonate). | The mole ratio of sodium to phosphorus is critical and must be precisely controlled to achieve the correct polymer chain length. Raw material purity is essential for food-grade quality. |
| 2 | Polymerization (Dehydration) | Heat the raw material mixture in a high-temperature furnace or kiln (e.g., 600-700°C). This removes water and polymerizes the material into molten polyphosphate glass. | Temperature and residence time are the most critical parameters. They directly influence the degree of polymerization and the final properties of the product. |
| 3 | Quenching (Glass Formation) | Rapidly cool the molten polyphosphate glass by pouring it onto a chilled, moving steel belt or drum. | The cooling must be extremely fast to "freeze" the amorphous, water-soluble glassy structure. Slow cooling would allow crystallization into less soluble forms. |
| 4 | Crushing & Milling | Break the cooled, brittle sheets of glass and then mill the pieces into a powder with a specific particle size distribution. | Particle size is controlled through sieves and classifiers to ensure consistent bulk density and dissolution rates. Care must be taken to avoid metal contamination from the milling equipment. |
| 5 | Quality Control Analysis | Take representative samples from the final milled batch and conduct comprehensive laboratory testing. | Must verify key parameters: P₂O₅ content (typically >68%), pH of a 1% solution, heavy metal limits (Arsenic, Lead), and water insolubles to ensure compliance with food-grade standards (e.g., FCC, E452i). |
| 6 | Packaging | Fill the finished Sodium Hexametaphosphate powder into multi-layer, moisture-proof bags and seal them. | The product is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). Packaging must be hermetically sealed to prevent caking and hydrolysis. Proper labeling with batch numbers is essential for traceability. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 68915-31-1 |
| Chemical Formula | (NaPO₃)₆ |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water (>960 g/L at 20 °C) |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry, <25 °C, sealed container |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Processed cheese
canned seafood
baked goods
beverages
meat emulsions
dairy
sauces
toothpastes
water treatment
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Sodium Hexametaphosphate |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Chelating System; Sequestrant; Emulsifier; Texture Modifier |
| Key Ingredients | Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP), (NaPO₃)₆ |
| Mechanism of Action | Effectively chelates and sequesters divalent metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺), preventing them from cross-linking with proteins, pectins, or pigments. Its long polyphosphate chain interacts with proteins, increasing their negative charge and promoting hydration. Acts as a dispersant and deflocculant for suspended particles. |
| Application Effect in Product | Inhibits mineral scale and struvite crystal formation in canned seafood. Prevents gelation in sterilized milk products. Improves whipping properties in toppings and desserts. Maintains clarity and prevents discoloration in beverages and syrups. Enhances protein solubility and moisture retention in processed meats. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Hexametaphosphate (SHMP) | Polyphosphate Sequestrant | Excellent sequestrant for metal ions (Ca, Mg, Fe), highly soluble, effective dispersant, long-chain polymer structure. | Superior sequestration and dispersing power, especially in hard water and for pigments/clays. Highly effective at low concentrations. | Can hydrolyze (break down) in acidic or high-temperature aqueous solutions, losing effectiveness over time. More complex production. | Industrial water treatment (scale inhibitor), food processing (moisture retention, texture improvement), ceramic and paint manufacturing (dispersant). | For applications requiring the most powerful sequestration of metal ions and superior particle dispersion. |
| Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) | Polyphosphate Sequestrant | Strong sequestrant, provides alkalinity, effective emulsifier and moisture retainer. | Excellent all-around performance and cost-effectiveness. A standard builder in detergents for decades. | Slightly less sequestration power per unit than SHMP. Contributes to phosphate-related environmental issues (eutrophication). | Laundry and dishwasher detergents, industrial cleaners, meat and seafood processing, water softening. | A cost-effective, high-performance choice for cleaning and food preservation where balanced properties are needed. |
| Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate (TSPP) | Polyphosphate Sequestrant | Good sequestrant, strong emulsifying agent, pH buffer, effective in preventing food discoloration. | Excellent emulsifier and dispersant in food systems. Provides higher alkalinity than SHMP for pH control. | Lower sequestration capacity for calcium and magnesium compared to SHMP or STPP. Less soluble than SHMP. | Processed foods (puddings, cheese), toothpaste (tartar control), industrial cleaning, metal finishing, boiler water treatment. | When emulsification, pH buffering, and dispersion are more critical than maximum sequestration power. |
| Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) | Simple Phosphate Cleaner | Highly alkaline, simple orthophosphate structure, powerful degreaser and cleaner. | Very low cost and highly effective for heavy-duty cleaning and grease removal due to high alkalinity. Chemically stable. | Poor sequestrant compared to polyphosphates. Highly caustic and requires careful handling. Performance drops significantly in hard water. | Heavy-duty cleaning and degreasing (e.g., paint preparation), flux for soldering, food pH regulation. | For low-cost, high-alkalinity cleaning applications where heavy grease removal is key and metal sequestration is not required. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
Technical datasheet & COA provided
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
SDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications