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sodium sulfate

chemical compound
Also known as: Glauber’s salt

Quick Summary

Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) is a bitter salt with various industrial applications. It is used in detergents, the production of wood pulp and rayon, and in dyeing and finishing textiles. In its hydrated form, it acts as a cathartic.1

Sodium sulfate is one of the principal commercial compounds of sodium, alongside sodium chloride and sodium carbonate. It is obtained from natural deposits or synthesized from sodium chloride and sulfuric acid. The crystallized form is known as Glauber's salt. Sodium sulfate is also used as a raw material for producing other chemicals.2

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