Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium chloride is a white crystalline salt with a mild, salty taste. It is highly soluble in water, forming a slightly acidic solution. Ammonium chloride is commonly available in both granular and powdered forms. It is used in a variety of applications across different industries due to its versatile properties.

Uses:

1. Agriculture:
   • Fertilizers: Ammonium chloride is used as a nitrogen source in fertilizers. It provides essential nitrogen for plant growth, particularly in crops like rice and wheat.
   • Animal Feed: It is sometimes added to animal feed to maintain the nitrogen balance in ruminants and promote healthy growth.
2. Pharmaceuticals:
   • Expectorant: Ammonium chloride is an active ingredient in some cough medicines and expectorants. It helps to liquefy mucus, making it easier to expel from the respiratory tract.
   • Diuretics: It is used in diuretic formulations to help the body eliminate excess fluids.
3. Industrial Applications:
   • Metalwork: Ammonium chloride is used in metalwork as a flux for soldering and tinning. It helps to clean and prepare metal surfaces by removing oxides and other impurities.
   • Batteries: It is an essential component in the production of dry cell batteries, particularly zinc-carbon batteries, where it acts as an electrolyte.
4. Food Industry:
   • Food Additive: Ammonium chloride is used as a food additive, known as E510. It is used as a yeast nutrient in bread making and as a firming agent in some processed foods.
5. Laboratory Use:
   • Reagent: It is commonly used as a reagent in laboratories for various chemical analyses and experiments.
6. Textile and Leather Industry:
   • Dyeing and Tanning: Ammonium chloride is used in the textile industry for dyeing, printing, and in the leather industry for tanning and dyeing processes.