Sodium Formate CAS 141-53-7: Properties, Applications, and Supply Guide

Sodium Formate CAS 141-53-7 is an essential industrial chemical employed in leather processing, construction materials, oilfield fluids, de-icing solutions and chemical manufacturing. It is the sodium salt of formic acid and is usually found as a white crystalline powder or granule.

Before ordering in bulk quantities, it is important that manufacturers, distributors and international buyers understand the properties, specifications, applications, packaging and storage requirements of sodium formate. Product purity, moisture, insoluble matter, chloride content and batch uniformity may affect the application of the product.

What Is Sodium Formate CAS 141-53-7?

Sodium formate is an organic sodium salt with the chemical formula HCOONa. Its CAS number is 141-53-7, which provides a standardized identification for international trade, technical documentation, laboratory testing, and regulatory records.

The product is generally soluble in water and is available in several industrial grades. Common commercial specifications include sodium formate content of 92%, 95%, 98%, or higher, depending on the production process and intended application.

Typical product information includes:

• Chemical name: Sodium Formate
• CAS number: 141-53-7
• Molecular formula: HCOONa
• Molecular weight: approximately 68.01
• Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules
• Solubility: Soluble in water
• EINECS number: 205-488-0

The exact physical and chemical properties should be confirmed through the supplier’s technical data sheet and certificate of analysis.

Common Sodium Formate Specifications

Sodium formate quality is determined by more than the main assay. Buyers should review the complete specification according to their production requirements.

Common quality indicators may include:

• Sodium formate content
• Moisture
• Water-insoluble matter
• Chloride content
• Iron content
• pH value
• Particle size
• Bulk density
• Appearance and color

A 98% grade may be suitable for applications requiring tighter impurity control, while a 92% grade may provide a more economical solution for general industrial use.

The correct grade depends on the customer’s formulation, production equipment, quality target, and cost requirements.

Main Applications of Sodium Formate

Leather Tanning and Dyeing

Sodium formate is used most notably in the leather industry. Auxiliary chemical in tanning, dyeing and related process.

Sodium formate may be used to maintain the acidity and promote uniform chemical penetration. Stable quality is a critical factor, as varying moisture and/or impurity content can affect the colour, softness, surface appearance and processing efficiency of leather.

Before using the selected sodium formate grade in large quantities, the manufacturer of leather should test it in actual production conditions.

Construction Chemicals

Sodium formate is used in selected construction chemical formulations, including cement products, dry-mix mortar, concrete admixtures, grout, and tile adhesive systems.

Depending on the complete formulation, it may support setting control, low-temperature performance, or product stability. However, the final effect depends on several factors, including:

• Cement composition
• Ambient temperature
• Water-to-cement ratio
• Other additives
• Sodium formate dosage
• Required setting time

Laboratory tests and production trials are recommended before commercial application.

Oilfield and Drilling Fluids

Sodium formate may be used as a component in formate-based drilling, completion and workover fluid systems. Such fluids can have valuable density and thermal properties for certain tasks in the oilfields.

Typically oilfield customers demand high level of control of chloride, iron, insoluble matter, moisture and product purity. Too many impurities can lead to issues with fluid properties, equipment performance and well operation.

Suppliers to oilfield customers must submit correct quality records, samples and batch traceability.

Deicing and Anti-Icing Products

Sodium formate may be used in selected deicing and anti-icing formulations. Its water solubility and freezing-point depression characteristics make it suitable for certain transportation, road maintenance, and industrial applications.

Before use, customers should evaluate:

• Operating temperature
• Corrosion performance
• Surface compatibility
• Environmental requirements
• Local regulations
• Required application rate

The complete deicing formulation should be tested under actual environmental conditions.

Chemical Manufacturing

Sodium formate can also be used as an intermediate or raw material in the manufacture of chemical products. It can be used for the synthesis of formic acid, sodium hydrosulfite, oxalic acid, and other chemical products.

Consistency of the composition of raw materials for chemical manufacturers is important since moisture or impurities may impact the efficiency of the reaction, yield, process control, and final product quality.

How to Choose the Right Grade

Choosing the right sodium formate grade requires a clear understanding of the intended application.

Sodium Formate 98%

The 98% grade is generally selected when customers require higher purity and tighter quality control. It may be preferred for chemical manufacturing, selected oilfield applications, and formulations where impurity levels are important.

Sodium Formate 92%

The 92% grade is commonly used in general industrial applications where cost efficiency is important and the application can tolerate a wider impurity range.

Customized Specifications

Some suppliers can provide customized moisture, particle size, packaging, or impurity limits. Buyers should provide detailed technical requirements before requesting a quotation.

Packaging Options

Sodium Formate CAS 141-53-7 is commonly packed in moisture-resistant bags suitable for industrial storage and international shipping.

Typical packaging options include:

• 25 kg woven bags with polyethylene liners
• 25 kg paper-plastic composite bags
• 500 kg bulk bags
• 1,000 kg jumbo bags
• Palletized export packaging
• Customized private-label packaging

The packaging should protect the product from moisture, contamination, tearing, and handling damage.

For container shipments, buyers should confirm bag size, pallet type, wrapping method, container loading quantity, and labeling requirements.

Storage and Handling

Sodium formate should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse. The original packaging should remain sealed until the product is required.

The material should be protected from:

• Rain and humidity
• Strong acids
• Contamination
• Damaged packaging
• Direct water exposure
• Improper stacking

Workers should follow standard industrial chemical handling procedures. Suitable gloves, eye protection, and dust control measures may be required depending on workplace conditions.

The supplier’s safety data sheet should always be reviewed before handling, storage, or transportation.

Documents Required for Purchasing

Professional suppliers should provide complete technical and export documentation.

Common documents include:

• Technical data sheet
• Safety data sheet
• Certificate of analysis
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Bill of lading
• Customs declaration documents
• Inspection certificates when required

The certificate of analysis should match the actual production batch and include tested results for the main quality indicators.

How to Evaluate a Sodium Formate Supplier

Before selecting a supplier, buyers should evaluate several important factors.

Quality Control

The supplier should have clear procedures for raw material inspection, production monitoring, finished-product testing, batch coding, and complaint handling.

Production Capacity

Buyers should confirm monthly output, inventory availability, standard lead time, and the supplier’s ability to support repeat orders.

Sample Testing

A representative sample should be tested before placing a large order. Laboratory testing helps confirm purity, solubility, appearance, moisture, and application performance.

Export Experience

An experienced exporter should understand chemical packaging, documentation, container loading, customs procedures, and international transportation.

Technical Support

A good supplier should be able to answer questions about grades, packaging, documentation, storage, and application suitability.

Conclusion

Sodium Formate CAS 141-53-7 is an industrial chemical with various applications, including leather processing, construction chemicals, oilfield fluids and deicing materials, as well as in the chemical manufacturing industry. It's performance is dependent on batch consistency, packaging, impurity control and purity.

Buyers should determine the grade they need, read the technical specification, ask for a copy of the latest certificate of analysis, and submit a sample for testing before buying. A good supplier can ensure product consistency, secure packaging, full documentation, export service and timely delivery.

The different grades of sodium formate that exist can be selected by an industrial buyer to minimise risk and ensure production performance is more consistent, provided the buyer has a good supplier.