Potassium nitrate (KNO₃) is an inorganic ionic ceramic compound commonly known as saltpeter, valued for its oxidizing properties and thermal stability. It is widely used in pyrotechnics, explosives, fertilizers, food preservation, and heat transfer applications, where its ability to remain stable at elevated temperatures and facilitate controlled oxidation reactions makes it preferable to many alternatives. In specialized engineering contexts, KNO₃ serves as a molten salt heat transfer medium in concentrated solar power systems and as a component in specialized coatings and treatments requiring controlled oxidation environments.
Compliance & Regulations
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulk Modulus(K) | 3,482.4 | ksi | — | ||
Poisson's Ratio(ν) | 0.3100 | - | — | ||
Shear Modulus(G) | 1,657.8 | ksi | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Density(ρ) | 0.08009 | lb/in³ | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Band Gap(Eg) | 2.824 | eV | — | ||
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity)(εr)3 entries | 4.900 | - | — | ||
| ↳ | 4.673 | - | — | ||
| ↳ | 3.552 range 2.219–4.884median of 2 measurements | - | — | ||
Electronic Dielectric Tensor(ε∞) | Matrix (redacted) | - | — | ||
Total Dielectric Tensor(ε) | Matrix (redacted) | - | — | ||
Magnetic Moment(μB) | 0.000 | µB | — | ||
Piezoelectric Modulus(eij)2 entries | 0.2216 | C/m² | — | ||
| ↳ | 0.3104 | C/m² | — | ||
Piezoelectric Stress Tensor(eij) | Matrix (redacted) | C/m² | — | ||
Seebeck Coefficient(S) | -352 | µV/K | — |
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy Above Hull(ΔEhull) | 0.000 | eV/atom | — | ||
Formation Energy(ΔHf)2 entries | -1.025 | eV/atom | — | ||
| ↳ | -1.065 | eV/atom | — |