|
POTASSIUM
(K)
GENERAL
PROPERTIES
|
Symbol:
|
K
|
|
Atomic
Number:
|
19
|
|
Atomic
Weight:
|
39.0983
|
|
Density:
|
0.862
gm/cc
|
|
Melting
Point:
|
63.25
oC
|
|
Boiling
Point:
|
760
oC
|
|
Thermal
Conductivity:
|
1.025
W/cm/oK
@ 298.2 oK
|
|
Electrical
Resistivity:
|
6.15
microhm-cm @ 0 oC
|
|
Electronegativity:
|
0.8
Paulings
|
|
Specific
Heat:
|
0.180
Cal/g/oK
@ 25 oC
|
|
Heat
of Vaporization:
|
18.9
K-Cal/gm atom at 760 oC
|
|
Heat
of Fusion:
|
0.574
Cal/gm mole
|
MATERIAL
OVERVIEW
Characteristics:
Soft, silvery metal; rapidly oxidized in moist air.
Soluble in liquid ammonia, aniline, mercury, and
sodium.
Hazards:
Dangerous fire risk; reacts with moisture to form
potassium hydroxide and hydrogen. The reaction evolves
much heat causing the potassium to melt and splatter.
It also ignites the hydrogen. Burning potassium is
difficult to extinguish; dry powdered soda ash or
graphite or special mixtures of dry chemical is
recommended. It can ignite spontaneously in moist air.
Moderate explosion risk by chemical reaction.
Potassium metal will form the peroxide and the
superoxide at room temperature even when stored under
mineral oil; may explode violently when handled or
cut. Oxide-coated potassium should be destroyed by
burning. Store in inert atmospheres, such as argon or
nitrogen, or under liquids which are oxygen-free, such
as toluene or kerosene, or in glass capsules which
have been filled under vacuum or inert atmosphere.
TYPICAL
ANALYSES
Impurities
in ppm
|
Material
/ Purity:
|
3N
|
3N7
|
|
Ag
|
10.0
|
<1.0
|
|
Al
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
B
|
10.0
|
1.0
|
|
Ba
|
20.0
|
2.0
|
|
Be
|
10.0
|
<1.0
|
|
Ca
|
100.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Cr
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Co
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Cu
|
20.0
|
3.0
|
|
Fe
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Mg
|
30.0
|
4.0
|
|
Mn
|
10.0
|
1.0
|
|
Mo
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Na
|
250.0
|
30.0
|
|
Ni
|
10.0
|
<1.0
|
|
Pb
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
|
Si
|
10.0
|
2.0
|
|
Ti
|
100.0
|
15.0
|
|
V
|
50.0
|
<5.0
|
Packaging
|
|
|
|
Pre-Scored Ampoule
|
Breakseal Ampoule
|
SPECIFICATIONS:
|
Pre-Scored:
|
Size
|
O.D.
|
Length
|
Glass Type
|
|
1
Gram
|
10.5
mm
|
50-52
mm
|
Pyrex
|
|
5
Gram
|
16.6
mm
|
70
mm
|
Pyrex
|
|
25
Gram
|
22.5
mm
|
15
mm
|
Pyrex
|
|
50
Gram
|
28.5
mm
|
160
mm
|
Pyrex
|
|
Breakseal:
|
1
Gram
|
10
mm
|
180
mm
|
Pyrex
|
|
5
Gram
|
13
mm
|
230
mm
|
Pyrex
|
POWDER, SHOT, PELLETS, & INGOT
|
Material
|
Purity
|
|
Potassium
Lumps
|
3N
|
|
Potassium
Metal
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
Sticks
|
3N
|
|
Potassium
Ingot
|
1N8
|
|
Potassium
Metal 5 gm Pre-Scored Ampoule
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
5 gm Straight Breakseal Ampoule
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
Metal 25 gm Pre-Scored Ampoule
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
Metal 25 gm Straight Breakseal Ampoule
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
Metal 50 gm Pre-Scored Ampoule
|
3N5
|
|
Potassium
Metal 50 gm Straight Breakseal Ampoule
|
3N5
|
Potassium
is packaged in ampoules under argon and sold by the
gram. Ingot,
Lump, and Sticks are packaged under Mineral Oil.
COMPOUNDS
|
Material
|
Purity
|
|
Potassium
Borate K2B4O7-4H2O
-6 Mesh
|
3N
|
|
Potassium
Borohydride KBH4
-80 Mesh
|
1N8
|
|
Potassium
Carbonate K2CO3
-100 Mesh
|
5N
|
|
Potassium
Chloride KCl
-40 Mesh
|
5N
|
|
Potassium
Fluoride KF
-60 Mesh
|
4N
|
|
