Potassium is the important mineral necessary for normal functioning of all cages, tissues and bodies of living beings. Nevertheless potassium bichromate (potassium chrompeak) is not organic matter. This industrial chemical is used as a part of dyes, paints, varnishes, shoe polishes, floor vosk, detergents.
Use of a bichromate of potassium
The bichromate of potassium is often used as the indicator of presence of certain chemicals at solution. For example, if in mix there are aldehydes, then it will get an orange shade. If in substance there are ketones, then it will be painted in green color.
The potassium bichromate is also used in production of the washing solutions. As well as in others connections on the basis of chrome VI (bichromate of sodium and trioxide of chrome), this connection can be used for creation of chromic acid. It is used for etching of materials and cleaning of ware of pollution. Two-chromate potassium is also used during cement creation. Potassium helps to improve texture and density of the knitting substance and also for delay of hardening of the concentrated mix. Other industries use this substance for receiving skin of yellow color and a stencil process.
The potassium chrompeak can be used for definition of concentration of ethanol in substance. The oxidized bichromate of potassium is used in the course of titration. After completion of reaction of connection, ethanol is oxidized and turns into acetic acid. And the surplus of a bichromate is brought out of mix by means of sodium thiosulphate. To define amount of the ethanol which is present at substance, the surplus of a bichromate is subtracted from initial amount of the found ethanol. This property is the cornerstone of the modern alcohol test which is used in law enforcement agencies. If the person exhales alcohol vapors, then the indicator changes the color from green for red. Than concentration of alcohol in breath of the person is higher, especially change of color will be obvious. The bichromate of potassium is used for definition of purity of silver in alloy. For this purpose it is mixed with metal. If alloy does not contain impurity, then solution will be bright red color. In case of green color of solution, precious metal will contain only in fifty percent of alloy.
Danger of work with a potassium bichromate
According to norms of labor protection the bichromate of potassium is dangerous substance. It causes allergies and irritates the skin. Long influence can lead to burns of skin or inflammation, emergence of bubbles, an itch and reddening. Inhalation of a bichromate of potassium can cause irritation of lungs. Long influence of this substance leads to death. Some people have an allergy to bichromate of potassium and have to avoid contact with it. On labels of products it can be specified under other names: potassium bichromate, dipotassium bichromate or metal chrome.