Aluminum Sulfate is a compound created by combining aluminum hydroxide with sulfuric acid. Because of its ability to cause impurities in water to bind together, one of its primary uses is in treating waste water. This tendency of impurities to bind together is typically referred to as flocculation. It is also widely used in the textile industry, although for a markedly different reason. When
. cloth is being dyed or printed, it is common to add aluminum sulfate to water because the resulting chemical reaction produces a gelatinous compound that is insoluble. This compound allows pigments to more closely adhere to fabric. It was long believed that adding aluminum sulfate to deodorant was an easy method to create an anti-perspirant. Though it is still widely used in the production of deodorants, the United States Food and Drug Administration has concluded that aluminum sulfate does not operate as an anti-perspirant. Because of its ability to lower the pH level of garden soil, aluminum sulfate is a common ingredient in fertilizers. It is also often used in baking soda because it prevents the other ingredients from clotting. Although there is no definitive proof that aluminum sulfate is harmful when ingested, some doctors have warned against using baking powder that includes aluminum sulfate. The ability of aluminum sulfate to create impermeable substances has accorded it an important role in industrial applications. It is commonly used in the construction industry to waterproof elements of a structure that are open to the weather. It is also typically added to concrete mixtures because it allows concrete to form more quickly. When combined with sodium bicarbonate, aluminum sulfate can create a thick foam. Coupled with its impermeability, this has resulted in it often being used as a retardant in fire extinguishers. Less common uses are to treat bug bites and to kill pests such as mollusks. http://www.aluminumsulfate.net/ or http://www.generalchemical.com/aluminum-sulfate.html
