Sodium Sulfide 60% (Na₂S) – Specifications, Uses & Supply

Sodium Sulfide 60% is an industrial inorganic chemical widely used in leather processing, mining, pulp and paper, wastewater treatment, chemical manufacturing, and other heavy-industry applications. Its chemical formula is Na₂S, and commercial grades are commonly supplied as flakes, lumps, or other solid forms depending on production specification and customer requirements.

The 60% grade does not mean the product contains only sodium sulfide and nothing else. Commercial material normally contains active Na₂S together with water and smaller amounts of related sodium compounds. Therefore, industrial buyers should compare the active content, iron level, insoluble matter, physical form, packaging, and current COA before choosing a product. Basekim supplies Sodium Sulfide 60% for international industrial orders based on required specifications and shipment terms.

What Is Sodium Sulfide?

Sodium sulfide is an alkaline sulfur compound made from sodium and sulfur.

Its chemical formula is:

Na₂S

When dissolved in water, it forms a strongly alkaline sulfide solution. This chemical behavior makes it useful in processes that require sulfur chemistry, reduction, precipitation, dehairing, flotation control, or treatment of certain metal-containing waste streams.

Commercial sodium sulfide should not be confused with every other sulfide chemical. Products such as sodium hydrosulfide, sodium bisulfite, and sodium sulfate have very different properties and uses.

What Does Sodium Sulfide 60% Mean?

The term Sodium Sulfide 60% refers to the approximate active Na₂S content of the commercial product.

A typical industrial grade may contain around 60% active sodium sulfide, while the remaining portion can include water and small amounts of related sodium compounds.

For buyers, this concentration matters because it directly affects:

• Required dosage

• Process efficiency

• Cost per unit of active material

• Storage

• Shipping

• Final formulation

Two products sold under the same general name may not deliver identical performance if their active Na₂S content or impurity levels differ.

Typical Specifications

The following table shows a typical commercial specification for a 60% industrial grade. Final values should always be confirmed against the latest TDS or COA.

For certain commercial grades, buyers may request tighter limits on iron and insoluble matter, especially when product color or downstream purity matters.

Available Forms and Grades

Sodium sulfide can appear in more than one commercial form.

Depending on manufacturer and grade, the product may be available as:

• Flakes

• Lumps

• Solid pieces

• Aqueous solutions

Solid 60% grades are common in international industrial trade because they provide relatively high active content and practical transport efficiency.

Color may also vary according to production method, iron content, and purity. Therefore, buyers should not judge product quality only from appearance.

Instead, the COA provides a much better basis for comparing products.

Main Uses of Sodium Sulfide

Sodium sulfide serves several major industries. However, the required grade can change according to the process.

Leather and Tannery Applications

The leather industry is one of the best-known users of sodium sulfide.

Tanneries use sulfide chemistry during early leather-processing stages, particularly in systems designed to remove hair and prepare hides for further treatment.

The product helps break down sulfur-containing bonds in hair and supports hide preparation.

In commercial operations, the exact dosage depends on:

• Hide type

• Process design

• Sulfide concentration

• Temperature

• Other chemicals in the bath

Because sulfide solutions are strongly alkaline and can release hazardous hydrogen sulfide under acidic conditions, tanneries must control process chemistry carefully.

Mining and Mineral Processing

Mining operations can use sodium sulfide in selected flotation and mineral-processing systems.

Its role may include:

• Surface modification

• Sulfidization

• Selective mineral separation

• Treatment of oxide minerals

• Precipitation of certain metals

For example, sulfide ions can change the surface chemistry of some minerals and improve their response during flotation.

However, the correct dosage depends on ore composition, pH, reagent system, and processing conditions.

Therefore, mining companies normally evaluate the product through plant or laboratory testing before large-scale use.

Pulp and Paper Industry

Sodium sulfide also plays an important role in pulp and paper processing.

In kraft pulping systems, sulfide chemistry helps support the breakdown of lignin and the separation of cellulose fibers.

The actual pulping chemistry involves a controlled combination of alkaline chemicals.

Therefore, pulp manufacturers focus on chemical concentration, process control, recovery systems, and impurity management rather than treating Na₂S as an isolated additive.

Wastewater Treatment

Sodium sulfide can be used in certain wastewater-treatment processes, especially where operators need to remove dissolved heavy metals.

Sulfide ions can react with some metal ions and form poorly soluble metal sulfides.

This can support precipitation of metals such as:

• Copper

• Zinc

• Lead

• Nickel

• Cadmium

However, sulfide treatment requires careful control.

Excess sulfide can create serious odor and safety problems. In particular, acidic conditions may cause the release of hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S).

For this reason, industrial wastewater systems must control pH, dosing, ventilation, and residual sulfide.

Chemical Manufacturing

Na₂S also works as a raw material or processing chemical in several chemical industries.

Possible uses include production of:

• Sulfur-containing compounds

• Dyes and pigments

• Specialty chemicals

• Reducing agents

• Chemical intermediates

Its strong reactivity makes it useful, but the same reactivity also requires controlled handling and storage.

Textile and Dye Applications

Selected textile and dye processes may use sulfide chemistry as part of color production or reduction systems.

For example, sodium sulfide has long been associated with the production and application of certain sulfur dyes.

The exact process depends on:

• Dye chemistry

• Fiber type

• Reducing conditions

• pH

• Temperature

Modern manufacturers should also consider wastewater and residual sulfide treatment when designing such systems.

Sodium Sulfide vs Sodium Hydrosulfide

Sodium sulfide and sodium hydrosulfide are related chemicals, but they are not the same product.

The two products can sometimes serve related applications, but they should not be substituted on a weight-for-weight basis without technical evaluation.

Active sulfur content, alkalinity, molecular weight, and process chemistry differ.

Solubility and Chemical Behavior

Sodium sulfide dissolves readily in water and creates an alkaline solution.

This is important for industrial users because dissolution can affect:

• Dosing speed

• Process pH

• Reaction rate

• Storage system

• Chemical compatibility

Its most important safety-related chemical behavior involves acids.

When sulfide-containing material contacts acidic conditions, it can release hydrogen sulfide gas.

H₂S is highly hazardous. Therefore, sodium sulfide should be kept away from acids and handled according to the current SDS.

Sodium Sulfide Price

Sodium Sulfide price depends on more than active concentration.

Important commercial factors include:

• Na₂S content

• Iron level

• Physical form

• Product grade

• Quantity

• Packaging

• Origin

• Freight rates

• Destination

• Incoterm

• Market supply

A lower price per metric ton does not always mean a lower process cost.

For example, a product with lower active content or higher impurity levels may require a higher dosage or create additional treatment costs.

Therefore, industrial buyers should compare the cost based on the actual specification and active content, not only the headline price.

Packaging and Bulk Supply

Packaging should protect the product from moisture, contamination, and physical damage during transport.

Common commercial packaging may include suitable industrial bags, drums, or other export packaging depending on the product form and destination.

Before placing an order, buyers should confirm:

• Net weight per package

• Packaging type

• Pallet requirements

• Container loading

• Product form

• Active content

• Country of origin

• SDS

• TDS

• COA

For international shipments, buyers should also confirm labeling and transportation requirements before loading.

Storage and Handling

Sodium sulfide requires controlled storage.

Keep the material:

• Dry

• Properly sealed

• Away from acids

• Away from incompatible chemicals

• Protected from contamination

• In a properly ventilated storage area

Workers should avoid direct contact with the product and follow the personal-protection requirements in the SDS.

Suitable protective measures may include:

• Chemical-resistant gloves

• Eye protection

• Protective clothing

• Suitable ventilation

Facilities should also prepare for accidental spills and exposure according to local workplace rules.

Safety Considerations

Sodium sulfide is not a mild general-purpose chemical.

Its alkaline nature can cause serious irritation or chemical burns, depending on concentration and exposure.

More importantly, contact with acids can generate hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas.

Therefore, workers should never mix sulfide products with acidic materials unless the process is specifically engineered and controlled for that chemistry.

Handling procedures should follow the latest SDS and site-specific safety rules.

SDS, TDS and COA

Professional buyers should request the correct technical documents for the exact grade they purchase.

TDS

The Technical Data Sheet should provide information such as:

• Active Na₂S

• Appearance

• Physical form

• Iron level

• Insoluble matter

• Related sodium compounds

• Typical product properties

SDS

The Safety Data Sheet covers:

• Hazard classification

• First aid

• Exposure controls

• Handling

• Storage

• Spill response

• Fire considerations

• Transport

• Disposal

COA

The Certificate of Analysis provides batch-specific or shipment-specific results for the agreed parameters.

For bulk chemical buying, the COA is often the most useful document for confirming that the shipment meets the purchased specification.

What Buyers Should Check Before Ordering

Before requesting a quotation, buyers should ideally provide:

• Required Na₂S content

• Physical form

• Maximum iron level if important

• Required impurity limits

• Quantity

• Packaging

• Destination

• Required documents

• Intended application

This makes it easier to quote the correct grade and reduces specification problems after shipment.