Chemical Properties
gray crystal(s) mass; hygroscopic [CRC10] [HAW93]
Definition
ChEBI: A metal oxide with formula K2O.
General Description
A white-colored crystalline solid. Denser than water. Contact may severely irritate skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used to make other chemicals.
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water. The oxides of potassium react with water vigorously and with enough evolution of heat to cause boiling and spattering of hot caustic solution, [Chemical Safety Data Sheets SD-9, SD-10. 1947]. Reacts with warm water with violent explosion [Thorpe and Tlitton J. Chem. Soc. 59:1019: 1891].
Reactivity Profile
The higher oxides of potassium, formed in air, react explosively with pure potassium, sodium, sodium-potassium alloys, and organic matter [Mellor 2, Supp. 3:1559. 1963].
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.
Uses
Potassium oxide is a strong alkaline flux which is similar to sodium oxide but is slightly less strong and it begins its fluxing action earlier than does sodium oxide, at approximately 1382°F (750°C). It's a predictable, stable flux that produces bright glossy glazes, but it can't be used alone as a flux. Potassium produces slightly stronger glaze surfaces than does sodium oxide. Its low viscosity and surface tension create fluid glaze melts, but its high coefficient of expansion and contraction may cause crazing.
As mentioned above, potassium oxide is often found combined with sodium oxide, so it's often written as KNaO. lt's only slightly volatile at ceramic temperatures and is just slightly soluble.Usually used in its insoluble forms as feldspars or slightly soluble frits, potassium oxide can also be introduced to the glaze recipe as soluble pearl ash (potassium carbonate), which can cause some flashing like sodium carbonate.
Insoluble sources of potassium oxide are potash feldspars such as Custer, G-200, K-200, A-3, Kona F-4(Del Monte), Cornwall stone, Plastic Vitrox, volcanic ash, Kona A-1, Bell, Eureka, A-300, and mica. All soda feldspars have some potassium oxide; frits P-25, 3110, and 3124 contain minor amounts. Soluble forms of potassium oxide include pearl ash(K2CO3), potassium nitrate (saltpeter), and unwashed wood ash.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Toxics Screening Level
The screening level for the above-mentioned compound is 0.1 μg/m3 based on annual averaging.
