Ingredient Dictionary

AMMONIUM NITRATE

Ammonium nitrate is the ammonium salt of nitric acid.

Definition

Ammonium nitrate is the ammonium salt of nitric acid. It has a role as a fertilizer, an oxidising agent and an explosive. It is an inorganic molecular entity, an ammonium salt and an inorganic nitrate salt.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII T8YA51M7Y6 · registered name AMMONIUM NITRATE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERING

Safety & regulatory references

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Warning · H319 (category 2) · H272 (category 3) · H315 (category 2)

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

AMMONIUM NITRATEINCI암모늄나이트레이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Nitric acid, ammonium saltSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 6484-52-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 229-347-8
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID2029668
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID109668

IUPAC: Ammonium nitrate
Molecular formula: H4N2O3
Molecular weight: 80.043 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ammonium nitrate is commercially available both as a colorless crystalline solid and processed into prills for specific applications. Soluble in water. Does not readily burn but will do so if contaminated with combustible material. Accelerates the burning of combustible material. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion. Used to make fertilizers and explosives, and as a nutrient in prod · Ammonium nitrate based fertilizer appears as a grayish white solid in the form of prills. Soluble in water. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.
Odour: Odorless · odourless
Boiling point: Decomposes at 200-260 °C
Melting point: 337.8 °F (USCG, 1999) · 169.7 °C
Solubility: 213 g/100 g water at 25 °C · Slightly soluble in methanol
Density: 1.72 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.72 at 25 °C
Stability: Stability during transport: If heated strongly, decomposes, giving off toxic gases and gases which support combustion. Undergoes detonation if heated under confinement.
pH: 0.1 M solution in water: 5.43 · 5.43 (0.1 other: M)
Colour: white
Melting/freezing point: 210 ℃(calc.)
Flash point: 210 ℃
Vapour pressure: 2.3 ㎪ (at 20 deg C )
Water solubility: 65.5 (20 °C, wt%)
Relative density: 1.72
Decomposition temperature: 210 ℃
Molecular weight: 80.1

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 30 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

pH regulating agent6
Soil amendments5
Intermediate3
Oxidizing agent3
Energy releasers (explosives, motive propellant)2
Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)2
Catalyst2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2

5 other uses

Explosion inhibitor1
Dye1
Plasticizer1
Corrosion inhibitor1
Biocide1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 4 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low2

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 7 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Eye irritation - category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across