IRON ALUM Meaning and
Definition
-
Iron alum is a chemical compound that falls under the category of a double salt. It is formed through the combination of hydrated potassium sulfate and hydrated ferric sulfate. The chemical formula for iron alum is K2SO4•Fe2(SO4)3•24H2O.
Iron alum is typically found in the form of pale, green crystals. It is known for its astringent and styptic properties, commonly used in medicine and various industries. This compound is soluble in water, and when dissolved, it forms a slightly acidic solution with a pH of around 3.
Iron alum has a wide array of applications and uses. In the leather industry, it is employed as a tanning agent to convert raw animal hides into leather. It is also used as a mordant in textiles, assisting in the binding of dyes to fibers, thereby enhancing colorfastness. In addition, it serves as an important ingredient in the manufacturing of paper, as it helps improve the absorption of ink.
Aside from its industrial uses, iron alum is utilized in medical and cosmetic products. Due to its astringent properties, it can be found in certain antiperspirants and aftershaves, functioning to constrict the skin and reduce pore size. It is also known for its hemostatic properties, making it useful in the treatment of minor cuts and wounds to stop bleeding.
In conclusion, iron alum is a double salt compound made up of hydrated potassium sulfate and hydrated ferric sulfate. It finds application in industries such as leather, textiles, and paper, as well as in medical and cosmetic products due to its astringent and hemostatic properties.
-
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for IRON ALUM
- uron alum
- jron alum
- kron alum
- oron alum
- 9ron alum
- 8ron alum
- ieon alum
- idon alum
- ifon alum
- iton alum
- i5on alum
- i4on alum
- irin alum
- irkn alum
- irln alum
- irpn alum
- ir0n alum
- ir9n alum
- irob alum
- irom alum
Etymology of IRON ALUM
The word "iron alum" is a compound term derived from the combination of two separate words: "iron" and "alum".
1. Iron: The word "iron" traces back to the Old English word "īsern", which is thought to have been borrowed from the Proto-Germanic word "*īsarną". This Proto-Germanic term is further related to the Old Norse word "járn" and the Old High German word "eisarn". Ultimately, these all can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*eis", meaning "metal".
2. Alum: The word "alum" comes from the Latin word "alumen". It is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*alu", which pertains to "bitterness" or "astringent".
