Sodium Percarbonate Grades: Specifications and Applications Guide

Sodium percarbonate grades are typically distinguished by coating and active oxygen content: uncoated technical grade for immediate-release cleaning formulations, and silicate- or sulfate-coated stabilized grade for products that require a longer shelf life, such as laundry powders and tablet-form bleaches. Buyers should specify active oxygen assay, particle size distribution, and coating type when requesting a quote, since these three parameters determine performance and storage behavior.

Sodium percarbonate (CAS 15630-89-4) is an addition compound of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, commonly written as 2Na2CO3·3H2O2. It is manufactured as a free-flowing white granular solid that, on contact with water, dissociates back into sodium carbonate, water, and hydrogen peroxide. This hydrogen peroxide release is the source of its bleaching, oxidizing, and disinfecting action, making the material the solid-state equivalent of liquid hydrogen peroxide with the practical advantage of a dry, stable, easy-to-transport form.

Sodium Percarbonate Grades and How They Differ

Commercial sodium percarbonate grades fall into two broad families: uncoated (technical) and coated (stabilized). Uncoated material offers the highest active oxygen content per unit weight but decomposes more readily in humid conditions or in the presence of trace metal contaminants. Coated grades apply a thin layer of sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, or a combination of these, which slows water ingress and significantly extends shelf life in finished powder formulations. Particle size is a secondary but important specification: finer granules dissolve faster and suit compact tablet or capsule formats, while coarser granules resist caking and segregation in bulk powder blends.

Main Applications by Industry

The largest volume use of sodium percarbonate is as the oxygen-release bleach component in laundry detergent powders and tablets, where it works alongside bleach activators such as TAED to achieve effective stain removal at lower wash temperatures. It is also widely formulated into automatic dishwasher detergents, denture-cleaning tablets, all-purpose oxygen cleaners, and household stain removers. Outside of home care, the material finds use in industrial and institutional cleaning concentrates, textile and pulp bleaching processes, and as a controlled oxygen-release agent in agricultural and aquaculture applications where it supplements dissolved oxygen in water systems.

Formulation and Processing Notes

Sodium percarbonate dissolves readily in water, with the dissolution rate and active oxygen release accelerating in alkaline conditions and at elevated temperature. This same sensitivity is what makes the material reactive with moisture, heat, and trace heavy-metal ions (iron, copper, manganese), all of which catalyze premature decomposition and can trigger localized exothermic reactions in bulk storage. Formulators building powder blends should avoid direct contact with reducing agents, acids, and organic materials, and should source coated grades when the finished product will be stored for extended periods or in variable-humidity markets. Compatibility testing with surfactants, builders, and enzymes used in the same formulation is standard practice before scale-up.

Handling and Storage

As a strong oxidizer, sodium percarbonate should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, segregated from combustible materials, reducing agents, and incompatible metals. Bulk packaging is typically 25kg multi-wall paper or PP/PE bags with an internal moisture barrier, with bulk bag (FIBC) options available for high-volume formulators; both formats should be kept sealed until use to limit moisture pickup. Warehousing away from direct sunlight and heat sources reduces the risk of gradual active oxygen loss prior to processing.

QA Documentation Buyers Should Request

A certificate of analysis (COA) for each lot should confirm active oxygen content by titration, particle size distribution, bulk density, moisture content, and appearance, together with lot number for traceability. A current specification sheet detailing coating type, recommended storage conditions, and shelf-life guidance under defined humidity and temperature ranges supports both incoming QC and shelf-life planning for the finished product. Buyers formulating for regulated markets should also confirm packaging integrity and segregation requirements are documented in the supplier's handling data sheet.