natriumsulfaattia

Natriumsulfaatti, also known as sodium sulfate, is the inorganic compound with the formula Na2SO4. It is the sodium salt of sulfuric acid. In its anhydrous form, it is a white crystalline solid. It is also known by its mineral name thenardite. Sodium sulfate decahydrate, Na2SO4·10H2O, is the familiar crystalline form known as Glauber's salt or historically, salt mirabile.

The compound occurs naturally in large deposits, particularly in arid regions where it is formed from the evaporation of saline waters. It is also a byproduct of various industrial processes. Historically, large quantities of sodium sulfate were obtained from the mineral thenardite. Today, most sodium sulfate is produced synthetically, often as a byproduct of chemical manufacturing.

Sodium sulfate has numerous applications. It is widely used in the pulp and paper industry, in detergents as a filler, and in glass manufacturing. It is also employed in the textile industry for dyeing and printing fabrics, and in chemical processing. In medicine, Glauber's salt was historically used as a laxative, though this use is now less common. Its low toxicity and mild dehydrating properties also find it application in some industrial drying processes.