Technical aspects
Ammonium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline powder with an alkaline pH and characteristic reactivity at elevated temperatures. It is a mixture of ammonium bicarbonate (E503II) and a small amount of anti-caking agent (E504I).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder |
| pH (5% solution) | 7.5 – 8.5 |
| NH₄HCO₃ (E503ii) content | 99.0 – 99.4% |
| Non-volatile substances | ≤ 0.9% |
| Magnesium carbonate (E504i) | 0.02 – 0.9% |
| Iron (Fe) | < 3 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | < 1 ppm |
| Lead (Pb) | < 1 ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) | < 1 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | < 0.05 ppm |
| Antimony (Sb) | < 0.5 ppm |
| Chromium (Cr) | < 1 ppm |
| Copper (Cu) | < 0.5 ppm |
| Tin (Sn) | < 1 ppm |
| Zinc (Zn) | < 2 ppm |
| Heavy metals (Pb) | < 3 ppm |
| Chlorides (Cl) | < 10 ppm |
| Sulphates (SO₄) | < 30 ppm |
| Bulk density | approx. 0.96 kg/l (vibrated), approx. 0.85 kg/l (loose) |
| Particle size | 0.1 – 0.7 mm (typically < 0.5 mm) |
