Sodium hexametaphosphate

SHMP is used as a sequestrant and has applications within a wide variety of industries, including as a food additive in which it is used under the E number E452i. Sodium carbonate is sometimes added to SHMP to raise the pH to 8.0–8.6, which produces a number of SHMP products used for water softening and detergents. A significant use for sodium hexametaphosphate is as a deflocculant in the production of clay-based ceramic particles.[3][4][5][6] It is also used as a dispersing agent to break down clay and other soil types.[7] It is used as an active ingredient in toothpastes as an anti-staining and tartar prevention ingredient.