What other uses are there for alum?

Answer 1

Alums are useful for a range of industrial processes. They are soluble in water; have an astringent, acid, and sweetish taste; react acid to litmus; and crystallize in regular octahedral. When heated they liquefy; and if the heating is continued, the water of crystallization is driven off, the salt froths and swells, and at last an amorphous powder remains. Potassium alum is the common alum of commerce, although soda alum, ferric alum, and ammonium alum are manufactured. Aluminum sulfate is sometimes called alum in informal contexts, but this usage is not regarded as technically correct.