Sodium butyl xanthate is one of the most important collectors for sulfide minerals.
In the global mining industry, efficient flotation reagents play a decisive role in improving metal recovery and optimizing beneficiation performance. Among sulfide ore collectors, sodium butylxanthate is one of the most widely used and cost-effective flotation chemicals. Also known internationally as Butyl Xanthate SBX or sodium O-butylxanthogenate, this product is recognized for its strong collecting power, stable performance, and broad applicability in non-ferrous metal flotation.
What Is Sodium Butyl Xanthate?
Sodium butylxanthate, chemically classified as an alkyl dithiocarbonate, belongs to the xanthate family of sulfide mineral collectors. Butyl Xanthate SBX is produced through the controlled reaction of butyl alcohol, sodium hydroxide, and carbon disulfide, resulting in a pale yellow granular or powder product with excellent solubility in water.
From a chemical perspective, sodium O-butylxanthogenate is an anionic collector containing divalent sulfur atoms, which provide strong affinity toward metal sulfide mineral surfaces. This structural characteristic allows sodium butylxanthate to selectively adsorb onto sulfide minerals while showing minimal interaction with common gangue minerals such as quartz and calcite.
Key Physical and Chemical Properties
Product name: sodium butylxanthate / Butyl Xanthate SBX
Chemical name: sodium O-butylxanthogenate
Appearance: Light yellow powder or granules
Solubility: Easily soluble in water
Density: Approx. 1.3–1.7 g/cm³
Active content:
Grade I: ≥84.5%
Grade II: ≥82%
Free alkali: ≤0.5%
Due to its moderate carbon chain length, sodium butylxanthate is classified as a higher-grade xanthate, offering a balance between strong collecting ability and acceptable selectivity.
Application in Sulfide Ore Flotation
Butyl Xanthate SBX is primarily used as a collector for sulfide ores, including:
Copper sulfide ores (chalcopyrite)
Lead sulfide ores (galena)
Zinc sulfide ores (sphalerite)
Nickel and cobalt sulfide ores
Polymetallic sulfide deposits
Compared with lower-grade xanthates such as ethyl xanthate, sodium butylxanthate provides stronger collecting power, making it particularly suitable for refractory or poorly floatable sulfide minerals. In many flotation circuits, sodium O-butylxanthogenate is used to increase metal recovery rates, especially when ore surfaces are complex or uneven.
Typical dosage of Butyl Xanthate SBX in sulfide flotation ranges from 50–100 g/t, depending on ore type, mineral composition, and operating conditions. In some oxidized or mixed ores, dosage may be adjusted accordingly.
Advantages of Sodium Butyl Xanthate
The widespread adoption of sodium butylxanthate in mineral processing is driven by several technical advantages:
Strong collecting ability
The longer alkyl chain of Butyl Xanthate SBX enhances hydrophobicity, improving flotation efficiency for difficult-to-float sulfide minerals.High metal recovery
Sodium O-butylxanthogenate significantly improves recovery rates for copper, lead, and zinc, especially in low-grade or complex ores.Wide applicability
Suitable for single-metal and polymetallic sulfide flotation systems.Flexible blending
Sodium butylxanthate is often blended with other xanthates or collectors to optimize selectivity and flotation performance.Stable quality
When produced under strict quality control, Butyl Xanthate SBX ensures consistent flotation results across different batches.
Storage and Handling Recommendations
Like other xanthate collectors, sodium butylxanthate is sensitive to moisture, heat, and oxidation. Proper storage is essential to maintain product effectiveness:
Store sodium O-butylxanthogenate in sealed, airtight containers
Keep in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated warehouse
Avoid direct contact with water and air
Protect from heat sources and open flames
Prepare solutions freshly before use to prevent decomposition
Correct handling ensures that Butyl Xanthate SBX retains its collecting power throughout its service life.
Why Choose Our Sodium Butyl Xanthate?
As a professional supplier of mining flotation reagents, we provide sodium butylxanthate that meets international quality standards and adapts to diverse ore conditions. Our Butyl Xanthate SBX is widely exported and trusted by mining companies for its stable performance and competitive cost.
Whether you refer to it as sodium butylxanthate, Butyl Xanthate SBX, or sodium O-butylxanthogenate, this product remains a cornerstone reagent for sulfide mineral flotation worldwide.
For detailed specifications, technical support, or customized flotation solutions using sodium butylxanthate, feel free to contact our team. We are committed to helping our partners achieve higher recovery, better selectivity, and more efficient mineral processing operations.