Chemical laboratory

Urea Organic Nitrogen

High-Purity Nitrogen Source for Fertilizers & Industrial Applications

  • CAS 57-13-6
  • Formula CH₄N₂O
  • Flash Pt N/A °C
  • Density 1.323 g/cm³
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Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point Decomposes before boiling °C
Flash point N/A °C
Density 1.323 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility Very soluble in water (1079 g/L at 20°C) -
Ph 7.5 - 9.5 (10% aqueous solution) -
Molecular weight 60.06 g/mol g/mol
Melting point 132.7°C °C
Vapor pressure N/A mmHg
Autoignition temp N/A -
Appearance White crystalline powder or granules -
Odor Slightly ammoniacal -
Vapor density N/A g/cm³

Overview

Urea organic nitrogen (CH₄N₂O), also known as carbamide, is a white crystalline compound that serves as one of the most important nitrogen-containing chemicals in industrial and agricultural applications. With its high nitrogen content of 46%, urea is the world's most widely used solid nitrogen fertilizer and plays a crucial role in numerous chemical processes. This versatile compound offers excellent water solubility and stability, making it an essential raw material across multiple industries.

Key Applications

  • Agricultural Fertilizers: Urea provides an efficient, slow-release nitrogen source for crops, promoting healthy plant growth and maximizing agricultural yields in both granular and liquid fertilizer formulations.
  • Animal Feed Supplements: Used as a non-protein nitrogen source in ruminant feed, urea helps meet protein requirements in cattle and sheep nutrition programs while reducing feed costs.
  • Chemical Manufacturing: Serves as a key intermediate in the production of urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine, and various nitrogen-containing chemicals used in plastics, adhesives, and coatings.
  • Laboratory & Research: Functions as a protein denaturant in biochemical research, cell culture media preparation, and analytical chemistry applications requiring high-purity nitrogen sources.

Safety & Handling

Urea organic nitrogen is generally considered safe to handle with proper precautions. While it has no flash point and does not pose fire hazards, workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment including safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks when handling powder forms. Ensure adequate ventilation in work areas to minimize dust exposure. The slightly ammoniacal odor helps detect airborne particles during handling operations.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store urea in cool, dry conditions away from moisture and incompatible materials such as strong acids and oxidizing agents. Use sealed containers made of plastic, stainless steel, or lined steel to prevent moisture absorption and caking. Maintain storage temperatures below 40°C to prevent decomposition. When stored properly, urea maintains its quality indefinitely, though gradual moisture pickup may cause caking over extended periods.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical delivers Urea Organic Nitrogen with same-day shipping from our Taylor, Texas facility. We offer flexible delivery options including UPS for smaller quantities and LTL/FTL freight for bulk orders. Every shipment includes detailed Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance for your operations.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

Available Sizes

Urea - Organic Nitrogen - 1 Pack (5 lbs.)

1 Pack (5 lbs.)

$14.34

 Urea - Organic Nitrogen - 1 Bag (50 lbs.)

1 Bag (50 lbs.)

$107.36
View all sizes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is urea (Organic Nitrogen) and what is it used for?
Urea (CAS 57-13-6, CH4N2O) is a white crystalline organic nitrogen compound widely used as a nitrogen source in industry and laboratories. Common uses include fertilizer/feedstock for chemical synthesis, resin and adhesive manufacture, metalworking fluids, diesel exhaust fluid (aqueous urea for SCR), and general laboratory reagent work.
How should urea be stored and what is its typical shelf life?
Store urea in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in tightly sealed containers to prevent moisture uptake and caking; keep away from strong oxidizers. Dry, sealed urea solids are generally stable for several years; aqueous solutions have shorter shelf life and may require preservatives and temperature control—consult product-specific storage guidance.
What safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) are recommended when handling urea?
Avoid inhalation of dust and contact with eyes or prolonged skin contact; use dust control, safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and, if needed, particulate respirators. In case of spills, sweep up dry material, minimize dust generation, and follow the SDS for first aid and cleanup procedures.
What concentration and product forms of urea are commonly available?
Urea is supplied as solid prills, granules or crystals (technical and reagent grades) and as aqueous solutions at various concentrations; solids typically correspond to the pure urea molecule (~46% nitrogen by weight), while solutions commonly range 20–40% w/w, with 32.5% being standard for diesel exhaust fluid applications.
What documentation can I request for urea shipments (e.g., certificates and safety data)?
Standard documentation includes Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (COA) detailing assay and impurities, Technical Data Sheets (TDS), and regulatory compliance statements (e.g., REACH/TSCA if applicable). Suppliers can often provide lot-specific COAs and additional test reports on request.
How is urea packaged and shipped for industrial and laboratory orders?
Packaging options include small bags (25–50 kg), bulk bags (500–1,000 kg), drums, and ISO/tanker transport for aqueous solutions; bulk truck deliveries are common for large-volume solid or solution shipments. Pure urea solids are non-flammable and are not classified as a hazardous material for transport in many jurisdictions, but local regulations and packaging requirements should be confirmed.
Is urea compatible with common materials and which substances should be avoided?
Urea is generally compatible with common plastics such as HDPE and polypropylene and with stainless steels for storage and handling systems. Avoid mixing or storing with strong oxidizers, nitrites/nitrates, and strong acids; prolonged exposure to heat and catalytic materials can promote decomposition to ammonia.
What are the key technical specifications for urea I should check before buying?
Key specs include CAS number (57-13-6), chemical formula (CH4N2O), assay/purity (industrial vs. reagent grade), nitrogen content (~46% by mass), physical form (prill, granule, solution), moisture content, and impurity limits (e.g., biuret, ash). Request the COA for batch-specific values.
Which industries and applications commonly use urea?
Major applications include agriculture (nitrogen fertilizers and fertilizer intermediates), chemical manufacturing (urea-formaldehyde resins and adhesives), automotive and power (aqueous urea for SCR/DEF systems), metalworking, and laboratory research as a reagent or protein denaturant. It is also used in wastewater treatment and specialty chemical formulations.
How can I purchase urea and what availability/lead times should I expect?
Urea is widely available from chemical distributors and bulk suppliers in multiple grades and packaging; small-quantity laboratory packs are typically in stock, while large industrial bulk orders may require lead times depending on quantity and seasonality. Contact suppliers for pricing, minimum order quantities, delivery options, and any required regulatory paperwork.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Available for all products

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