What Does the "K" in Purple K Stand For?
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5 min read
First developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in 1959, Purple K was created as a superior alternative to sodium bicarbonate for extinguishing flammable liquid fires. The "K" in Purple K stands for potassium, derived from the chemical symbol 'K' on the periodic table. The agent, composed primarily of potassium bicarbonate, is colored violet to distinguish it from other dry chemical agents and to denote its superior effectiveness.
