White to light yellow granular, stick or powder. Has hygroscopic. Heated to 320 ℃ above decomposition. In the air oxidation sodium nitrate slowly. A weak decomposition in three oxidation 2 released brown nitrogen gas. Soluble in cold water, 0.6 1.5 of a boiling water, slightly soluble in alcohol. In alkaline solution, pH of about 9. The relative density of 2.17. Melting point 271 ℃. Have oxidizing, can contact with organic burning and explosion, and emits poisonous and stimulating the nitrogen oxide and nitrogen peroxide gas. Medium poison, half of the lethal dose (rats, classics mouth) 180 mg/kg.