Diammonium Phosphate

Diammonium Phosphate is used as a fertilizer. When applied as plant food, it temporarily increases the soil pH. Diammonium Phosphate can be used as a fire retardant. Diammonium Phosphate lowers the combustion temperature of the material, decreases maximum weight loss rates, and causes an increase in the production of residue or char. These are important effects in fighting wildfires as lowering the pyrolysis temperature and increasing the amount of char formed reduces that amount of available fuel and can lead to the formation of a firebreak. It is the largest component of some popular commercial firefighting products. DAP is also used as a yeast nutrient in winemaking and brewing mead; as an additive in some brands of purportedly as a nicotine enhancer; to prevent afterglow in matches, in purifying sugar; as a Flux for soldering tin, copper, zinc and brass; and to control precipitation of alkali-soluble and acid-insoluble colloidal dyes on wool.