On my package was a bill with concrete information about what's in it
Here is something I found to tell if someone ask you:
Coloring Wood with Sodium Nitrite:
Sodium Nitrite as a Wood Stain: Sodium nitrite can be used to color wood. It reacts with the natural tannins in the wood, leading to a chemical reaction that darkens the wood. This method is particularly effective with oak wood, which has a high tannin content.
Application Steps:
1. Preparing the Wood: The wood should be clean, dry, and free from grease or other contaminants.
2. Preparing the Sodium Nitrite Solution: A solution of sodium nitrite in water is prepared, usually with a concentration of about 5-10%.
3. Applying the Solution: The sodium nitrite solution is evenly applied to the wood surface, for example, using a brush or cloth.
4. Allowing to React: The solution needs time to react with the wood. Depending on the type of wood and the desired intensity of the color, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.
5. Neutralizing and Drying: After the reaction time, the wood should be neutralized with a weak acid solution (e.g., acetic acid) to remove any excess sodium nitrite and stop the reaction. The wood is then thoroughly dried.
Result:
The result is a dark brown to black coloration of the wood, produced by the chemical reaction between sodium nitrite and the tannins in the wood. This color is unique to this method and cannot be exactly replicated with other stains.