What Is Alum and How Is It Used? - ThoughtCo
Usually, when you hear about alum it is in reference to potassium alum, which is the hydrated form of potassium aluminum sulfate and has the chemical formula KAl(SO 4) 2 ·12H 2 O. However, any of the compounds with the empirical formula AB(SO 4) 2 ·12H 2 O are considered to be an alum. Sometimes alum is seen in its crystalline form, although it is most often sold as a powder.