Sodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda and caustic soda, has the chemical formula NaOH. It is a highly corrosive strong base, usually in white flakes or granules. It can be mixed with water to form an alkaline solution, and can also be dissolved in methanol and ethanol. This alkaline substance is deliquescent and will absorb water vapor in the air, as well as acidic gases such as carbon dioxide. Sodium hydroxide is one of the commonly used chemicals. It has a wide range of applications and is a necessity in many industrial processes: it is often used in the manufacture of wood pulp paper, textiles, soaps and other detergents, and is also used in household alkaline drain cleaning products.

Chemical Properties

Safety Information

Product Usage

Sodium hydroxide has a broad range of applications. In chemical experiments, it serves not only as a reagent but also as an alkaline desiccant due to its strong hygroscopic properties. 

Caustic soda plays a vital role in the national economy, with numerous industrial sectors relying on it. The largest consumer is the chemical manufacturing industry, followed by paper 

production, aluminum and tungsten smelting, viscose fiber manufacturing, and soap production. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes, plastics, pharmaceuticals, organic intermediates,

 reclaimed rubber, metal sodium electrolysis, water treatment, and inorganic salt production such as borax, chromium salts, manganates, and phosphates.

Industrial sodium hydroxide must meet the requirements of national standard GB209-2006;

Industrial ion-exchange membrane sodium hydroxide should comply with GB/T11199-89;

Sodium hydroxide for chemical fiber should meet GB11212-89;

Food-grade sodium hydroxide must conform to GB5175-85.

In industrial contexts, sodium hydroxide is commonly referred to as caustic soda, a name derived from its ability to cause severe skin burns upon contact with concentrated solutions.

 It dissolves proteins, making alkali burns slower to heal than acid burns. A 0.02% solution instilled into rabbit eyes can damage the corneal epithelium. Toxicity data include: mouse 

intraperitoneal LD50 of 40 mg/kg and rabbit oral LDLo of 500 mg/kg. Dust can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract, corrode the nasal septum, and damage skin—especially mucous 

membranes—producing soft scabs that may penetrate deeply and leave permanent scars.