Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda)

Caustic Soda, or lye, is an alkali used in soap making. It is also known as sodium hydroxide and has the chemical formula of NaOH. Lye reacts with the fats in oils to produce an opaque or cloudy, hard soap. It is all consumed in the chemical reaction and none remains once the soap is produced.

98.5% minimum purity.

Uses

• Sodium Hydroxide is known to help manufacture a variety of medicines and pharmaceutical products, from common pain relievers like aspirin, to anticoagulants that can help to prevent blood clots, to cholesterol-reducing medications.
• Caustic Soda (sodium hydroxide) is a versatile alkali. Its main uses are in the manufacture of pulp and paper, alumina, soap and detergents, petroleum products and chemical production. Other applications include water treatment, food, textiles, metal processing, mining, glass making and others.
• Sodium Hydroxide is used in several food processing applications, such as curing foods like olives or helping to brown Bavarian-style pretzels, giving them their characteristic crunch. Sodium hydroxide is used to remove skins from tomatoes, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables for canning and also as an ingredient in food preservatives that help prevent mould and bacteria from growing in food.

Safety Precautions & First Aid

First Aid Instructions

Please Take Note: First aid personnel should wear appropriate protective equipment during any rescue. Wash contaminated clothing thoroughly with water before removing it from the affected person, or wear gloves. It may be dangerous for first aid personnel to carry out mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

• When Inhaled

Remove affected person from source of contamination. Move affected person to fresh air and keep warm and at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Maintain an open airway. Loosen tight clothing such as collar, tie or belt. When breathing is difficult, properly trained personnel may assist affected person by administering oxygen. Place unconscious person on their side in the recovery position and ensure breathing can take place.

• When Ingested

Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Remove any dentures. Give a few small glasses of water or milk to drink. Stop if the affected person feels sick as vomiting may be dangerous. Do not induce vomiting unless under the direction of medical personnel. If vomiting occurs, the head should be kept low so that vomit does not enter the lungs. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Move affected person to fresh air and keep warm and at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Place unconscious person on their side in the recovery position and ensure breathing can take place. Maintain an open airway. Loosen tight clothing such as collar, tie or belt.

• Skin Contact

It is important to remove the substance from the skin immediately. Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse immediately with plenty of water. Continue to rinse for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention. Chemical burns must be treated by a physician.

• Eye Contact

Rinse immediately with plenty of water. Remove any contact lenses and open eyelids wide apart. Continue to rinse for at least 10 minutes.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Appearance: White flake

Odour: Almost odourless.

pH: 14 at 20C

Melting Point: 318C

Initial Boiling Point and Range: 1390 C

Flash Point: Not applicable.

Flammability (solid, gas): Not applicable.

Vapour Pressure: <2,4

Bulk Density: 2,13 kg/m

Solubility: Miscible with water.

Explosive Properties: Not applicable.