Caustic Soda: A Versatile Chemical Compound
Caustic Soda, a vital chemical substance, serves as a corrosive base across a wide range of industries. It plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing processes of textiles, paper, soaps, and cleaning products, making it a highly sought-after import in every country.
Production and Chemical Formula: Caustic Soda is produced through the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution. At room temperature, it appears as a solid, waxy substance with no discernible odor. Derived from sodium and hydroxide ions, its chemical formula is NaOH. However, the commercially available form of this product is typically sodium hydroxide monohydrate, often represented as NaOH·H2O.
Alternate Names for Caustic Soda:
- Sodium Hydroxide: A term commonly used by chemists, referring to its sodium ions.
- Lye and Soda: A designation arising from its strong alkali nature.
- Caustic Soda: Frequently employed among traders due to its corrosive and caustic properties.
Various Forms of Caustic Soda: Caustic soda exists in multiple forms, including liquid, flakes, granules, cubes, and blocks, each tailored to specific applications. However, liquid and flake forms are typically more efficient. Liquid caustic soda, primarily produced in China, finds suitability in the pulp and paper industry, water and sewerage treatments, and as an additive in the food industry.
Liquid Caustic Soda:
- Available in 50% and 73% solutions in water.
- Notably environmentally friendly, as it has a moderate impact on the environment and readily neutralizes when dissolved in water.
- Energy-efficient, reducing energy waste and associated costs.
Caustic Soda Flakes:
- Absorbs water more rapidly compared to granules and cubes, resulting in less heat release and a reduced risk of explosion.
- Offers competitive pricing and higher production rates compared to granules, cubes, and blocks.
Caustic Soda, in its various forms, remains indispensable in numerous industrial processes, contributing to the efficiency and production quality in diverse sectors.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS) Caustic Soda Liquid
| Property | ISIRI Compliant Range | Product Range | Standard Reference |
| Purity of Sodium Hydroxide (%W) | Min 48 | Min 48 | ISIRI 364 |
| Carbonate as Na2CO3 (%W) | Max 0.5 | Max 0.3 | ISIRI 364 |
| Chloride as NaCl (%W) | Max 0.03 | Max 0.015 | ISIRI 364 |
| Sulfate as Na2SO4 (%W) | Max 0.007 | Max 0.004 | ISIRI 364 |
| Silicate as SiO2 (%W) | Max 0.01 | Max 0.005 | ISIRI 364 |
| Fe (mg/kg) | Max 10 | Max 7 | ISIRI 364 |
| Insoluble in Water (%W) | Max 0.05 | 0.00 | ISIRI 364 |
| Aluminum as Al2O3 (mg/Kg) | Max 10 | Max 10 | ISIRI 364 |
| Heavy Metals as Pb (mg/Kg) | Max 10 | Max 10 | ISIRI 364 |
| Hg (mg/Kg) | Max 0.1 | Max 0.1 | ISIRI 364 |
| Arsenic as As2O3 (mg/Kg) | Max 1 | Max 1 | ISIRI 364 |
| Appearance | Colorless, Clear, Free of Sediment & Suspended particles | OK | ISIRI 364 |
Properties of Caustic Soda
Caustic soda primarily exists in solid form but exhibits distinctive properties that warrant careful handling and storage considerations:
- Hygroscopic Nature: Caustic soda has a high affinity for water absorption. It readily absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment. Therefore, it should be stored in dry conditions to prevent unintended reactions and maintain its integrity.
- Exothermic Reaction: When dissolved in water, caustic soda undergoes an exothermic reaction. This reaction is accompanied by the release of heat, resulting in the solution becoming hot. Due to this property, caution is advised when mixing caustic soda with water to prevent splashing and burns.
- Corrosive Characteristics: Caustic soda is a highly corrosive substance. It reacts vigorously with certain metals, including aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and tin. These reactions can be hazardous, potentially leading to the generation of hydrogen gas, which poses explosion risks. Handling and storage of caustic soda should adhere to strict safety guidelines to mitigate such risks.
Caustic soda’s propensity to absorb moisture, its exothermic nature when mixed with water, and its corrosive properties necessitate careful handling, storage, and adherence to safety protocols to ensure safe utilization in various industrial applications.
Specifications of Caustic Soda Flakes 99.5% Purity
| Test Name | Unit | Importance Degree | Accepting Limit | Test Result | Test Method |
| Purity of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | % W | Important | Min 98 | 99.16 | IRISI-364 clause1-7/IRISI 6135 |
| Carbonate as Na₂Co₃ | % W | Important | Max 1 | 0.43 | IRISI-364 clause2-7/IRISI 6135 |
| Chloride as NaCl | % W | Important | Max 0.06 | 0.0085 | IRISI-364 clause3-7/IRISI 2535 |
| Sulfate as Na₂So₄ | % W | Important | Max 0.01 | 0.0047 | IRISI-364 clause4-7/IRISI 2539 |
| Silicate as SiO2 | % W | Important | Max 0.02 | 0.0019 | IRISI-364 clause5-7/IRISI 2531 |
| Fe | mg/kg | Important | Max 30 | 12.5 | IRISI-364 clause6-7/IRISI 2537 |
| Insoluble in water | % W | Important | Max 0.1 | 0 | IRISI-364 clause7-7/IRISI 7904 |
| Aluminum as Al₂O₃ | mg/kg | Important | Max 20 | <20 | IRISI-364 clause8-7/IRISI 7903 |
| Heavy metals as Pb | mg/kg | Important | Max 20 | <20 | IRISI-364 clause9-7/IRISI 7905 |
Substances Reacting with Caustic Soda
Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) exhibits reactivity with various substances, and it’s essential to understand these interactions for safe handling and storage:
- Metals: Caustic soda reacts vigorously with several metals, including magnesium, zinc, aluminum, bronze, copper, chromium, brass, and alloys containing these metals. This reaction can lead to surface corrosion and the production of hydrogen gas, which may pose explosion risks. Therefore, it should not come into contact with these metals.
- Galvanized Materials: Caustic soda should not be used in contact with zinc-coated or galvanized materials due to the corrosive nature of the reaction.
- Halogenated Organics: Caustic soda reacts with halogenated organic compounds, and caution should be exercised to avoid such reactions.
- Organic Nitro Compounds: Caustic soda may react with organic nitro compounds, and these interactions should be avoided.
- Acids: Contact with acids can lead to chemical reactions and should be prevented.
- Water: Diluting caustic soda in water can generate significant heat, and pouring water onto caustic soda can cause splattering. Care should be taken when mixing them.
- Biological Tissues: Caustic soda can react with organic materials, including animal skin and body organs. This reaction can be harmful.
- Sugars: Reacting caustic soda with specific sugars like maltose, galactose, and fructose may produce carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous. This reaction should be avoided, especially in situations involving caustic soda near food and beverages.
Understanding caustic soda’s reactivity with these substances is crucial for maintaining safety and preventing unintended chemical reactions in various industrial and storage settings.
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