Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)

Product Overview

Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) is a highly soluble inorganic base offered in Technical Grade as white, solid flakes with a clean, odorless profile. The material readily dissociates in water to yield hydroxide ions, enabling strong alkaline conditions suitable for pH adjustment, neutralization, and base-catalyzed processes. The product is designed for industrial applications where reliable alkali strength and consistent formulation behavior are critical, such as chemical synthesis, soap production, and electrochemical systems. Typical assay ranges ensure the base activity remains robust across diverse process streams, while controlled impurity levels help minimize downstream equipment fouling and corrosion risk.

In addition to pH control, KOH flakes serve as a versatile reagent in caustic synthesis routes and in manufacturing environments requiring stable alkaline environments. The material’s water solubility and compatibility with common process media support efficient dosing and homogeneous distribution, enabling precise formulation in aqueous systems, glycerol-containing solutions, and certain alcohol-heavy matrices. Adherence to Technical Grade specifications supports predictable performance in process streams, enabling scale-up from pilot to production with confidence.

Key Properties

• Appearance: White, solid flakes
• Chemical Formula: KOH
• Molecular Weight: 56.11 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 1320°C
• Specific Gravity: 1.15 (typical at 20°C)
• Density (25°C): 0.84 g/mL
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water
• Assay (wt %): 85–95 (typical 90) by titration with standardized NaOH
• Color (APHA/Hazen): Max 25 (typical 10)
• Residue after Ignition (wt %): Max 0.2 (typical 0.1)
• Chloride (Cl, ppm): Max 50 (typical 15)
• Nitrate(NO₃⁻, ppm): Max 100 (typical 20)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺, ppm): Max 10 (typical 2)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻, ppm): Max 100 (typical 20)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻, ppm): Max 10 (typical 2)
• Arsenic (As, ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.1)
• Heavy Metals as Pb (ppm): Max 0.5 (typical 0.1)
• Iron (Fe, ppm): Max 5 (typical 1)
• Copper (Cu, ppm): Max 1 (typical 0.2)
• Manganese (Mn, ppm): Max 2 (typical 0.5)
• Nickel (Ni, ppm): Max 2 (typical 0.5)
• Zinc (Zn, ppm): Max 5 (typical 1)
• Aluminum (Al, ppm): Max 2 (typical 0.5)
• Chromium (Cr, ppm): Max 2 (typical 0.5)
• Cobalt (Co, ppm): Max 1 (typical 0.2)
• Calcium (Ca, ppm): Max 1000 (typical 300)
• Magnesium (Mg, ppm): Max 500 (typical 150)
• Potassium (K, ppm): Max 1000 (typical 300)
• Sodium (Na, ppm): Max 1000 (typical 300)
• pKa: 14.0
• Molar/Formula Weight: 56.11 g/mol
• Storage & Handling Reference: Compatible with HDPE and glass; incompatible with aluminum and zinc

Common Applications

• Application Category: pH Adjustment — Water Treatment: Used to raise the pH of acidic process streams and maintain alkaline conditions essential for coagulation, metal precipitation, and disinfection control in municipal and industrial water systems.
• Application Category: Chemical Synthesis — Industrial Chemistry: Serves as a strong base in multiple synthesis steps, enabling deprotonation, esterifications, and various base-catalyzed reactions with high repeatability.
• Application Category: Soap Production — Detergent Manufacturing: Acts as a saponifying agent to convert fats and oils into soap bases, with predictable activity in large-batch processing and controlled saponification rates.
• Application Category: Electrolyte in Batteries — Electronics: Utilized as an alkaline electrolyte component in specific battery chemistries, contributing to ionic conduction and performance stability under operating conditions.
• Application Category: Food Processing — Food Industry: Employed for pH control and as a processing aid in certain formulations, adhering to applicable regulatory outlines for technical-grade handling.
• Application Category: Catalyst Support Preparation — Catalysis: Used in preparation steps requiring strong base conditions for catalyst activation or support modification in industrial reactors.
• Application Category: Pulp & Paper Processing — Chemical Precipitation: Facilitates pH adjustment and chemical balance during bleaching or pulping workflows where alkaline conditions are required.

Safety Precautions

Handle and store under strictly controlled conditions in a cool, dry place away from moisture and incompatible materials. Use appropriate PPE including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and impermeable clothing. Ensure containers are tightly closed and compatible with HDPE or glass packaging, avoiding contact with aluminum or zinc-containing equipment to minimize corrosion risk. Maintain proper ventilation and utilize dedicated caustic handling facilities with neutralization and spill containment capabilities. Follow established SOPs and chemical hygiene plans in accordance with OSHA and local regulations.

Benefits

✔ High Alkaline Strength – Provides reliable pH control and strong base performance across industrial process streams.
✔ Technical Grade Reliability – Meets Technical Grade specifications with controlled impurity profiles suitable for demanding applications.
✔ Controlled Impurity Profile – Low heavy metal and anion contents reduce contamination risk in sensitive downstream processes.
✔ Wide Compatibility – Compatible with HDPE and glass containers, enabling safe bulk storage and handling.
✔ Regulatory-Compliant – Meets standards appropriate for industrial use with SDS guidance for safe operation.