Chemical laboratory

Potassium Hydroxide Flakes

High-Purity Caustic Potash for Industrial Applications

  • CAS 1310-58-3
  • Formula KOH
  • Flash Pt N/A °C
  • Density 2.044 g/cm³
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Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 1327°C °C
Flash point N/A °C
Density 2.044 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility 121 g/100 mL (0 °C); 178 g/100 mL (25 °C) -
Ph >14 (1 M aqueous solution) -
Molecular weight 56.11 g/mol g/mol
Melting point 360°C °C
Vapor pressure N/A mmHg
Autoignition temp N/A -
Appearance White or slightly yellow, deliquescent flakes or lumps -
Odor Odorless -
Vapor density N/A g/cm³

Overview

Potassium Hydroxide Flakes (KOH) is a highly caustic, white crystalline compound that serves as one of the most important industrial alkalis. With its exceptional solubility in water and strong alkaline properties, this deliquescent material is essential across numerous manufacturing processes. At Alliance Chemical, we supply laboratory and industrial-grade potassium hydroxide flakes that meet rigorous quality standards for diverse applications ranging from soap manufacturing to pH adjustment systems.

Key Applications

  • Soap and Detergent Manufacturing: Essential for saponification processes in producing liquid soaps and specialty cleaning products where potassium-based formulations are preferred over sodium alternatives
  • Biodiesel Production: Acts as a critical catalyst in transesterification reactions, converting vegetable oils and animal fats into biodiesel fuel
  • pH Adjustment and Water Treatment: Provides precise alkalinity control in industrial processes, wastewater treatment, and chemical manufacturing operations
  • Electronic and Battery Industries: Serves as an electrolyte component in alkaline batteries and is used in semiconductor cleaning and etching processes

Safety & Handling

Potassium hydroxide flakes are highly corrosive and require careful handling procedures. While the material has no flash point and is non-flammable, it poses significant risks to skin, eyes, and respiratory systems. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Ensure adequate ventilation when handling, as the material can generate heat when dissolved in water. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption due to its deliquescent nature.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store potassium hydroxide flakes in a cool, dry location away from moisture, acids, and organic materials. Use sealed, corrosion-resistant containers made of polyethylene or stainless steel. Avoid aluminum, zinc, or tin containers which can react with the alkaline material. Maintain storage temperatures below 25°C and protect from humidity to prevent caking. When properly stored, the product maintains its quality indefinitely, though regular moisture content testing is recommended for critical applications.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical provides reliable supply of Potassium Hydroxide Flakes with same-day shipping from our Taylor, Texas facility. We offer flexible delivery options including UPS for smaller quantities and LTL/FTL freight for bulk orders. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificates of Analysis (COA) to ensure compliance with your quality requirements and regulatory standards.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is potassium hydroxide (KOH) flakes and what are they used for?
Potassium hydroxide flakes (CAS 1310-58-3, formula KOH) are white, deliquescent solid alkali used as a strong base and desiccant in industrial and laboratory settings. Common uses include chemical synthesis, pH control, soap and biodiesel production, electrolytes for alkaline batteries, and laboratory reagent applications.
How should KOH flakes be stored and what is their shelf life?
Store KOH flakes in tightly sealed, moisture‑proof containers in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area away from acids and oxidizers. If kept dry and sealed, quality is effectively preserved long term, though manufacturers typically recommend stock rotation and use within 1–3 years to ensure assay consistency.
What are the key safety and handling precautions for potassium hydroxide flakes?
KOH is highly caustic and can cause severe chemical burns; use chemical‑resistant gloves, eye protection or face shield, and protective clothing, and ensure access to eyewash and safety shower facilities. Avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not inhale dust, and neutralize and rinse spills with copious water while preventing runoff to drains.
How do different concentrations of potassium hydroxide affect its properties and uses?
KOH is supplied as solid flakes or formulated into aqueous solutions at customer‑specified concentrations; higher concentrations increase corrosivity and alkaline strength and alter freezing and boiling behavior. Typical industrial solutions are made to ranges commonly used for cleaning, synthesis and electrochemical applications, and concentration should be chosen based on the intended process and materials compatibility.
What documentation is available for KOH flakes (SDS, CoA, technical data)?
Suppliers provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Certificates of Analysis (CoA) showing assay and impurities, and technical data sheets (TDS) with physical and handling information. Additional regulatory documents (REACH, RoHS declarations) and transport paperwork can be provided on request.
How are potassium hydroxide flakes shipped and what packaging options are available?
KOH is shipped as a corrosive material under international transport regulations (Class 8) and is typically packaged in poly‑lined multiwall paper bags, plastic drums, or IBCs to prevent moisture uptake. Small quantities may be offered in sealed bottles or pails, and bulk options with custom liners or palletization are available for large orders.
Which materials are compatible or incompatible with potassium hydroxide?
KOH is corrosive to many metals such as aluminum, zinc, tin and their alloys and can attack certain coatings and elastomers; avoid these materials in contact systems. It is generally compatible with stainless steels (e.g., 316), nickel alloys, glass, and plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene and PTFE, and elastomers such as EPDM — always verify compatibility for concentration and temperature conditions.
What are the typical technical specifications for KOH flakes (appearance, purity, molecular weight)?
Potassium hydroxide flakes are white to off‑white hygroscopic solids with formula KOH and molar mass 56.11 g·mol⁻¹; commercial assay grades commonly range from technical to reagent purity (typical assays 90–99% depending on grade). Typical specification sheets list water content, alkalinity, chloride/sulfate impurities and heavy metal limits — request the CoA for exact lot results.
Which industries and applications commonly use potassium hydroxide flakes?
KOH flakes are used in chemical manufacturing, soap and detergent production, biodiesel synthesis, electroplating and battery electrolytes, pulp and paper processing, water treatment, and laboratory research. They serve as a strong base, catalyst, or pH modifier in a wide range of industrial processes.
How can I purchase potassium hydroxide flakes and what should I know about availability and lead times?
KOH flakes are available from chemical distributors in sizes from laboratory bottles to bulk truckloads; availability and lead times depend on grade, quantity and regional stock. When ordering, specify required assay, packaging, shipping documentation (SDS/CoA), and any regulatory or material‑compatibility needs to get accurate pricing and delivery information.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Available for all products

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