Potassium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade

Product Overview

Potassium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade is a high-purity, strongly alkaline solid chemical supplied by Alliance Chemical. Composed of chemical formula HKO and carrying a molecular weight of 56.106 g/mol, this inorganic compound is characterized by its high affinity for moisture and rapid dissolution in water, generating significant exothermic heat. Industrial operations rely on potassium hydroxide — also known as caustic potash — as a fundamental base for adjusting alkalinity, synthesizing other potassium salts, and driving chemical reactions. This product is prepared as solid dry flakes to minimize dust and allow precise measurements during industrial batching operations. We distribute this compound in various pack sizes, from 2 lbs. up to 55 lbs. bags, ensuring that laboratories, testing facilities, and chemical plants receive the exact quantity. For smaller requirements, you can view our Potassium Hydroxide Flakes catalog pages.

Our potassium hydroxide flakes are manufactured to meet strict standards, guaranteeing low levels of heavy metals and minimal carbonate contamination. This level of purity is vital for applications requiring highly reproducible chemical reactions where trace contaminants could poison catalysts or yield unwanted side reactions. As an established Texas chemical supplier, Alliance Chemical provides these premium flakes to support operations across chemical manufacturing, industrial cleaning formulation, and petroleum refining. It is essential to recognize that this material is highly hygroscopic; it absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture directly from the air, which can alter its composition and weight if left exposed. Consequently, proper handling protocols and secure packaging are necessary to preserve the raw material integrity from the moment of receipt at your facility.

Why This Grade

Selecting ACS Grade potassium hydroxide flakes ensures that your facility is using a product that conforms to the stringent purity specifications established by the American Chemical Society. This high-purity grade is critical because even minute traces of chloride, sulfate, phosphate, or heavy metals can compromise analytical accuracy or interfere with sensitive chemical syntheses. For processes utilizing bases, choosing a lower-purity technical grade when ACS is specified can introduce iron or heavy metal contaminants that catalyze unwanted oxidative degradation or lead to premature product failure. In catalyst preparation, these trace contaminants block active sites, drastically reducing reaction yields and increasing overall manufacturing costs.

In critical industrial setups, concentration and purity drift can lead to major operational failure modes. If your process requires a highly predictable pH or specific stoichiometric ratios of potassium ions, relying on unverified grades introduces unacceptable variables. For instance, in electrolyte formulation for battery systems or electrochemical cells, impurities such as sodium or carbonate will degrade cell performance and accelerate electrode degradation. Using ACS Grade flakes guarantees that you receive a solid base with high assay levels and minimal carbonate content. This extreme level of consistency protects your downstream processes from drift and ensures that your final formulations consistently meet strict quality control parameters.

Industrial Applications

• Chemical Manufacturing: Serves as a fundamental alkaline precursor for synthesizing organic and inorganic potassium compounds, including potassium phosphates and carbonate derivatives.
• Petroleum Refining: Utilized to neutralize organic acids present in crude oil and to remove acidic gases like hydrogen sulfide during fractional distillation.
• Industrial Cleaning Compounds: Serves as a key builder in heavy-duty degreasers, paint strippers, and oven cleaners where strong saponification of fats is required.
• Battery Electrolyte Production: Employed as an alkaline electrolyte in alkaline batteries and fuel cells to facilitate high electrical conductivity during charge cycles.
• Agricultural Chemical Formulations: Used to adjust pH levels and synthesize various herbicides, pesticides, and potassium-based fertilizers that require high chemical purity.

Hazmat & Shipping

Due to its strongly corrosive nature, Potassium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade is highly regulated for transport. It is classified under United Nations transport regulations as UN1813, Hazard Class 8 (Corrosive), Packing Group II. The proper shipping name is Potassium Hydroxide, solid. This compound carries the GHS signal word Danger and is associated with hazard statements H290 (May be corrosive to metals), H302 (Harmful if swallowed), and H314 (Causes severe skin burns and eye damage). Our logistics team ensures that all shipments comply fully with DOT 49 CFR regulations, utilizing specialized packaging designed to withstand corrosive solids and prevent moisture ingress during transit.

Compliance-focused facilities must mandate specific personal protective equipment (PPE) for anyone handling this material, in accordance with GHS precautionary statement P280. Personnel are required to wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, splash-resistant safety goggles, and a full face shield to prevent direct contact with the eyes and skin. Because contact with water or moisture generates intense heat, all spill response kits and handling areas must be equipped with appropriate neutralizing agents. A complete Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided with every order to ensure that your safety officer can establish correct handling, storage, and emergency protocols in compliance with OSHA standards.

Handling & Storage

Store Potassium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, ideally within a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F), away from direct sunlight and moisture. The material must be kept in its original, tightly sealed container — preferably constructed from heavy-duty polyethylene or polypropylene — as it is highly incompatible with metals such as aluminum, zinc, tin, and lead. Contact with these metals will generate highly flammable hydrogen gas. Keep this strong base segregated from strong acids, organic materials, ammonium salts, and chlorinated solvents to prevent dangerous exothermic reactions or toxic gas release. Ensure containers remain hermetically sealed when not in use to prevent the flakes from absorbing atmospheric moisture and carbon dioxide, which causes clumping and loss of activity.

Order & Documentation

Alliance Chemical is committed to providing reliable supply chains and comprehensive technical documentation for all our chemical products. We ensure that our procurement and quality control processes meet the highest industrial benchmarks. For those needing bulk shipping rates or customized packaging configurations, please contact our support team. You can easily Request a Quote for bulk volumes, or you can Download the SDS directly from our portal to review the complete safety and handling guidelines before finalizing your purchase.

Why Buy from Alliance Chemical

Since 1997, Alliance Chemical has supplied premium industrial chemicals from Taylor, Texas under CAGE Code 1LT50, with a COA and SDS included on every order. For industrial use only.