Sodium Hydroxide Flakes

Product Overview

Sodium Hydroxide Flakes (NaOH), Technical Grade, are a high-purity, white crystalline solid with excellent solubility in water. This material functions as a strong inorganic base and alkali, enabling precise pH adjustment and robust base-catalyzed reactions across chemical processing, textile treatment, and paper production. The product is supplied as short, uniform flakes designed for easy dissolution and handling in bulk industrial facilities. Typical assay is 99.8% NaOH by titration, with confirmatory ICP measurements, ensuring reliable base strength for critical downstream processes. The COA aligns with industry practice for Technical Grade materials and mirrors USP/ACS-style testing where applicable to support rigorous quality control and reproducibility in manufacturing environments.

In addition to its fundamental base properties, this grade demonstrates tightly controlled impurities, including low chloride, nitrate, sulfate, and trace metal levels, supporting compatibility with downstream syntheses and minimization of byproduct formation. The product supports pH control in caustic leaching, saponification, and neutralization steps, while its chemical stability and strong alkalinity offer predictable performance across varying process conditions. Storage and handling recommendations emphasize moisture protection and dedicated PPE to maintain dust control and operator safety in large-scale operations.

Key Properties

• Assay, wt %: 98–100 (typical 99.8)
• Chemical Formula: NaOH
• Molecular Weight: 40.00 g/mol
• Boiling Point: Not applicable (solid; decomposes above >400°C)
• Specific Gravity (20°C): 2.13–2.15 (typical 2.14)
• Residue After Ignition: max 0.02% (typical 0.01%)
• Chloride (Cl⁻) ppm: max 20 (typical 8)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻) ppm: max 10 (typical 4)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺) ppm: max 5 (typical 2)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ppm: max 25 (typical 10)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻) ppm: max 5 (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 0.5 (typical 0.1)
• Copper (Cu) ppm: max 0.2 (typical 0.05)
• Sodium (Na) ppm: max 990,000 (typical 950,000)
• pH (Typical): 12.5
• Calcium (Ca) ppm: typical 1,500; max 5,000
• Magnesium (Mg) ppm: typical 600; max 2,000
• Potassium (K) ppm: typical 300; max 1,000
• Molecular Weight Note: 40.00 g/mol

Common Applications

• Industrial pH Control: Used to raise pH in chemical processing streams, metal finishing, and paper production, providing rapid and uniform base conditions in high-tonnage operations.
• Alkalization in Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a strong base for organic and inorganic syntheses, including saponification, neutralization steps, and catalyst activation in batch or continuous reactors.
• Caustic Cleansing and Degreasing: Employed in cleaning cycles for equipment and process lines, enabling removal of organic residues and oils under controlled temperatures.
• Textile Processing: Used in fiber processing and pulp bleaching pretreatments where causticity improves fiber accessibility and reaction efficiency.
• Water Treatment and pH Stabilization: Utilized to neutralize acidic effluents and adjust alkalinity in pretreatment and recirculating systems, with careful monitoring to minimize scaling.
• Soap and Detergent Production: Provides the alkali component necessary for saponification reactions and formulation of cleaning products.
• Chromium and Metal Finishing Pretreatment: Supports surface preparation steps by maintaining caustic conditions essential for etching and cleaning cycles.
• Laboratory Reagent Grade for Titration Standards: Used as a primary standard for acid-base titrations and calibration of analytical methods in R&D and QC labs.

Safety Precautions

Handle in a well-ventilated area with appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and a lab coat or protective clothing. Store in a cool, dry place away from acids or moisture, in tightly sealed containers to prevent moisture uptake and dusting. Follow storage guidelines to minimize exposure and avoid inhalation of any dust; use engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation where dust generation is possible. These measures align with OSHA and USP/ACS-referenced practices for handling caustic alkalis in bulk.

In case of contact with skin or eyes, immediately flush with copious water for at least 15 minutes and remove contaminated clothing. For ingestion or inhalation exposure, seek medical attention promptly and provide the SDS, labeling, and hazard statements. This product is listed under UN 1824, Sodium hydroxide solution, Class 8, PG II for transport; ensure appropriate segregation from incompatible materials and secure packing to prevent spillage during transit. Refer to the SDS for first-aid, firefighting, and spill response guidance, and adhere to local regulatory requirements during storage and handling.

Benefits

✔ High Purity and Consistent Activity – Tight assay specification (98–100%, typical 99.8%) ensures reliable base strength across batch production and aligns with ASTM/USP-like testing practices for Technical Grade materials.
✔ Low Impurity Profile – Controlled impurity levels (chloride, nitrate, sulfate, arsenic, heavy metals) minimize contamination risks in downstream processes and improve process yields.
✔ Stable Storage and Handling – Densely packed flakes with recommended storage practices minimize moisture absorption and dust, supporting long shelf life (up to 24 months when stored properly).
✔ Versatile Industrial Applicability – Suitable for pH adjustment, caustic cleaning, saponification, and neutralization steps in diverse sectors, including chemical, textile, and paper industries.