Sodium Hydroxide Flakes

Product Overview

Sodium Hydroxide Flakes (NaOH), Technical Grade, are a high-purity, white crystalline solid known industrially as Caustic Soda or Lye. This material functions as a strong inorganic base, enabling precise pH adjustment and robust base-catalyzed reactions across chemical processing, textile treatment, and soap 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.

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

Key Properties

• Assay, wt %: 98–100 (typical 99.8)
• Chemical Formula: NaOH
• Molecular Weight: 40.00 g/mol
• Appearance: White, deliquescent flakes
• 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)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻) ppm: max 25 (typical 10)
• Iron (Fe) ppm: max 0.5 (typical 0.1)
• pH (Typical): 12.5 (1% solution)

Common Applications

• Industrial pH Control: Used to raise pH in chemical processing streams, metal finishing, and paper production, providing rapid and uniform base conditions.
• Soap and Detergent Production: Provides the essential alkali component (Lye) necessary for saponification reactions and the formulation of solid soaps and cleaning agents.
• Caustic Cleansing and Degreasing: Employed in heavy-duty cleaning cycles for equipment and process lines, effectively removing organic residues, fats, and oils.
• Chemical Synthesis: Acts as a strong base for organic and inorganic syntheses, including neutralization steps and catalyst activation in batch reactors.
• Textile Processing: Used in fiber processing and pulp bleaching pretreatments where causticity improves fiber accessibility.
• Biodiesel Production: Functions as a catalyst in the transesterification process.

Safety Precautions

Warning: Corrosive Solid. Handle in a well-ventilated area with appropriate PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and protective clothing. Sodium Hydroxide is highly hygroscopic; store in a cool, dry place away from acids or moisture in tightly sealed containers to prevent clumping and dusting.

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. This product is regulated as UN 1823, Sodium Hydroxide, Solid, Class 8, PG II. Ensure appropriate segregation from incompatible materials (acids, organic materials) during transport and storage.

Benefits

High Purity – Tight assay specification (Typical 99.8%) ensures reliable base strength across batch production.
Low Impurity Profile – Controlled levels of chlorides and heavy metals minimize contamination risks in downstream processes.
Stable Storage – Densely packed flakes minimize moisture absorption and dust when stored properly.
Versatile Utility – Suitable for pH adjustment, caustic cleaning, and saponification across diverse industrial sectors.

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