Product Overview
Sodium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade is a highly alkaline solid chemical agent manufactured to meet the strict analytical standards of the American Chemical Society. Also known as caustic soda or lye, this compound has the molecular formula HNaO and a molecular weight of 39.997 g/mol. Alliance Chemical distributes this high-purity solid to support chemical processing facilities, laboratories, and manufacturing plants across the United States. Characterized by its rapid solubility in water, this product generates significant heat during dissolution due to its highly exothermic reaction. This chemical serves as a foundational building block in various industrial workflows, including our specialized collection of bases, serving key roles in chemical synthesis, neutralization reactions, and equipment maintenance protocols.
As a premier Texas chemical distributor operating since 1997, Alliance Chemical ensures that our solid sodium hydroxide flakes maintain their physical and chemical integrity from our warehouse to your facility. Our flakes feature low levels of trace impurities, providing a reliable baseline for applications requiring rigorous consistency. We package this material in robust, moisture-resistant containers to prevent deliquescence — the process where the substance absorbs moisture from the air until it dissolves. By purchasing from us, clients secure a dependable source of industrial-grade raw materials. Every order is handled in strict compliance with safety regulations, and a comprehensive Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided with every shipment to support your internal risk mitigation plans.
Why This Grade
Selecting Sodium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade is critical for applications where minor elemental contaminants would ruin a process or alter analytical measurements. Unlike technical-grade caustic soda, which may contain higher concentrations of heavy metals, chlorides, and carbonates, our ACS Grade material undergoes stringent quality control to ensure maximum purity. Buyers who operate precision chemical manufacturing, standard solution preparation, or complex chemical synthesis rely on these strict specifications to eliminate variables in their processes.
Using an incorrect grade of sodium hydroxide can lead to severe operational failure modes. For instance, trace metallic impurities can poison catalysts in synthetic pathways, leading to incomplete reactions and poor yields. Carbonate contamination can skew titration results and alter the pH profiling of delicate buffer systems. In electrochemical processing, unwanted ions cause baseline drift and compromise the structural integrity of plated layers. Investing in Alliance Chemical's ACS Grade flakes guarantees consistency, safeguarding your equipment, processes, and final outputs against contamination-related disruptions.
Chemical Profile
- CAS Number
- 1310-73-2
- Chemical Formula
- HNaO
- Molecular Weight
- 39.997 g/mol
- Boiling Point
- greater than 266 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
- Melting Point
- 604 °F (USCG, 1999)
- Flash Point
- Not applicable °C
- Specific Gravity
- 1.5 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
- Appearance
- Sodium hydroxide solution appears as a colorless liquid. More dense than water. Contact may severely irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Toxic by ingestion. Corrosive to metals and tissue.
- Solubility
- 111 % (NIOSH, 2024)
- UN Number
- UN1823
- Hazard Class
- Class 8
- Packing Group
- II
- Proper Shipping Name
- Sodium hydroxide, solid
- GHS Signal Word
- Danger
Values sourced from Alliance Chemical's canonical chemistry registry. Certificate of Analysis (COA) per lot.
Industrial Applications
- Chemical Synthesis and Catalyst Regeneration: Utilized as a strong base to adjust pH, neutralize acids, and regenerate ion-exchange resins in chemical production facilities.
- Pulp and Paper Processing: Applied in the chemical pulping process to dissolve lignin from wood fibers, facilitating high-quality paper manufacturing.
- Textile Mercerization and Dyeing: Employed to treat cotton fibers, which increases their tensile strength, luster, and affinity for vat dyes during processing.
- Metal Finishing and Oxide Removal: Used as an alkaline cleaning bath to strip grease, oils, and oxide scale from steel and other metallic surfaces.
- Biodiesel and Soap Manufacturing: Serves as the primary reactant in transesterification and saponification processes to convert fats and oils into usable products.
Hazmat & Shipping
Sodium Hydroxide Flakes ACS Grade is classified as a hazardous material due to its severe corrosiveness. For transport, it is regulated as UN1823, Hazard Class 8, Packing Group II with the proper shipping name Sodium hydroxide, solid. The designated signal word is Danger. We handle and ship all orders in full compliance with DOT regulations, utilizing robust packaging designed to withstand transportation stresses. Because this material is highly corrosive to metals and human tissue, it requires specialized logistics handling, and our team ensures all regulatory documentation, including hazard labels, is meticulously prepared.
When handling this substance, strict adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines is mandatory to prevent chemical burns and inhalation of dust. According to the product's hazard classifications (H290: May be corrosive to metals; H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage), personnel must wear chemical-resistant gloves, a full-face shield, and protective clothing to shield the skin. In environments where dust may be generated, a NIOSH-approved particulate respirator must be worn. We ship this product to professional facilities across the nation, ensuring that a comprehensive Safety Data Sheet (SDS) accompanies each shipment to guide safe unloading and handling.
Handling & Storage
Store sodium hydroxide flakes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials such as strong acids, organic chemicals, and active metals like aluminum, zinc, and tin, with which it can react to produce flammable hydrogen gas. Keep containers tightly closed, as the flakes are highly hygroscopic and will absorb moisture and carbon dioxide from the air. Ideal storage temperatures should be maintained between 15°C and 30°C. Ensure all storage vessels are constructed of compatible materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or carbon steel, avoiding copper, brass, and aluminum.
Order & Documentation
Alliance Chemical provides the necessary regulatory and technical documentation to support your manufacturing and compliance requirements. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available upon request for every batch we ship, verifying that the product meets ACS specifications. We encourage you to contact our team of chemical experts to discuss bulk container options, custom packaging, or scheduled contract deliveries. To proceed, you can Request a Quote or Download the SDS directly from our resource portal.
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.