Caustic Soda Pearls

What are Caustic Soda Pearls?

Molecular Formula (Caustic Soda Pearls): NaOH

Molecular Weight: 39.997 gr/mol

Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide

CAS Number: 1310-73-2

It is the form of Sodium Hydroxide specified as Pearl form or Pellets. It has highly corrosive chemical properties.

When dissolved in water or entering a neutralization reaction with acids, it releases heat into the environment in a way that can ignite flammable substances.

It is often confused with caustic soda flakes. The difference between them is whether they are in flake form or pearl form.

One of the most important differences between Caustic Soda Pearls and Caustic Soda Flakes is the physical appearance. While Caustic Soda Flakes are in flake form, the other has the appearance of a round pinhead.

Another difference is that while Caustic Soda Flakes have a 98% concentration, the other has a 99% concentration. Therefore, the pearl form has a higher concentration.

The most important feature of this caustic derivative is the size of the pearl grains. Therefore, it is an important factor in its field of application.

Other Names Are As Follows;

• Caustic
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Lye Caustic
• Caustic Soda Pellets
• Drain Opener
• Caustic Soda, Liquid
• Bead Hydroxide
• NaOH
• Ascarite
• White Caustic

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

Caustic Soda Pearls are corrosive chemicals with a round bead appearance. It is in solid form.

Melting point is 318 °C.

Boiling point is 1388 °C.

It dissolves easily in water. It dissolves in Ethanol and Methanol.

Unlike caustic soda flakes, it is found in pearl form.

Its density is 2.13 gr/cm³.

What are the Usage Areas of Caustic Soda Pearls?

• It is used in more specific areas compared to caustic soda flakes.
• It is used in the manufacture of personal care products in the cosmetics industry. In addition, it is a chemical used in textile, biodiesel, oil fields, water treatment, soap, and many other various applications.
• In textile product design, it is used as a finishing chemical for fibrous structures. In this field, for the purpose of mercerization, treating cotton fabric with a high concentration of caustic soda solution is a process performed to complete the removal of impurities initiated by cleaning and bleaching.
• The mercerization process can be applied in a relaxed or tensioned state. The process here helps with fiber swelling and fabric thickening. In this way, a stronger and more elastic fabric is obtained.
• It is used for the chemical milling of aluminum.
• In the manufacture of drain openers used in sinks, the raw material in marble-sized form is used.
• It is used to remove blockages occurring in building plumbing.
• In sawmill machines in lumber mills, during the sawing process, there are gums sticking to the saws of the machines from the trees. Caustic Soda Pearls are used to remove and clean such sticky substances.
• To remove rust from metal surfaces, it is mixed with Triethanolamine to protect the metal against corrosion and prevent rusting.
• It is used as a pH stabilizer in processes in the Leather and Textile sectors carried out with Lactic Acid.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

The price of Caustic Soda Pearls is directly dependent on the prices of the chemicals used in its production. It increases when salt prices increase.

The stocks of companies that are distributors of this chemical substance have a significant impact on the selling price. As the stock amount decreases, market prices will rise.

With the increase in production worldwide, the price of caustic soda pearls will decrease for a short time. With the increase in usage areas, prices increase.

Conversely, Sodium Hydroxide production is a raw material that requires energy. With the increase in energy costs, the production cost rises. This will also increase prices.