Liquid Caustic Soda

What is Liquid Caustic Soda?

Molecular Formula (Liquid Caustic Soda): NaOH

Molecular Weight: 39.997 g/mol

Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide

CAS Number: 1310-73-2

Liquid Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) is the liquid sodium hydroxide form of caustic soda flakes and caustic soda pearls in a 48% concentration. The concentration offered for sale worldwide is 48%.

It is an aqueous solution in the form of an alkali metal hydroxide. Its solution appears as a colorless liquid that is denser than water.

Other Names are as Follows;

• NaOH
• Sodium Hydroxide
• Caustic
• Caustic Soda
• Caustic Soda
• Sodium Hydroxide Solution
• Soda, Hydrate
• Soda Hydrate Solution
• Caustic Soda, Liquid
• Hydroxyl Sodium

How is Liquid Caustic Soda Produced?

It is produced from 98% caustic soda flakes. In industrial environments, its production is achieved by slowly dissolving caustic soda flakes in water in large tanks.

During the production process of Liquid Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide), enough heat is released during the dissolution of caustic soda flakes in water to ignite flammable substances. For this reason, the caustic soda flake dissolution process must be carried out slowly.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

Its physical appearance is a colorless liquid. It is heavier than water in density. This means it is more viscous than water in terms of viscosity.

Its density is 1.515 g/ml at 20 °C.

It is an odorless chemical.

The boiling point is 130 °C.

The melting point is 0 °C.

It is a very strong base.

Liquid Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) has the ability to dissolve in water, alcohol, and glycerol.

What are the Usage Areas of Liquid Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)?

• Its usage areas include the cosmetics sector. It is used in small amounts to adjust the pH of a product, keeping the pH stable and bringing it to the desired level.
• It is an extremely important compound in domestic household life.
• Sodium Hydroxide is used as an alkali metal hydroxide in the manufacture of cleaning compositions containing magnesium.
• In the production of black olives, it is used to remove the chemicals that give the olives a bitter taste.
• Sodium hydroxide is widely used in some foods to neutralize acidic properties.
• The most common use in industrial sectors is for neutralizing acids. Additionally, it is actively used in the manufacture of sodium chemicals.
• It is used in analytical applications in the laboratory.
• In the paper industry, it helps in breaking down fibers by utilizing its lignin-binding property. Its usage in this field is very high.
• It is used in the production of bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite), which is most commonly used in households.
• Color fading occurs in exterior cladding products. To prevent this color fading, titanium and titanium alloy compositions are used. For this, the surface must first be cleaned. It is used as a pH stabilizer in these external cleaning compositions.
• It is used as a chemical reagent in soap production.
• In the coating industry, Sodium Hydroxide is used to clean organic pollutants from metal surfaces.
• In biodiesel production, certain catalysts are used depending on the raw material type to ensure the reaction occurs faster and with higher yield. Liquid Caustic is the alkali catalyst used in this application.
• With the development of construction technology, set retarders in concrete production have gained importance. Set retarding additives are produced for this purpose. After the use of a chain transfer agent along with a polymerization initiator, the pH in the polymerization solution is adjusted to 5-6. Liquid Caustic is used for this pH adjustment.
• It is used in drinking water treatment. Salt (NaCl) and Liquid Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) are required for metal oxide-based adsorbents in the medium.
• It is used in mercerizing processes. In this reaction, the mercerizing fibers swell and dissolve.
• It is one of the main raw materials used in the manufacture of some compounds used in the pharmaceutical industry. Especially when used with phenol, salicylic acid is produced.
• It is used in the manufacture of creams used for acne treatment for the decontamination of dead cells.
• It is used in the production of corrosion inhibitors within antifreeze used in internal combustion engines. It significantly prevents the corrosion of aluminum metal.
• Sodium Hydroxide is used as a catalyst in the manufacture of acoustic and thermal insulation materials made with phenol-formaldehyde resins and mineral wool.
• In the production of Cobalt Chloride, it is primarily used in the precursor reaction to obtain Cobalt Hydroxide.
• In the process of smoothing the surfaces of mobile phone and laptop glass, Hydrofluoric Acid is used. Sodium Hydroxide is used to remove this acid from the glass surface.
• It is used in the extraction of aluminum and other metals in some mining sites.
• It is used in the production of seat washing chemicals to dissolve oil and dirt stains.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

The price of Sodium Hydroxide is directly dependent on the prices of the chemicals used in its production. As the price of caustic soda flakes increases, prices will also increase.

Its production is directly dependent on salt prices. This is because salt (NaCl) is used in the production of Sodium Hydroxide.

Prices are directly dependent on industrial production. As industrial production increases, the prices of this chemical will rise. This is because, with the increase in demand for Sodium Hydroxide, the raw material produced will be unable to meet the demand.

Prices vary depending on the stocks of the companies that sell this chemical. As stocks increase, the unit price decreases.