Caustic Soda

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strongly alkaline compound which is used in the manufacturing of chemicals and soaps and in petroleum refining. Sodium hydroxide is also called caustic soda or lye. An alkali, caustic soda is widely used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, and detergents. Pure sodium hydroxide is a white solid that is available in pellets, flakes, granules, and also 50% saturated solution.

Worldwide production in 1998 was around 45 million tonnes. Sodium hydroxide is also the most common base used in chemical laboratories, being able to test for quite a number of cations (this is called Qualitative Inorganic Analysis), as well as to provide alkaline mediums for some reactions that need it, such as the Biuret test.