Key Properties
- Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
- Concentration: 30% solution by weight
- Appearance: Colorless to slightly cloudy liquid
- Density: ~1.3 g/cm³
- Boiling Point: 1388°C (for solid NaOH; boiling point varies with concentration)
- Solubility: Very soluble in water, exothermic dissolution (releases heat)
- pH: Strongly alkaline (~14 for concentrated solutions)
- Corrosivity: Highly corrosive to metals, skin, and mucous membranes
Main Functions & Applications
Sodium Hydroxide 30% is widely used in the chemical industry for various synthesis and neutralization processes:
Saponification:
Used to make soap by reacting with fats or oils in a process called saponification, where sodium hydroxide breaks down triglycerides to produce soap and glycerol.
Acid Neutralization:
It neutralizes acids in chemical reactions, commonly used in acid-base reactions, to achieve the desired chemical products.
Chemical Synthesis:
Sodium hydroxide is used in hydrolysis, esterification, and other important reactions in the manufacture of detergents, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and fertilizers.
In water treatment, sodium hydroxide 30% is utilized to control pH and remove hardness:
pH Adjustment:
Sodium hydroxide is used to raise the pH of acidic water or wastewater, making it safer for discharge or further treatment.
Water Softening:
It is used in water softening processes to precipitate calcium and magnesium ions, which contribute to water hardness. This makes the water more suitable for industrial and domestic use.
Heavy Metal Precipitation:
Sodium hydroxide is used to remove heavy metals from wastewater by precipitating metal hydroxides, which can be easily removed from the water.
Sodium Hydroxide 30% is widely used as a cleaning agent:
Industrial Degreasing:
Used to remove grease, oil, fat, and organic residues from machinery, industrial equipment, and surfaces in sectors like automotive, food processing, and metallurgy.
Drain Cleaner:
It is a powerful drain cleaner, breaking down organic blockages like hair, grease, and soap scum in plumbing systems.
Cleaning Metals:
Used in pickling and cleaning metal surfaces, especially stainless steel, to remove oxides and contaminantsbefore further processing or finishing.
Oil and Gas Refining:
Sodium hydroxide is used in the desulfurization of natural gas and the refining of petroleum to remove sulfur compounds and other contaminants from crude oil.
Biodiesel Production:
It is used in biodiesel production to transesterify vegetable oils or animal fats into biodiesel, facilitating the conversion of triglycerides into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).
Processing Olives:
Sodium hydroxide is used in the processing of olives, particularly for de-bittering them, which helps in making them more palatable.
Pretzel Production:
Used in the preparation of pretzel dough, giving pretzels their characteristic color, texture, and taste by creating an alkaline environment for baking.
pH Control:
Sodium hydroxide 30% is used to adjust pH in the production of pharmaceuticals, injectables, and other medical formulations.
Chemical Synthesis in Pharmaceuticals:
Used as a base in chemical reactions for manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and other medicinal compounds.
Specs
|
ITEM |
STANDARD |
|
NaOH % |
≥30.0 |
|
Na2CO3 % |
≤0.5 |
|
Fe2O3 % |
≤0.001 |
|
NaCl % |
≤0.03 |
|
Density (20℃) |
1.326-1.330 |
|
Heavy metal (Pb) content |
≤0.0005 |
|
Non-volatile matter content |
≤0.05 |

