Caustic soda

Basic Information

CAS:1310-73-2

HS:2815120000

Color, Odor, State: White translucent flakes or granules

Density: 2.13

Corrosivity: Strong

Boiling Point: 1390°C

Hygroscopicity: Strong

Melting Point: 318.4°C

Acidity/Alkalinity: Strongly alkaline

Deliquescence: Highly deliquescent; absorbs water vapor and carbon dioxide from air to form sodium carbonate.

Solubility: Freely soluble in water (exothermic upon dissolution), forming an alkaline solution with a bitter taste and slippery texture; soluble in ethanol and glycerol.

Application

1. Used in papermaking, soap production, dye manufacturing, rayon production, metal smelting, petroleum refining, cotton fabric finishing, purification of coal tar products, as well as food processing, woodworking, and the machinery industry.

2. Used in chemical experiments. Beyond serving as a reagent, its strong hygroscopicity and deliquescence also make it suitable as an alkaline desiccant.

3. Capable of absorbing acidic gases (e.g., in experiments where sulfur burns in oxygen, sodium hydroxide solution can be placed in a bottle to absorb toxic sulfur dioxide).