Uses and properties of sodium hydroxide

Also known as caustic soda, it can be recognized by its characteristics, such as that it is a white solid with moisture absorption capacities that may be in the air, being its most common uses in its solid form or with a solution of 50 % approximately.

Sodium hydroxide has surprising physical properties, such as when entering a solution with water, it tends to generate really high temperatures, as well as its chemical properties such as its corrosion can also be observed.

The most basic way of obtaining hydrogen is through a caustic process, in which a type of hydroxide is added with a certain sodium compound.

In the industries of the secondary sector of economic activities, its use can be observed very frequently to be able to elaborate a great diversity of products. This compound is very reactive, due to its great instability.

With regard to sodium hydroxide, and the exposure of this in humans, some indicators can be named to know if there is any type of contact with this compound, these are very important to know, because it can cause serious conditions in the body, especially in places such as the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, and by default the respiratory system.

Definition of sodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide can also be found as sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrate, caustic soda and even caustic soda. In chemistry it can be defined by the formula NaOH, this has most of its usefulness in industries as a base, because it is a caustic type hydroxide, with it you can make paper and its derivatives, detergents, among others.

There are many uses for sodium hydroxide, due to its great qualities, such as serving as drain opener, pipes, among others, as well as it can also be seen in the oil industries for the production of muds that are used for water-based drilling.

Chemical properties

This compound has a chemical reaction of hydroxide, from here it derives its respective names "sodium hydroxide". Among the main chemical reactions of this compound are its corrosion level, which is very high, and its exothermic reaction.

Physical properties

When sodium hydroxide is at room temperature it can be seen as a hygroscopic crystalline solid, which means that it has the ability to absorb moisture that may be in the air, this hydroxide turns out to be extremely corrosive.

When sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water or neutralized with an acid, it is capable of generating high temperatures, which can ignite combustible materials. This compound is created through manufacturing, being its most common forms of use in the solid state, and sometimes in solutions with 50% water.

Sodium Hydroxide Reactivity

This compound is incompatible with some substances such as water, all types of flammable liquids, acids, as well as hologenated compounds, as well as some metals such as zinc, tin, and aluminum, which when in contact with themselves is very likely to cause fires.

You can also observe the formation of highly sensitive salts on contact, or some impact, when it is exposed to nitro compounds, such as nitro-methane. You can see the formation of flammable hydrogen gas in it.

There is no condition that contributes to the possible instability of this compound, nor can dangerous products from the decomposition of sodium hydroxide be observed.

Due to the corrosion that this compound presents, exposing some products or materials to it can cause deterioration and irreversible damage, among these products we can mention rubber, plastic, and some coatings.

Ways of obtaining sodium hydroxide

Among the modern methods of Obtaining this compound is by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride or also known as brine, although most of the industries opt for a more classical method that carries out a process called causticisation, which means that some type of hydroxide is combined with sodium. This can be understood as a by-product or a waste left over from chlorine production.

To explain a little how the formation of this compound works, it can be explained as follows, as the electrolysis progresses, the chlorides decompose, being completely replaced by hydroxide ions, which are combined with sodium cations, managing to form thus sodium hydroxide, or sodium hydroxide.

Uses of sodium hydroxide

Among the most important uses that sodium hydroxide can be given is its utility to obtain aluminum from bauxite through the Bayer process, as well as the use of this compound for cooking olives, and some kinds of varieties of it.

It is used to remove old paint from furniture, as well as traditional oil paint remover. It can be found in common products like drain cleaners and oven cleaners.

Between the materials that can be made with sodium hydroxide They are paints and petroleum derivatives, crayons, soap, some kinds of explosives, paper, their presence can also be observed in processes such as laundry and bleaching, oxide coating, for the processing of cotton textiles, electrolytic extraction and electroplating.

Consequences of exposure

Exposure to this compound can have serious consequences to the health of any person, because it has very strong corrosive properties that can cause from mild irritation to really harmful chemical burns.

The most easily exposed routes are the respiratory tract, the tissues referring to the skin, the eyes, and sometimes the digestive system due to possible ingestion. The following are the risks that can be caused by overexposure to sodium hydroxide.

• Ingestion: When ingesting this compound, it can result in a total damage to the digestive system, due to its high corrosive levels it could even burn the intestinal walls, causing severe damage to them, as well as in less strong occasions, poisoning can be observed.
• Eyes: Eye exposure can cause severe corneal burns, and in more severe cases partial or even complete blindness.
• Skin: it can cause skin corrosion, and even ulcers, as well as minor irritations, or severe burns.
• Inhalation: In mild cases, minor nasal irritations may be seen, although when overexposed, whereby large amounts of sodium hydroxide are inhaled, severe burns can be seen in the respiratory tract, probably leading to death.

Great care must be taken when operating in plants where this compound is treated, due to its high levels of corrosion, since it can cause conditions such as those seen in the previous part, and in order to treat them it is necessary to wash the exposed areas with abundant water, drink a lot of water in case of ingestion, and in extreme cases go to a medical center as soon as possible.