Sodium Hydroxide in the Laboratory
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There are many uses of Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory. Sodium Hydroxide is also widely known as Caustic Soda, NaOH and Lye. Its chemical formulation is NaOH. It can be produced as Sodium Hydroxide pellets, Sodium Hydroxide pearl and Sodium Hydroxide flake and has a wide range of uses in the laboratory.
When using Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory it must be remembered that Sodium Hydroxide is a strong alkaline. It is frequently used as a neutralising agent for such processes as waste water treatment. Sodium Hydroxide can also be used as a cleaning agent, especially when mixed with other chemicals. For example, when Sodium Hydroxide is mixed with EDTA for cleaning purposes, the EDTA will remove metallic impurities whilst the sodium hydroxide will dissolve any fats that are present.
As well as using Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory, a frequent use of Sodium Hydroxide is to clean lines after manufacturing runs by pharmaceutical companies. Sodium Hydroxide is also present in many industrial and household cleaning products such as drain cleaner, floor cleaner and oven cleaner, mainly because of its properties to dissolve fats. Trace amounts of Sodium Hydroxide can also be found is household toothpaste.
One of the key features of Sodium Hydroxide or Caustic Soda is that when it comes into contact with water, it produces heat - this is known as an 'exothermic' reaction and has a great many uses in the cleaning processes for which Sodium Hydroxide or Caustic Soda is utilised. When Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory is mixed with other chemicals, then exposed to water, the exothermic heat generated will help to easily dissolve fats, oil, grease, protein-based materials and hair. It is for this reason that Sodium Hydroxide is so effective as a cleaner for cleaning lines and storage tanks, effortlessly removing grease and fat and rendering the lines and tanks clean.
Sodium Hydroxide is classified as 'Corrosive' and when using Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory, in industrial applications or in the home, it must be remembered that the material should be treated with due respect. Safety considerations and potential hazards are listed on the relevant web pages of this website. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be used and this should include eye and skin protection.
When using Sodium Hydroxide in the laboratory, common synonyms which you will encouter are NaOH, Lye, Caustic and Caustic Soda - all these names refer to the same product. For further information on synonyms, please refer to the relevant pages on this website.
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