Description and application of caustic soda
Caustic soda perfectly copes with all kinds of pollution, corrodes organic matter. It is produced in the form of a powder, in which you can see small crystals and white flakes.
Composition
The caustic soda formula shows that it consists of oxygen, sodium and hydrogen (NaOH). It is alkali. In nature, this substance does not occur in its pure form. It is produced industrially from common table salt.
The norm is considered to be indicators of caustic soda from 98.5%. Caustic soda is also available in liquid form. For transportation, bags or special containers are used.
Important! Deciding to use caustic soda for household needs, it is important to take precautions. Solid caustic soda generates heat when it interacts with water.
Caustic soda properties:
- Easily soluble in water and alcohol solutions;
- Does not dissolve in acetone and ethers;
- Reacts with tin, zinc, aluminum;
- Caustic soda is a non-flammable substance, the boiling point is 1390 degrees;
- Molten caustic soda can break glass;
- Flammable by reaction with ammonia.
How it works
The principle of operation of caustic soda is extremely simple: getting on a greasy surface, it corrodes dirt. Moreover, this is equally true for things on which greasy spots are "planted", as well as for sewer pipes, on the walls of which fatty deposits are formed.
The main thing is that caustic soda "lasts" in the contaminated area for a little time. Then it is washed off with plenty of water.
Application
The applications for caustic soda are surprisingly diverse:
- In the production of shampoo and detergents, and also used in industrial washing. This is due to the fact that the caustic soda solution is soapy in nature. This fact was appreciated several centuries ago.
- For the neutralization of acids and acid oxides in the chemical industry. Soda plays the role of a reagent or catalyst in these processes.
- Plays an important role in the production of pure metals, as well as in the etching of aluminum.
- In the manufacture of biodiesel fuel. Such fuel is a worthy alternative to conventional diesel, but it is made from vegetable oils.
- For food preparation: both for washing vegetables and in industrial processes such as making cocoa, chocolate and ice cream. Caustic soda is also used to color caramel.
- In cosmetology: under the influence of caustic soda (in appropriate proportions), the skin is renewed, and warts and papillomas are also removed.
- Yet the most common home use of caustic soda is to remove dirt and blockages.
Caustic soda is indispensable for various areas of our life. And although caustic soda cannot be called absolutely harmless, if precautions are taken, it effectively copes with the tasks assigned to it and can be safe.
VIDEO: Cleaning the sewage system with caustic soda.
