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Send EmailBead Caustic, Caustic Soda Bead, Caustic Soda Pearl, Caustic Soda Prill, 1310-73-2
CAUSTIC SODA BEADS (Sodium Hydroxide - NaOH)
1. IDENTIFICATION
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Sodium Hydroxide |
| Trade Names | Caustic Soda Beads/Pearls, White Caustic, Solid Caustic |
| Chemical Formula | NaOH |
| CAS Number | 1310-73-2 |
| EINECS Number | 215-185-5 |
| UN Number | 1823 (solid) |
| GHS Classification | Corrosive – Class 8 |
2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White, round beads / granules |
| Molecular Weight | 40 g/mol |
| Density | 2.13 g/cm³ (20°C) |
| Melting Point | 318°C |
| Boiling Point | 1,388°C |
| pH (1% solution) | >13 |
| Solubility in water (20°C) | ~1,090 g/L (highly soluble) |
| Solubility (others) | Partially soluble in ethanol/methanol; insoluble in ether |
| Hygroscopicity | High (absorbs moisture and CO₂ from air) |
| Corrosion property | Affects glass, porcelain, aluminum, zinc, tin |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mmHg (at 739°C) |
3. TYPICAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
| Component | Typical Ratio |
|---|---|
| NaOH (purity) | 98% – 99.5% |
| Na₂CO₃ | ≤ 0.8% |
| NaCl | ≤ 0.1% |
| Fe₂O₃ | ≤ 0.005% |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.7% |
4. REACTION WITH WATER (CRITICAL WARNING)
EXOTHERMIC REACTION
NaOH + H₂O → Heat (≈ 44 kJ/mol released)
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Temperature can rapidly rise to 50–90°C during dissolution
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NEVER ADD WATER TO CAUSTIC – violent boiling and splashing hazard
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ALWAYS ADD CAUSTIC TO WATER (slowly, with stirring)
5. APPLICATIONS BY INDUSTRY
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Drain cleaner, industrial grease remover, oven cleaner, surface degreaser |
| Soap & Detergent | Saponification (fat + NaOH), dirt solubilizer in detergents |
| Food Processing | Olive debittering, fruit/vegetable peeling (potatoes, tomatoes), food additive E524 |
| Textile | Mercerization of cotton (luster, strength, dye affinity) |
| Pulp & Paper | Lignin removal (pulp production), de-inking (recycling) |
| Water/Wastewater | pH adjustment, heavy metal precipitation (as hydroxides) |
| Petrochemical | Removal of sulfur and acidic components |
| Metal Treatment | Degreasing and derusting, pre-treatment for galvanizing |
| Biodiesel | Catalyst in transesterification |
| Chemical Synthesis | Production of sodium cyanide, dyes, various organic/inorganic chemicals |
6. COMPARISON WITH OTHER FORMS (Beads vs Flake vs Liquid)
| Property | Caustic Beads | Caustic Flakes | Liquid Caustic (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dusting | Very low | High | None |
| Flowability | Excellent (ball-like) | Poor (caking tendency) | – |
| Moisture resistance | High | Low | – |
| Dosing accuracy | High | Medium | High (by pump) |
| Dissolution rate | Controlled | Very fast (risky) | Instant (already dissolved) |
| Shipping cost | Low (dry) | Low | High (water transported) |
| Storage | Bags/bags, dry warehouse | Bags/bags | Stainless steel tank |
| Shelf life | Long (if sealed) | Medium | Unlimited (proper conditions) |
| Automation suitability | Excellent | Poor | Excellent |
7. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND HEALTH HAZARDS
7.1 Health Risks
| Exposure Route | Effect | First Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Skin contact | Severe burns, tissue damage, deep ulcers | Wash with plenty of water for 15–20 min, seek medical attention |
| Eye contact | Permanent vision loss, corneal damage | Rinse with water (eyelids open), immediate emergency medical care |
| Inhalation | Respiratory tract irritation, burning, edema | Move to fresh air, oxygen if breathing difficulty |
| Ingestion | Mouth, esophagus, stomach perforation | Do NOT induce vomiting! Drink 1–2 glasses of water, immediate medical help |
7.2 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
| Equipment | Type / Specification |
|---|---|
| Gloves | Nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber (thick) – latex not suitable |
| Eye protection | Chemical splash goggles + face shield |
| Body protection | Chemical resistant apron / coverall |
| Respiratory protection | P2/P3 particulate mask (dusty environments) |
| Footwear | Chemical resistant steel-toe work boots |
7.3 Storage Conditions
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 10–30°C |
| Humidity | Below 50% (dry environment) |
| Ventilation | Well-ventilated |
| Packaging | Original, tightly closed (absorbs moisture) |
| Incompatible materials | Acids, aluminum, zinc, tin, organic peroxides |
| Fire extinguishing | Water spray, dry chemical (CO₂, dry sand) |
8. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| UN Number | 1823 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Hazard Label | Class 8 (Corrosive) |
| Marine (IMDG) | UN 1823, Class 8, PG II |
| Air (IATA) | UN 1823, Class 8, PG II |
| Shipping temperature | Ambient, dry conditions |
9. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
| Property | Information |
|---|---|
| Aquatic toxicity | Toxic to aquatic organisms due to high pH (>50 mg/L) |
| Bioaccumulation | None |
| Degradability | Inorganic, not biodegradable |
| Neutralization | Neutralize with dilute acid (HCl, H₂SO₄) |
| Waste disposal | After neutralization, can be discharged to sewer (check local regulations) |
10. REGULATORY INFORMATION
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EU (CLP) : H314 – Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
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Turkey (MoEU) : Registered under KKDIK
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GHS P-statements : P260, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P305+P351+P338, P310
11. SHELF LIFE AND DEGRADATION
| Condition | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Sealed original packaging | 2 years (minimum) |
| Open packaging (dry environment) | 3–6 months |
| Open packaging (humid environment) | 1–4 weeks (carbonation and moisture absorption) |
Signs of degradation: Caking, color change (white to grayish), damp/dull appearance, weight increase
12. OTHER NAMES
| Name | Context |
|---|---|
| Sodium Hydroxide Beads | Chemical formal name |
| Caustic Soda Pearls | Commercial name |
| Lye | Soap making, food processing |
| Drain Cleaner | Common household name |
| Solid Caustic | To distinguish from liquid form |
CONCLUSION: Caustic soda beads (NaOH) offer high purity, minimal dusting, excellent flowability, and good moisture resistance. They are preferred over flake or liquid forms in automated systems, precision dosing applications (soap, textile, food), and facilities prioritizing worker safety. However, they are highly corrosive; always use proper PPE and never add water to caustic.
