Caustic Cleaners

Caustic cleaners have been in existence for millenia. In fact, evidence of soap fragments found in ancient dwellings has been dated to around 2800 BC! Industrial ingredient supplier Bell Chem stocks a variety of caustic cleaners, such as CSAN 2170 Caustic Blend (Proprietary Blend) for your cleaning needs.

These types of cleaners contain caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, or caustic potash. Most caustic cleaners are utilized to remove protein-based debris. These chemicals are defined by their ability to dissolve other substances – think of bleach, which contains sodium hydroxide. Caustic cleaners are generally sold as solids in a granular, pellet, or flake form, or as a concentrated liquid.

With their ability to significantly change the pH of the areas they contact, caustic cleaners are often used as disinfectants. Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses, and endotoxins are virtually eradicated with caustic cleaners. Here are some of the common uses:

Caustic cleaners are used worldwide within industries such as hospitals, restaurants, food and beverage industries, and processing plants.
Oven cleaners and drain cleaners often contain caustic chemicals where they hydrolyze solid fats and act as a reagent as they cause a chemical reaction called saponification. The chemical bonds of protein-based products are broken apart to quickly remove them from solid surfaces or industrial machinery.
Industrial plants that focus on meat-packing rely heavily on caustic cleaners to maintain their machinery and keep their workplaces clean. Caustic cleaners are effective and efficient, saving money and resources.
Hand soap contains either sodium hydroxide (commonly referred to as “lye”) or potassium hydroxide as a main ingredient. Sodium hydroxide creates a harder bar soap while potassium hydroxide produces a creamy, liquid soap.

Because of their power, caustic cleaners also have risks. Use caution with caustic cleaners; the ability to break down proteins causes them to irritate the skin and mucous membranes, meaning they can produce severe burns on the skin and, when inhaled, in the lungs. Always use properly fitting goggles when handling any caustic chemicals since eye irritation could lead to blindness. Read all chemical labels and MSD guides to fully understand the proper handling and use of caustic cleaners and all other chemicals.

Bell Chem is an industrial ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including CSANTM sanitation products. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Monique Day 7/6/20 Monique Day 7/6/20

Industry Uses of Caustic Soda

It seems contradictory that a highly toxic, crystalline, alkaline chemical such as sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda and lye) is a main ingredient in traditional hand soaps. Such is the case with caustic soda, or NaOH. This strong, odorless, water-soluble, inorganic compound has industrial uses from textiles to foods and beverages. Read below to find how industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem’s pure caustic soda can benefit your industry.

Alumina
During the Bayer process of production, caustic soda catalyzes the refining of bauxite to the product alumina, which eventually becomes aluminum. Also, strong bases will ultimately destroy aluminum, so during any etching, caustic soda erodes specific areas. Likewise, caustic soda transforms a polished aluminum surface to a satin-smooth finish.

Biodiesel
Anhydrous caustic soda catalyzes the transesterification of methanol and triglycerides.

Cement
The plasticity of cement mix brought about by caustic soda homogenizes the ingredients and decreases the amount of water necessary to spread the product.

Chemical Intermediary
As a strong base, varying strengths of caustic soda easily regulate many chemicals and their reactions.

Cleaning
When caustic soda is added to water and heated, it is a powerful cleaner for process equipment and storage tanks. Glass and stainless steel soaked in caustic soda clean much more rapidly. Many oven cleaners contain caustic soda as an ingredient.

Detergents and Soaps
Cold process soap-making (saponification) was a traditional use of caustic soda. The product, lye soap, is still created today in small markets. Its ability to destroy proteins, fats, oils, and grease give caustic soda a leading role in removing stains from hands as well as industrial textiles.

Foods and Beverages
Fruits and vegetables are cleaned and chemically peeled with caustic soda. Other uses include the processing of cocoa and its products, scalding poultry, increasing ice cream viscosity, and soft drink processing. Caustic soda softens olives and, in contrast, is used in the glaze of pretzels and hard rolls to make them crisp and shiny.

Paper and Pulp
An astonishing 25% of all caustic soda manufactured around the world is utilized in the paper industry. Caustic soda alters plant tissues, such as the separation of lignin from cellulose in the kraft process of paper manufacture. As pulp is purified, the second role of caustic soda is noted: it bleaches the resulting brown pulp into the white slurry that we recognize as paper.

Petroleum Refineries
Caustic soda increases alkalinity and viscosity in bentonite mud systems as it neutralizes acidic gases that rise from the earth with drilling.

Water Treatment
Increasing the pH in water supplies protects plumbing from corrosion and reduces the amount of dissolved toxic metals. Caustic soda also takes on this role of pH adjuster in water treatment systems.

Bell Chem is your industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products, such as caustic soda, stocked in its 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.