Caustic Potash Flakes KOH

Our high purity caustic potashis also referred to as membrane, mercury, rayon, or low-salt grade product.  The product has the same KOH concentration as standard grade but has lower levels of impurities such as salt and iron.  This high purity product typically sells at a higher price than standard grade product and therefore is used in those applications that require the lower levels of these key components.

Disclaimer:

Potassium Hydroxide, or Caustic Potash, is very strong and caustic ingredient. It is something that should be handled with extreme care. We recommend having supervision and wearing appropriate protective (i.e. full arm gloves, eyewear, respirators, etc.) when using. This products needs to be kept Far away from children. Make sure you don’t have any allergies to the product and that you are using pure ingredients. Pregnant women should consult with a physician before handling.

Please keep in mind that by pressing the order button below you are agreeing to the fact that you are over 18 years of age and are using this KOH for Soap Making or another legal use.

Potassium hydroxide, also known as Caustic Potash or Lye, is a product that is used in the creation of soap, detergent, paper, textiles and drinking water. It is a chemical base and comes packaged as a white solid flakes.

Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) – Uses and Benefits

Physical properties: Potassium hydroxide is a white solid with a density of 2.12 g/mL, a melting point of 360 °C, and boiling point of 1,327 °C. It is typically available as translucent pellets, or as aqueous solutions of different concentrations.

Chemical properties: KOH is a highly hygroscopic solid which absorbs water from air, thus making it a useful laboratory desiccant (drying agent). It is very stable thermally (does not decompose even at high temperatures). It dissolves in water to form strongly alkaline, aqueous KOH solutions called potassium lye. It readily reacts with acids to form a variety of potassium salts, which have many uses in industry.

Uses: Potassium hydroxide is used in many of the same applications as sodium hydroxide. In addition, aqueous KOH is used as the electrolyte in alkaline batteries. It is also used to manufacture soft soaps and liquid soaps by saponification. Many industrially useful potassium salts are prepared by reaction with KOH. Some of the other uses of KOH are in chemical manufacturing, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, and cleaning solutions.

Health effects/safety hazards: KOH is a strong and corrosive base, which can penetrate skin and tissues. Skin or eye contact with KOH solutions can cause burns, severe irritation, and even blindness. Inhalation of this corrosive base can damage the mucous membranes and lungs. If swallowed, it is extremely toxic and can lead to permanent tissue damage and be fatal.