SODIUM HYDROXIDE

SODIUM HYDROXIDE, COMMONLY KNOWN AS CAUSTIC SODA OR LYE, IS A STRONG ALKALINE COMPOUND USED WIDELY IN THE MANUFACTURING OF SOAP, CLEANING PRODUCTS, AND IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT IN THE SAPONIFICATION PROCESS, WHERE IT REACTS WITH FATS AND OILS TO PRODUCE SOAP. SODIUM HYDROXIDE ALSO HAS APPLICATIONS IN WATER TREATMENT AND AS A pH ADJUSTER IN COSMETICS. IT MUST BE HANDLED WITH CARE DUE TO ITS HIGHLY CORROSIVE NATURE.