Sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, or lye, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaOH. It is a white

solid and highly caustic metallic base and alkali salt which is available in pellets, flakes, granules, and as prepared solutions at a

number of different concentrations.Sodium hydroxide forms an approximately 50% (by weight)saturated solution with water.

Sodium hydroxide is soluble in water, ethanol and methanol. This alkali is deliquescent and readily absorbs moisture andcarbon

dioxide in air.

Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper,textiles,

drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. Worldwide production in 2004 was approximately 60 million tonnes,

while demand was 51 million tonnes.

Caustic soda usages:

caustic soda is widely used in a variety of industrial that the normal usage of caustic

soda for industry including: chemical processing (40%), pulp and paper manufacturing

(17%), water treatment (5%), alumina production (8%), soaps, detergents, textile

processing (12%), and miscellaneous (25%).