Potassium hydroxide

Model NO.: HQ-03

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Product Description

Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)

1. Product Overview

Potassium hydroxide, also known as caustic potash, is a versatile and essential chemical product with the chemical formula KOH (CAS No. 1310-58-3). It is available in both solid (flakes, pellets, or blocks) and liquid forms, with varying concentrations to suit different industrial applications. As a strong inorganic base, KOH plays a critical role in numerous chemical processes across multiple industries.

2. Chemical and Physical Properties

Property	Value
Chemical Formula	KOH
Molecular Weight	56.11 g/mol
CAS Number	1310-58-3
Appearance	White, deliquescent solid flakes or pellets; colorless to pale yellow liquid
Purity	Industrial grade (≥90%), Food grade (≥95%), Electronic grade (≥99.5%)
pH Value	Strongly alkaline (1% solution pH ≈ 13.5)
Solubility	Highly soluble in water (121 g/100 mL at 25°C), alcohols, and glycerol; insoluble in ether
Density	Solid: 2.04 g/cm³; Liquid (45% solution): ~1.45 g/cm³
Melting Point	360°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point	1320°C (decomposes)

Key Characteristics

Hygroscopic nature: Absorbs moisture rapidly from the air, becoming tacky and eventually dissolving
High thermal stability: Maintains its structure at elevated temperatures
Strong base properties: Reacts readily with acids, releasing significant heat during neutralization
Corrosive: Can damage skin, eyes, and various materials including metals and glass

3. Product Specifications and Quality Standards

Grade Classifications

Grade	Purity	Typical Applications
Industrial Grade	≥90%	Chemical synthesis, fertilizers, cleaning agents, dyes
Food Grade	≥95% (complies with GB 25575)	Food additives (acidity regulator), oil saponification
Electronic Grade	≥99.5%	Semiconductor cleaning, lithium battery electrolytes, photovoltaic cell manufacturing
Reagent Grade	≥99.9% (ACS/USP standards)	Laboratory analysis, pharmaceutical intermediates

International Standards Compliance

Chinese Standards: GB/T 1919-2014 (Industrial Grade), GB 25575-2010 (Food Grade)
American Standards: ASTM E291, USP-NF (Pharmaceutical Grade)
European Standards: EP (European Pharmacopoeia), REACH regulations

Impurity Control Limits

Impurity	Industrial Grade Limit	Electronic Grade Limit
Chloride (Cl⁻)	≤0.1%	≤10 ppm
Sulfate (SO₄²⁻)	≤0.05%	≤5 ppm
Iron (Fe)	≤50 ppm	≤1 ppm
Heavy Metals (as Pb)	≤30 ppm	≤0.5 ppm

4. Production Processes

Main Production Methods

Membrane Electrolysis (Primary Process)
- Raw Material: Potassium chloride (KCl) solution
- Reaction: 2KCl + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂↑ + Cl₂↑ (electrolysis)
- Characteristics: Low energy consumption, high purity (up to 99.9%), environmentally friendly (byproduct chlorine can be recycled)
Diaphragm Electrolysis
- Suitable for low-purity requirements, lower cost but higher impurity content
Concentration Processes
- Liquid KOH: Electrolyte concentrated to 45%-50% solution through evaporation
- Solid KOH: Further evaporation and drying to produce flakes, pellets, or molten blocks

5. Key Applications

Chemical Industry

Production of potassium salts (potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, etc.)
Synthesis of dyes, rubber, and polyester resins
Alkaline cleaning agents (degreasing, oil removal)

Battery Manufacturing

Electrolyte for alkaline batteries (nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride)
Lithium-ion battery electrode material processing

Agriculture

Soil pH adjustment
Production of potassium fertilizers (e.g., potassium nitrate)

Pharmaceutical and Food Industries

Pharmaceutical intermediates (e.g., penicillin potassium salt)
Food acidity regulator (E525)

Electronic Industry

Semiconductor wafer cleaning
Photovoltaic cell etching

Daily Chemicals

Soap and shampoo manufacturing (saponification reaction)
Cosmetic pH adjustment

6. Safety and Handling Considerations

Hazards

Corrosive: Severe burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract
Exothermic Reaction: Releases significant heat when mixed with water or acids
Reactivity: Reacts with certain metals (aluminum, zinc) to produce flammable hydrogen gas

Safety Precautions

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) : Chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and lab coat
Ventilation: Ensure proper workplace ventilation to avoid inhaling fumes
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from acids and metal powders
Handling: Use caution to prevent splashing; avoid contact with skin and eyes

First Aid Measures

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse with water for at least 15 minutes
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult
Ingestion: Rinse mouth and seek medical attention immediately

7. Packaging and Transportation

Packaging Options

Solid KOH: 25 kg bags (polyethylene inner lining, woven outer bag) or 1-ton bulk bags
Liquid KOH: Tank trucks (30-35 tons) or 200 kg plastic drums

Transportation Requirements

Classified as UN 1813 (solid) and UN 1814 (liquid) hazardous materials
Must be labeled with"Corrosive Substance"warning signs
Avoid mixing with acids, oxidizing agents, or incompatible materials during transport

8. Quality Assurance

Our potassium hydroxide products meet the highest industry standards with strict quality control measures throughout the production and supply chain. We provide comprehensive documentation including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Certificates of Analysis (COA), and compliance reports to ensure product consistency and performance.

For more information or to request a quote, please contact our sales team.