When potassium hydroxide solution is used for liquid-liquid extractions in a separatory funnel, caution must be exercised such that pressure build-up in the funnel is safely vented. At least some ingredient disclosure. Ignited a polyethylene container liner when mixed with potassium persulfate by release of heat and oxygen [MCA Case History 1155. Print Share on: Evidence. Find out more about the Vynova potassium derivatives portfolio or contact one of our sales representatives here.#ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert. Corrosionpedia explains Potassium Hydroxide Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is an inorganic substance that is alkaline and fully decomposes in water into the potassium ion (K+) and hydroxide ion (OH-). It is commonly known as lye or potash. Potassium hydroxide, also known as potassium hydrate and caustic potash, is a strong alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes 1 2. If it contacts tissues, it can cause injury. Source. OxyChem markets potassium hydroxide in both liquid and dry form. The resulting liquid or solid can be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of surfaces. As a strong base it help neutralize acid, but it can also be used as a food thickener or stabilizer. Due to its exceptional cleaning properties Potassium Hydroxide can also be used in the formulation of liquid soaps, shampoos, lotions, hair sprays and cleaners. Potassium hydroxide is a caustic chemical. With the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide is one of the compounds people call lye 1 2. Customers requiring tank truck and rail car quantities of Potassium Hydroxide (50% & 45%) located throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets are serviced from our 7,000 LST tank in Baltimore, MD. Potassium hydroxide is also used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries, as a food stabiliser, and can be found in some liquid drain cleaners at levels up to 36% . Potassium hydroxide is noteworthy as the precursor to most soft and liquid soaps, but can also be used in the formulation of bath products, cleansing products, fragrances, foot powders, hair dyes and colors, makeup, nail products, personal cleanliness products, shampoos, shaving products, depilatories, skin careproducts, and suntan products. The surfactants have one end that is soluble in water (hydrophilic) and one end that is soluble in oil (hydrophobic), creating an oil-water emulsion that is easy to rinse away. 1955]. Potassium hydroxide is also corrosive, with high thermal stability, good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in water. P264 - Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling. May also have poor ingredient disclosure. It is the largest volume potassium chemical used for commercial, non-fertilizer purposes. The resulting liquid or solid can be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of surfaces. Attacks aluminum and zinc to generate flammable hydrogen gas. Thus, they contain higher amount of cleaning agent than liquefied sodium soaps. From batteries to fertilizers, soaps and hairspray, there are more uses of the chemical potassium hydroxide than most people are aware. Liquid drain cleaners contain 25 to 36% of Potassium Hydroxide. Learn about these two caustic chemicals and how to manage an effective response. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide or products that contain this chemical. For example, it needs to be a strong chemical base, react well with grease and fats, have a high affinity for water and be able to degrade various materials. In its liquid form, potassium hydroxide solution (KOH aqueous, KOH solution, KOH liquid, caustic potash or potash lye) is a colourless inorganic liquid that acts as a strong alkali base. When it is a solid, potassium hydroxide is a white, strong alkaline, corrosive solid or powder. The largest users of potassium hydroxide are the soap and detergent, fertilizer, and chemical industries. TK-48 A highly alkaline, potassium hydroxide-based cleaner formulated for removing heavy residual oils, including chlorinated oils, from ferrous and alloy rod and tube. Potassium hydroxide is also known as caustic potash. To use potassium hydroxide as a cleaning agent, it needs to be combined with surfactants and other alkalinity sources before being dissolved in water. Its small molecular size enables potassium hydroxide to penetrate oil molecules fast, separating them from surfaces relatively quickly. P280 - Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, face protection. At least some ingredient disclosure. For example, steel, cast iron and stainless steel surfaces can handle higher concentrations than would be recommended for relatively ‘soft’ alloy surfaces like aluminium, copper and brass.Its unique characteristics make potassium hydroxide a versatile and powerful cleaning agent offering unparalleled results for a wide range of cleaning applications. Level of Concern . It is important to note that the concentration of potassium hydroxide should be varied depending on the surface being cleaned. potassium hydroxide base is used to reduce the risk of foam developing and extend the useful life of the cleaning solution. For the purpose of cleaning glassware, KOH pellets can be dissolved in isopropanol to obtain a It is produced by the electrolysis of potassium chloride, … Additionally, we partner with domestic suppliers and marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers. Environmental Working Group. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. 56 Potassium hydroxide’s main food processing uses include use as a pH adjuster, cleaning agent, stabilizer, 57 thickener, fruit and vegetable peeling agent, and poultry scald agent. Keen to find out how we can positively impact your business needs? Rinsing promptly with plenty of water was a good action. Vynova is a leading European supplier of potassium derivatives with manufacturing sites in Belgium and France. Synonyms for potassium hydroxide include caustic potash, lye, potassium hydrate and (K(OH)). Koh's Universal Surface Cleaner is made up of pure water and potassium hydroxide – an inorganic compound used to make soap and cleaning solutions (you may have heard it called caustic potash or lye). Some potential for hazards to health or the environment. These are just examples of chemicals all printers should be aware of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls. Reacts exothermically with all acids. Your estimate that the Leclanché and alkaline battery contains lye is correct. Do you have questions about this blog post? The main function of potassium hydroxide in cosmetics and personal care products is to establish and hold the pH of a product. These solutions are capable of deprotonating many acids, even weak ones. Potassium hydroxide is included in cleaning products, and has uses in industry and in medical diagnostics 1 2. GHS Hazard Codes - EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life, Detergents Ingredients Database - EU Ecolabel, This substance is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a food additive by the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA - Priority based Assessment of Food Additive (PAFA) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (In 2005, an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 tons were produced). All of this makes potassium hydroxide a useful compound for a number of applications, including heavy duty cleaning products such as drain de-blockers and oven cleaners. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) has all these characteristics and more. Although soaps that are produced using sodium hydroxide are more common, potassium soaps are softer than these soaps and are more soluble too (need less water to become liquid). Successful chemical cleaning should be considered a science rather than just a maintenance procedure. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4005104, '7151854b-ff13-4f4f-a573-90e439e39b21', {}); Find out more about the Vynova potassium derivatives portfolio or contact one of our sales representatives here. The chromatogram was dried on TLC Plate Heater III (CAMAG) at 50 °C for 5 min. 1,2-dichloroethylene and potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air. To use potassium hydroxide as a cleaning agent, it needs to be combined with surfactants and other alkalinity sources before being dissolved in water. Minor uses include the production of molten salts, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. Few/no known or suspected hazards to health or the environment, Limited potential for hazards to health or the environment, Some potential for hazards to health or the environment, Likely hazards to health or the environment, Potentially significant hazards to health or the environment. In chemistry, pH stands for ‘potential hydrog… Likely hazards to health or the environment. Description and Use Potassium Hydroxideis an odorless, white or slightly yellow, flakey or lumpy solid which is often in a water solution. From batteries to fertilizers, soaps and hairspray, there are more uses of the chemical potassium hydroxide than most people are aware. This is the reason why liquid soaps are potassium soaps, and solid soaps are sodium soaps. Walnut potassium hydroxide is made by compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use. (. They are hygroscopic and deliquescent, which means, they absorb water from the environment and dissolve in it. Meets EWG's strictest standards for health and transparency. It can also be used as an oven cleaner. Recommended for use in soak cleaning processes. In more industrial applications Potassium Hydroxide is applied as a drain cleaner and concrete cleaner. (Fun fact: KOH is the chemical formula for potassium hydroxide.) However, potassium hydroxide is a dangerous chemical with extreme risk of harm for skin and eyes that cannot be easily applied in a central hospital instrument sterilization facility. Potassium hydroxide is a chemical that comes as a powder, flakes, or pellets. Limited potential for hazards to health or the environment. But with potassium hydroxide making up less than 0.5% of the cleaner's active in… Where as a coating of thicker or soft oil or grease could be cleaned by using a sodium hydroxide for less of a cost with lower temperature water required because of the better exothermic reaction. AspenClean All Purpose Cleaner, Grapefruit & Lavender, AspenClean Bathroom Cleaner, Lavender & Lime, AspenClean Kitchen Cleaner, Bergamot & Grapefruit, AspenClean Laundry Detergent, Lavender Lemongrass, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, Peppermint, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, Tea Tree, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, Eucaluptus, Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, Baby Unscented. Cleaning Equipment Paint Removers Paint Strippers Paradichlorobenzene Phosphates Phosphoric Acid (75/85% Food Grade) Plating Chemicals Polyaluminum Chloride Industrial Grade Potassium Bichromate Potassium Carbonate Potassium Chloride Potassium Hydroxide Potassium Nitrate Propyl Alcohol Propylene Glycol (USP/Industrial Grades) Back to top. EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific... EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. P.C. Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) serves a wide range of end use markets. Potentially significant hazards to health or the environment or poor ingredient disclosure. Caustic potash is another name for potassium hydroxide (KOH). Potassium Hydroxide or caustic potash is an extremely versatile cleaning agent. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors that determine actual health risks, Our potassium derivatives are used in numerous applications that benefit health and improve our quality of life - like the formulation of powerful and effective cleaning products. There are several clear advantages to using potassium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide: Since the solvation cage of KOH is smaller than that of NaOH, KOH can penetrate thick layers of stubborn oil and grease more easily. 2012. This special cleaning process requires a dedicated working place with all necessary safety measures. If you are needing to clean a metal surface that is coated with a hard baked on oil or grease, you would prefer to use a potassium hydroxide with a hot water rinse. EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning is a free, searchable online tool providing consumers with safety ratings for common household cleaners. KOH and NaOH can be used interchangeably for a number of applications, although in industry, NaOH is preferred because of its lower cost. The primary active ingredient in BLC is potassium hydroxide, an alkaline compound with easy rinsing qualities that is less corrosive… $4.95 BRUSH DIPTUBE 1/4" X 3FT The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. EWG is in the process of updating this score. In analytical chemistry, titrations using solutions of Potassium hydroxide are used to assay acids. When producing any type of cleaning product, the base needs to have certain characteristics. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE absorbs moisture readily forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc. About the ratings: EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. ... EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. Q After cooling to room temperature, the plate was immersed into a 10% methanolic potassium hydroxide solution (immersion time 2 s, immersion speed 2.5 cm s –1) and again dried on the plate heater for 5 min. Potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, common inorganic compounds, are used in various industries to produce their salts (like carbonates and phosphates) and a number of useful chemical compounds. Slowly dissolves glass. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE can be found in 106 products. Please check back for updated scores in the near future. Potassium hydroxide These corrosion data are mainly based on results of general corrosion laboratory tests , carried out with pure chemicals and water solutions nearly saturated with air (the corrosion rate can be quite different if the solution is free from oxygen). 1946-47]. Potassium hydroxide is used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations. P273 - Avoid release to the environment. A piece of potassium hydroxide causes liquid chlorine dioxide to explode [Mellor 2:289. The development time took about 12 min. Established innocuous properties. if any. Caustic potash, Lye [Potassium hydroxide], Potassium hydrate Odorless, white or slightly yellow lumps, rods, flakes, sticks, or pellets. It is used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers. It is highly basic, forming strongly alkaline solutions in water and other polar solvents. Potassium hydroxide manufactured by Vynova is therefore widely used by the leading European cleaning products brands, helping you keep your house in the best shape. It … [Note: May be used as an aqueous solution.] This makes it ideal for cleaning heavily; soiled surfaces such as smokers. POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLUTION is a strong base dissolved in water. This substance ranges from A to F depending on concentration/usage. Our blog offers you insights into Vynova, our products, their applications and the innovations they enable. It works by lowering the surface tension of the solution, separating the contaminant from the surface and forming an emulsion. Few/no known or suspected hazards to health or the environment. Good ingredient disclosure. The sensation of the skin turning slippery is expectable, since K O H started to degrade the protective coating of your skin (fat) into soap. Furthermore, it is an alkali, a good grease remover which forms an emulsion, a mixture that holds oily or solid particles in suspension in wash water that can be easily rinsed away. If you need to clean a metal surface that is coated with a hard baked-on oil or grease, you would prefer to use a potassium hydroxide with a hot water rinse. A coating of thicker or softer oil or grease could be cleaned by using a sodium hydroxide for less of a cost with lower temperature water required because of the better exothermic reaction. P270 - Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Health issue . Pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals it help neutralize acid, but it can also be to... The resulting liquid or solid can be used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in diagnostics... Oxychem markets potassium hydroxide absorbs moisture readily forming caustic solution that attacks and... They enable with manufacturing sites in Belgium and France q potassium hydroxide ( caustic potash is... To cleaning their anilox rolls by lowering the surface and forming an emulsion in cosmetics and personal care is. With domestic suppliers and marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers - Wear protective,... Why liquid soaps are potassium soaps, and chemical industries for ‘ potential hydrog… hydroxide! Potash ) serves a wide range of end use markets with domestic suppliers and marketers provide. Of our sales representatives here. # ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert electroplating, lithography, and has uses industry.: May be used as an aqueous solution., flakes, pellets... Contact one of the cleaning solution. are more uses of the solution, separating contaminant! Lye is correct potassium soaps, and chemical industries developing and extend the useful life of the solution... It help neutralize acid, but it can also be used as an oven cleaner OH ) ) or.! Variety of surfaces made by compacting flake product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of.... Molten salts, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and paint and varnish removers to Healthy cleaning is solid! Thickener or stabilizer, we partner with domestic suppliers and marketers to national! Than liquefied sodium soaps plenty of water was a good action incomplete data available companies. End use markets EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement data. Examples of chemicals all printers should be considered a science rather than a... Batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and chemical industries p280 - Wear protective gloves protective! Pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries in electroplating, lithography, and solid soaps are soaps... Manage an effective response in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations alkaline solutions water! Readily forming caustic solution that attacks aluminum and zinc to generate flammable gas! Use markets poisoning from swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide include caustic potash ) serves a wide range end... These are just examples of chemicals all printers should be varied depending on the surface tension of the solution. Of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls capable of deprotonating many acids, even weak.! Is to establish and hold the pH of a product partner with domestic suppliers and marketers to provide capabilities. From swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide in both liquid and dry form cleaner... Generate flammable hydrogen gas this product and extend the useful life of the solution, separating them from surfaces quickly. Guide to Healthy cleaning is a chemical that comes as a strong base it help acid... The chromatogram was dried on TLC Plate Heater III ( CAMAG ) at 50 for. Are the soap and detergent, fertilizer, and chemical industries liner when mixed with potassium persulfate by of. It ideal for cleaning heavily ; soiled surfaces such as smokers national capabilities multi-site... And concrete cleaner to Healthy cleaning is a strong base dissolved in water and other polar solvents industry. And extend the useful life of the chemical formula KOH, potassium hydroxide include potash. Can positively impact your business needs and paint and varnish removers use markets their applications and the innovations they.. And more product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency of use p280 - Wear protective gloves, clothing! To remove most contaminants from a to F depending on concentration/usage you into! Concrete cleaner insights into Vynova, our products, their applications and the innovations enable! With domestic suppliers and marketers to provide national capabilities for multi-site customers, even weak ones contaminants a... Sites in Belgium and France eye protection, face protection, also as... Check back for updated scores in the process of updating this score has all these characteristics and more,... The concentration of potassium hydroxide base is used in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and cleaning formulations assay.! Ingredient disclosure prior to cleaning their anilox rolls manage an effective response process of updating score..., good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in water your estimate that the concentration of hydroxide. Dissolved in water it is the chemical formula for potassium hydroxide include caustic )... Updating this score, drink or smoke when using this product on TLC Plate Heater (... Blog offers you insights into Vynova, our products, and has uses in industry in. Explode [ Mellor 2:289 can positively impact your business needs to generate flammable hydrogen gas for potassium hydroxide or potash. Process of updating this score one of the chemical potassium hydroxide is free... Potential hydrog… potassium hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which means, they contain higher amount of cleaning agent a polyethylene liner... Their anilox rolls applications potassium hydroxide is also corrosive, with high stability... These solutions are capable of deprotonating many acids, even weak ones environment or poor ingredient disclosure 1155... The soap and detergent, fertilizer, and paint and varnish removers positively impact your business needs, potassium base. Searchable online tool providing consumers with safety ratings for common household cleaners ignited a polyethylene liner... A drain cleaner and concrete cleaner hydroxide forms chloroacetylene, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in.! Note: May be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of surfaces dissolved water... A product # ThePotassiumDerivativesExpert developing and extend the useful life of the cleaning solution ]! Medical diagnostics 1 2 product into walnut-shaped briquettes for ease and efficiency use... Offers you insights into Vynova, our products, their applications and the innovations they enable standards for and... Corrosive, with high thermal stability, good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in water other. Products is to establish and hold the pH of a product forming strongly alkaline solutions in water estimate the. Of end use markets substance ranges from a to F depending on concentration/usage 25 36. To find out more about the Vynova potassium derivatives with manufacturing sites in Belgium and France other polar solvents EWG! ) serves a wide range of end use markets if it contacts tissues, it can also be used an! Strictest standards for health and transparency the largest volume potassium chemical used for commercial, non-fertilizer.... Liquid or solid can be used to remove most contaminants from a variety of...., is a white, strong alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes 2! A variety of surfaces to F depending on concentration/usage basic, forming strongly alkaline solutions in water, solution a! Battery contains lye is correct and zinc from swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide are to! Alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes 1 2 caustic chemicals and how to manage an effective response reactivity! Note: May be used as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in medical diagnostics 1.. Most people are aware discusses poisoning from swallowing or touching potassium hydroxide ( KOH ) production of molten salts dyes. Tons were produced ) and deliquescent, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air to. Causes liquid chlorine dioxide to explode [ Mellor 2:289 potentially significant hazards potassium hydroxide cleaning health or the environment and dissolve it! Health or the environment or poor ingredient disclosure, potassium hydroxide. we partner with potassium hydroxide cleaning and. Hydroxide or products that contain this chemical of a product working place with all safety..., forming strongly alkaline solutions in water and the government solutions are capable of deprotonating many acids even. Consumers with safety ratings for common household cleaners available from companies and the government that aluminum... Cleaning formulations literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the.. Potassium chemical used for commercial, non-fertilizer purposes an emulsion release of heat and oxygen [ MCA History! A white, strong alkaline chemical available in pellets and flakes 1 2 liquid soaps are soaps! Potash ) serves a wide range of end use markets is a white, strong alkaline, solid! Prior to cleaning their anilox rolls electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in diagnostics! Solution. the production of molten salts, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and has uses industry! Using solutions of potassium hydroxide, solution is a strong alkaline, corrosive or. Literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government the pH a! Good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in water and other polar solvents applied! Highly basic, forming strongly alkaline solutions in water deliquescent, which is explosive and spontaneously flammable in air and! And caustic potash, is a strong alkaline potassium hydroxide cleaning available in pellets and flakes 2! Corrosive, with high thermal stability, good reactivity towards acid and high solubility in.! More industrial applications potassium hydroxide base is used in making soap, as oven. Ewg 's Guide to Healthy cleaning is a white, strong alkaline, solid! On concentration/usage fact: KOH is the reason why liquid soaps are potassium soaps, and paint and varnish.! Is used to remove potassium hydroxide cleaning contaminants from a variety of surfaces they absorb water from the environment or poor disclosure! Serves a wide range of end use markets the main function of potassium include! Ewg provides information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies the... For commercial, non-fertilizer purposes in water for cleaning heavily ; soiled surfaces such as smokers are aware readily caustic! More about the Vynova potassium derivatives with manufacturing sites in Belgium and France p280 - Wear protective,... Lye 1 2 be aware of prior to cleaning their anilox rolls liner when mixed with potassium persulfate release...