Safety data for sodium hydroxide


General

Physical data

Appearance: odourless white solid (often sold as pellets)
Melting point: 318 C
Boiling point: 1390 C
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure: 1 mm Hg at 739 C
Specific gravity: 2.12 g/ml
Flash point: n/a
Explosion limits: n/a
Autoignition temperature:

Stability

Stable. Incompatible with a wide variety of materials including many metals, ammonium compounds, cyanides, acids, nitro compounds, phenols, combustible organics. Hygroscopic. Heat of solution is very high and may lead to a dangerously hot solution if small amounts of water are used.

Toxicology

Very corrosive. Causes severe burns. May cause serious permanent eye damage. Very harmful by ingestion. Harmful by skin contact or by inhalation of dust. Typical TLV 2 mg m-1.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
IPR-MUS LD50 40 mg kg-1

Irritation data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
EYE-MKY 1%/24h sev
SKN-RBT 500 mg/24h sev

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R35.

Transport information

UN Major hazard class 8.0. Packing group II. UN No 1823. EMS No 8.0-06.

Personal protection

Safety glasses, adequate ventilation, Neoprene or PVC gloves.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S26 S37 S39 S45.

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This information was last updated on April 6, 2001. We have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, but can take no responsibility for its use, misuse, or accuracy. We have not verified this information, and cannot guarantee that it is up-to-date.