Industry Grade 90% Potassium Hydroxide CAS 1310-58-3

What is potassium hydroxide? What are the uses of non-industrial and non-food grade potassium hydroxide?

What is Potassium hydroxide?

Potassium hydroxide, also known as caustic potassium or potassium ash, is one of the most important strong bases and a crucial raw material in the fields of daily chemicals and testing. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

KOH (CAS No.: 1310-58-3, EINECS No.: 215-181-3, molecular weight approximately 56.11)

It is a white, flaky, granular, or rod-shaped solid at room temperature, odorless, with a melting point of approximately 360℃, a boiling point of approximately 1320℃, and a relative density of approximately 2.04. It is extremely soluble in water (approximately 112g/100mL at 20℃) and releases a large amount of heat. Its aqueous solution is strongly alkaline (pH can reach 13-14). Potassium hydroxide is highly hygroscopic, readily absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide from the air, thus deliquescing and forming potassium carbonate. It is usually produced by the electrolysis of potassium chloride solution.

KOH consists of potassium ions ( K + ) and hydroxide ions ( OH- ) , ionically bonded . The hydroxide ion is a very strong proton acceptor, so it can very quickly neutralise acids and can react with oils and fats to produce saponification reactions. In cosmetics, this reaction is used to create mild potassium soap cleansing products. In testing, it is the standard base to use in acid-base titrations. The same molecule, different roles in different scenarios.

Potassium hydroxide is highly corrosive chemically and can cause severe burns to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. When it dissolves, it emits heat violently, reacts quickly with acids, slowly eats glass, and reacts with metals such as aluminium and zinc to release hydrogen gas. Store it in a sealed, moisture-proof container, away from acids and reactive metals, and handle it under strict protective measures.

Non-industrial and non-food grade potassium hydroxide refers to products intended for daily chemical and testing applications, rather than large-scale industrial or food processing. These primarily include cosmetic and reagent grades. Compared to industrial and food grades, these products place greater emphasis on the following indicators:

Content (purity)

Cosmetic and reagent-grade formulations require high content of key ingredients , as the content determines the effectiveness of the formulation and the accuracy of the reaction.

Heavy metal limits (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)

Cosmetic grade products must meet the requirements for heavy metals in the Cosmetic Safety Technical Specifications, while reagent grade products require low impurity background, which are key indicators for ensuring safety.

Potassium carbonate content

Potassium hydroxide readily absorbs carbon dioxide from the air to form potassium carbonate. The carbonate content affects the purity and must be strictly controlled.

Chlorides & sulphates

Impurities such as chlorides and sulphates must be kept within standard limits to ensure product purity and formula compatibility.

Water insoluble matter

Aqueous solution should be clear and transparent, free from mechanical impurities, i.e. the reaction system and the formulation should be clean.

What are the uses of Potassium hydroxide?

1. Personal care

( 1 ) Potassium hydroxide is saponified with animal and vegetable oils to produce potassium soap (soft soap, liquid soap), which is used in the production of liquid hand sanitizer, dishwashing liquid, shower gel and Castilian soap. It is a classic saponification alkali in the daily chemical washing industry.

( 2 ) Potassium hydroxide is also used as a pH adjuster in cosmetic formulations to help adjust the acidity and alkalinity of products and improve skin feel. It is a mild alkaline raw material in daily chemical formulations.

2. Alkalization treatment of cocoa powder

Food-grade potassium hydroxide is used for the alkalization of cocoa powder (Dutch process). Through alkaline treatment, the color (deeper), flavor (smoother), and solubility and dispersibility of cocoa powder are improved. It is an important processing step in the chocolate and baking industries.

3.Food acidity regulators

Potassium hydroxide is used as an acidity regulator in GB 2760 (in appropriate amounts as needed for production) for pH adjustment in beverages, dairy products and processed foods to help improve taste and stabilize quality. It is also a food additive in EU E525.

4. Alkaline peeling and processing of fruits and vegetables

Potassium hydroxide is used in the alkaline peeling process of fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and peaches. It utilizes strong alkali to soften the layer between the peel and the flesh to achieve efficient peeling and is widely used in the production of potato chips, canned goods, and sauces.

5. Noodle product processing

Potassium hydroxide can be used to adjust the alkali in noodle processing, making products such as alkaline noodles and ramen, which helps improve the gluten network, texture and color. It is a modern application of traditional noodle making techniques.

6. Processing of pickled foods such as olives

Potassium Hydroxide is used for treatment of olives and other fruit with alkali to remove bitterness and ripen them. It helps improve the taste and colour of pickled foods and serves the olive oil and pickled olive industries.

7. Food processing aids (cleaning and peeling)

Potassium hydroxide is used as a CIP alkaline washing processing aid for food equipment and containers, and is also used in alkaline peeling processes for fruits and vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes to help efficiently remove fruit peels and achieve clean production and process hygiene requirements.

8. Potassium salt and fine chemical synthesis (core application)

Potassium hydroxide is a core raw material for the production of potassium salts such as potassium carbonate, potassium permanganate, potassium phosphate, potassium citrate, potassium formate, and potassium aluminate. It is also the alkali used in the synthesis of many fine chemicals and is the "mother raw material" of the potassium chemical industry.

9. Alkaline battery electrolyte

Potassium hydroxide is a major component (25-40% concentration) of alkaline zinc-manganese battery electrolyte and provides high ionic conductivity and excellent low temperature discharge performance. It is widely used in everyday alkaline batteries such as remote controls, toys and flashlights. It is a core material in the battery industry.

10. Fertilizers and agricultural chemicals

Potassium hydroxide is used to produce water-soluble potassium fertilisers and agricultural chemicals, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium nitrate, which provide crops with fast-acting potassium nutrition and serve efficient agriculture and drip irrigation fertilisation systems.

11. Water Treatment and Gas Absorption

It is used as a pH adjuster and as an absorbent for acidic gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide in gas purification, exhaust gas treatment, industrial water treatment and chemical reactions.

12. Electroplating and Surface Treatment

Potassium hydroxide is used as an alkaline medium and as a cleaning agent for electroplating and metal surface treatment. It is used for the preparation of plating solutions, degreasing and metal surface treatment, and is an important chemical raw material in the surface engineering industry.

13. Drain cleaner

Potassium hydroxide is one of the main ingredients in drain cleaners and strong cleaners. It is used to unblock pipes by breaking down grease and hair with strong alkali. It may be found in drain cleaning products used in our bathrooms and kitchens.

14 . Analytical Chemistry Reagents (Reagent Grade)

Potassium hydroxide is a standard alkali reagent in acid-base titration and volumetric analysis. It is used in preparing standard solutions, to determine acidity and to study neutralisation reactions . It is a commonly employed reagent in a number of analytical methods and is widely used in analytical laboratories.

15 . Scientific Research and Laboratory Applications (Research Grade)

Potassium hydroxide is utilised in organic synthesis as well as inorganic reactions and materials chemistry research . It is used as an alkaline catalyst and reaction medium in a variety of chemical reactions, and serves academic research and technological development.

16. Custom synthesis and fine chemical research and development

Potassium hydroxide can be used to customize and synthesize potassium salts, ester saponification products, and alkaline system products, serving the research and development of fine chemicals and the development of new daily chemical products. It is a basic alkaline raw material in the research and development stage.

Summarize

Potassium hydroxide (KOH, CAS No. 1310-58-3) is a white, flakey or granular strong alkali, melting at about 360°C. It is very soluble in water, and evolves much heat. It is made by electrolysis of potassium chloride and has strong alkaline and potassium source properties. You find it in everyday products such as liquid soaps and facial washes, cosmetics and personal care items, testing and laboratory analysis, research and teaching labs, and industrial supply chains. In the non-industrial and non-food applications, potassium hydroxide (pure cosmetic grade and reagent grade) is widely used in saponified cleansing products , cosmetic pH adjustment, acid-base titration analysis, scientific research experiments, teaching demonstration and custom synthesis. It is an important "strong alkali chemistry" potassium alkali bridge with "daily chemicals, testing, scientific research".