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Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, [1] [2] is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations Na + and hydroxide anions OH −. Sodium hydroxide is a highly corrosive base and alkali that decomposes lipids and proteins at ambient temperatures and may cause severe ...
The reaction between sodium hydroxide and some metals is also hazardous. Aluminium, magnesium, zinc, tin, chromium, brass and bronze all react with lye to produce hydrogen gas. Since hydrogen is flammable, mixing a large quantity of lye with aluminium could result in an explosion. Both the potassium and sodium forms are able to dissolve copper.
Potassium hydroxide is a caustic alkali and its solutions range from irritating to skin and other tissue in low concentrations, to highly corrosive in high concentrations. Eyes are particularly vulnerable, and dust or mist is severely irritating to lungs and can cause pulmonary edema . [ 27 ]
Corrosion can also occur in materials other than metals, such as ceramics or polymers, although in this context, the term "degradation" is more common. Corrosion degrades the useful properties of materials and structures including mechanical strength, appearance, and permeability to liquids and gases.
The main types of irritant and/or corrosive products are: acids, bases, oxidizers / reducing agents, solvents, and alkylants. Additionally, chemical burns can be caused by biological toxins (such as anthrax toxin ) and by some types of cytotoxic chemical weapons , e.g., vesicants such as mustard gas and Lewisite , or urticants such as phosgene ...
Although hydrofluoric acid is regarded as a weak acid, it is very corrosive, even attacking glass when hydrated. [20] Dilute solutions are weakly acidic with an acid ionization constant K a = 6.6 × 10 −4 (or pK a = 3.18), [10] in contrast to corresponding solutions of the other hydrogen halides, which are strong acids (pK a < 0).
Hydrogen chloride forms corrosive hydrochloric acid on contact with water found in body tissue. Inhalation of the fumes can cause coughing , choking , inflammation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract , and in severe cases, pulmonary edema , circulatory system failure, and death. [ 26 ]
Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or PAA) is an organic compound with the formula CH 3 CO 3 H. This peroxy acid is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor reminiscent of acetic acid. It can be highly corrosive. Peracetic acid is a weaker acid than the parent acetic acid, with a pK a of 8.2. [2]