| Safety Data Sheet for Sodium Hydroxide Solution, 30 - 50% |
| 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES |
| Personnel Precautions |
Wear full protective equipment. - See Exposure Controls /
Personal Protection (Section 8). |
| Environmental Precautions |
If spillage or contaminated washings cause contamination of water
courses, drains or vegetation inform relevant authorities. |
| Methods for Cleaning up |
Small spillages - dilute carefully with water.
Large spillages - absorb in earth or sand. Place into containers and dispose of using
licensed waste disposal contractors.
Wash down contaminated area with water. Collect and treat all water used in the clean up,
see Environmental Precautions. |
|
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| 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE |
| Handling |
Wear full protective clothing.
Provide safety showers and eyebaths in areas where accidental exposure is possible.
Certain sugars react with sodium hydroxide in solutions above 1% strength and above 850C
to form carbon monoxide gas. This can be a respiratory and/or a fire hazard, particularly
when cleaning certain dairy equipment. The susceptible compounds include fructose,
galactose, arabinose, levulose, lactose, maltose and dry whey powder. |
| Storage |
Sodium hydroxide solution should
be stored in a closed vessel to avoid moisture absorption and contamination.
Store sodium hydroxide away from reactive materials.
There is a danger of freezing in cold weather and if the product temperature falls below
the given recommendation it may be necessary to heat the product.
Product temperature must not exceed 500C unless mild steel in contact with it
has been stress relieved.
Recommended MINIMUM Storage Temperatures
30% and 47%: 200C
50%: 250C |
| Materials |
UNSUITABLE |
SUITABLE |
| Aluminium |
Mild steel (see storage) |
| Tin |
Stainless steel |
| Zinc and alloys |
Cast iron or steel |
| Lead and alloys |
Nickel |
| Brass |
Rubber |
| Copper alloys |
Epoxy coatings |
|
Certain PVC
(subject to temp. limitations) |
| Polypropylene |
|
|
| 8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL
PROTECTION |
| Personal Protective Equipment |
PVC suit. |
| PVC gloves. |
| PVC or rubber footwear. |
| Chemical goggles. |
| Breathing apparatus where fumes are a problem. |
| Occupational Exposure Limits |
TWA:
STEL: 2 mg/m2 EH40 - 1993 |
| Installation Control |
See Handling and Storage (Section 7). |
|
|
| 9.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES |
| Appearance |
Colourless or grey syrupy
liquid. |
| Density Liquid kg/m3 |
@ 200C 30%: 1328 47%: 1480 50%: 1525 |
| Odour |
Slight, characteristic. |
| Molecular Weight |
40.01g as NaOH 100% |
| pH |
> 14 at 100 g/l water at 200C. |
| Solubility |
Completely soluble in water. |
| Boiling Point 0C |
30%: 1180C 47%: 1400C
50%: 1450C |
| Melting Point 0C |
30%: +10C 47%: +80C
50%: +120C |
| Vapour Pressure |
1.3mbar at 7390C |
| Flash Point |
Not applicable. |
| Flammability |
Not applicable. |
| Auto Flammability |
Not applicable. |
|
|
| 10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY |
| Stability |
Sodium hydroxide if stored correctly will not decompose over time. The product is stable under normal conditions of storage and handling. |
| Conditions to Avoid |
Avoid low temperature storage - see Handling and Storage (Section 7). Avoid high temperatures. |
| Material to Avoid: |
|
| - Water |
Mixture will become warm during initial dilution (exothermic
reaction). |
| - Air |
No dangerous reaction.
Slow absorption of carbon dioxide to form sodium carbonate. |
| - Acids |
Violent reactions. |
| - Bases/Alkalis |
No dangerous reaction. |
| - Oxidising Agents |
A violent reaction with chlorine. Otherwise no dangerous reaction with oxidising agents in aqueous solution. |
| - Hazardous Decomposition Products |
Hydrogen gas may be liberated by contact with certain metals such
as brass, zinc, aluminium, forming an explosive hazard. |
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