Sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda or lye) is a highly caustic base and alkali that decomposes lipids and proteins at ambient temperatures and may cause severe chemical burns. It is highly soluble in water and forms a basic solution. It is used in paper manufacture, textile processing, drinking water purification, and soap making.
We use strictly-necessary cookies to run the site (for example, to keep you logged in) and, if you agree, optional analytics cookies to understand how the site is used. No third-party trackers, no ads. See our cookie policy.