sodium hydroxide
A white, translucent, highly deliquescent,
extremely caustic alkali (NaOH), prepared mainly
by the electrolysis of sodium chloride. It is used
in the manufacture of paper pulps, and can also be
used for the rapid degradation of hair and other
epidermal structures of hides and skins. it is
seldom if ever used for this purpose in practical
tannages, however, as it dissolves the hair (which
is commercially valuable) and can severely damage
the collagen of a skin unless very carefully
controlled. Also called "caustic soda." (144 , 306 )
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