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Caustic soda has the formula NaOH. When mixed in water it dissolves into the ions Na+ and OH-.

The OH- -ion can pull hydrogen ions H+ out of other substances, and the OH- will then bind to the H+ and make water H2O. Thereby two effects can be achieved.

- An acidic compund dissolved in the water or in contact with it will be neutralized.

- More complex compounds can be fragmented and dissolved because bindings are broken by that process. Thereby caustic soda can be used for rinsing processes.

The caustic soda will work until all OH- is used up, if there is less of the caustic soda than of the compound to be neutrailzed. If there is more caustic soda than the other compound it will not stop working. So the answer depends upon the amount of caustic soda and of the other component to be neutralized.

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12y ago

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Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, will remain effective as a strong base in water until it is neutralized by an acid or chemically reacts with another compound. Its effectiveness can vary depending on the concentration used and the specific application.

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9mo ago
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Q: How long will caustic soda work when mixed in water?
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