What is in B&Q's caustic soda?

[Peter Percival]

What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you foolish
boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled "concentrated caustic
soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with an inert filler. If it
was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be labelled just "caustic
soda". Any thoughts?
--
Sorrow in all lands, and grievous omens.
Great anger in the dragon of the hills,
And silent now the earth's green oracles
That will not speak again of innocence.
David Sutton -- Geomancies

[Graham.]

On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:14:34 +0100, Peter Percival
<peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you foolish
>boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled "concentrated caustic
>soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with an inert filler. If it
>was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be labelled just "caustic
>soda". Any thoughts?

Water probably, pure sodium hydroxide is a solid.

I don't follow your logic though, I would expect something described
as "concentrated" to be stronger than the same thing without
"concentrated" in the description.

--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Andy Burns]

Graham. wrote:

> I would expect something described as "concentrated" to be stronger
> than the same thing without "concentrated" in the description.

Would you like to buy some concentrated gold?
Only 2x the price and you can smelt it with 10x its weight of copper to
get 12x the amount of 24 carat gold.

[Tim Watts]

Wouldn't that yield 2.18 carat gold?

--
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Reading this on the web? See:
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[Andy Burns]

Tim Watts wrote:

> On Thursday 19 September 2013 16:05 Andy Burns wrote in uk.d-i-y:
>
>> Graham. wrote:
>>
>>> I would expect something described as "concentrated" to be stronger
>>> than the same thing without "concentrated" in the description.
>>
>> Would you like to buy some concentrated gold?
>> Only 2x the price and you can smelt it with 10x its weight of copper to
>> get 12x the amount of 24 carat gold.
>
> Wouldn't that yield 2.18 carat gold?

<shhh>No, it's special concentrated 264 carat gold</shhh>

[Peter Percival]

Graham. wrote:
> On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:14:34 +0100, Peter Percival
> <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you foolish
>> boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled "concentrated caustic
>> soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with an inert filler. If it
>> was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be labelled just "caustic
>> soda". Any thoughts?
>
> Water probably, pure sodium hydroxide is a solid.

This is solid.

> I don't follow your logic though, I would expect something described
> as "concentrated" to be stronger than the same thing without
> "concentrated" in the description.
>

I wouldn't, though I would expect it to be stronger than the same thing
called "dilute". Suppose you were buying table salt at a supermarket:
wouldn't you expect it just to be called "table salt" not "concentrated
table salt? Sugar, just "sugar", and so on? Washing up liquid might
well be called concentrated meaning that it's got less water in than
stuff not so labelled. But what has "concentrated caustic soda" (solid,
remember) got less of than just "caustic soda"?

Mind you, I might be mad.

[Brian Gaff]

Its probably mixed with that there dark matter the scientists are lookin
for!


Surely if its concentrated it would be in a smaller box. Perhaps it needs
some kind of preservative or knowing how it pongs, perhaps its nice spring
flowers.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Peter Percival" <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:l1f0sc$iom$1...@news.albasani.net...

[The Natural Philosopher]

On 19/09/13 16:24, Peter Percival wrote:
> Graham. wrote:
>> On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:14:34 +0100, Peter Percival
>> <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you foolish
>>> boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled "concentrated caustic
>>> soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with an inert filler. If it
>>> was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be labelled just "caustic
>>> soda". Any thoughts?
>>
>> Water probably, pure sodium hydroxide is a solid.
>
> This is solid.
>
>> I don't follow your logic though, I would expect something described
>> as "concentrated" to be stronger than the same thing without
>> "concentrated" in the description.
>>
>
> I wouldn't, though I would expect it to be stronger than the same
> thing called "dilute". Suppose you were buying table salt at a
> supermarket: wouldn't you expect it just to be called "table salt" not
> "concentrated table salt? Sugar, just "sugar", and so on? Washing up
> liquid might well be called concentrated meaning that it's got less
> water in than stuff not so labelled. But what has "concentrated
> caustic soda" (solid, remember) got less of than just "caustic soda"?
>
> Mind you, I might be mad.
>

bleach fr example, is a solution of IIRC sodoum hypochl;rite in water.
Concentrated bleach is IIRC teh same but with less water.

Typically caustc soda crysals are 'pure' caustic soda plus wahetever
resisue is left from the chemical process used to produce it - i.e.
about 99% plus - again I am rusty here - but I think it absorbs water
from the air etc in 'pure form' - a bit of water


IIRC again you CAN get caustc soda in solition, which is the esame
dissolved in more, or less water. And is therefore less or lesser
concentrated..





--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

[John Rumm]

On 19/09/2013 16:24, Peter Percival wrote:
> Graham. wrote:
>> On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:14:34 +0100, Peter Percival
>> <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you foolish
>>> boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled "concentrated caustic
>>> soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with an inert filler. If it
>>> was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be labelled just "caustic
>>> soda". Any thoughts?
>>
>> Water probably, pure sodium hydroxide is a solid.
>
> This is solid.
>
>> I don't follow your logic though, I would expect something described
>> as "concentrated" to be stronger than the same thing without
>> "concentrated" in the description.
>>
>
> I wouldn't, though I would expect it to be stronger than the same thing
> called "dilute". Suppose you were buying table salt at a supermarket:
> wouldn't you expect it just to be called "table salt" not "concentrated
> table salt? Sugar, just "sugar", and so on? Washing up liquid might
> well be called concentrated meaning that it's got less water in than
> stuff not so labelled. But what has "concentrated caustic soda" (solid,
> remember) got less of than just "caustic soda"?
>
> Mind you, I might be mad.

Perhaps if they are normally in the business of diluting it prior to
sale, they use "concentrated" in the sense of "full fat"


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Phil L]

Peter Percival wrote:
> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you
> foolish boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled
> "concentrated caustic soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with
> an inert filler. If it was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be
> labelled just "caustic soda". Any thoughts?

According to it's data sheet, it's 100% sodium hydroxide.

googling through some other brands sold as caustic soda, their claimed
concentration of NaOH is as low as 60%, which makes B&Q's concentrated in
comparison, although it isn't really, it's just that other companies sell
diluted stuff

[Dave Liquorice]

On Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:14:34 +0100, Peter Percival wrote:

> What is in B&Q's caustic soda?

See if you can find the COSSH data sheet. It ought to be available.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[meow...@care2.com]

On Thursday, September 19, 2013 4:24:26 PM UTC+1, Peter Percival wrote:

> table salt? Sugar, just "sugar", and so on? Washing up liquid might
> well be called concentrated meaning that it's got less water in than
> stuff not so labelled.

You're very optimistic about marketing


NT

[stuart noble]

One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth diluting

[Graham.]

You know how orange juice that is made from concentrate is
reconstituted back to 100% juice?

If it was reconstituted with less water, could it legally be sold as
(say) 110% orange juice?



--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Theo Markettos]

Graham. <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
> If it was reconstituted with less water, could it legally be sold as
> (say) 110% orange juice?

Peperami ingredients: 150% pork.

Theo

[Andy Burns]

Graham. wrote:

> You know how orange juice that is made from concentrate is
> reconstituted back to 100% juice?
>
> If it was reconstituted with less water, could it legally be sold as
> (say) 110% orange juice?

Sausages are apparently allowed to contain more than 100% meat due to
some weight being lost from the ingredients during manufacture ...

<http://www.thelocal.se/32702/20110320>

[Vir Campestris]

That's not diluted, that's impure.

>
> One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth diluting

Sodium chloride at a guess.

Andy

[Peter Percival]

Phil L wrote:
> Peter Percival wrote:
>> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you
>> foolish boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled
>> "concentrated caustic soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with
>> an inert filler. If it was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be
>> labelled just "caustic soda". Any thoughts?
>
> According to it's data sheet, it's 100% sodium hydroxide.

Thank you! It pleases me to know that!

> googling through some other brands sold as caustic soda, their claimed
> concentration of NaOH is as low as 60%, which makes B&Q's concentrated in
> comparison, although it isn't really, it's just that other companies sell
> diluted stuff
>
>

[Peter Percival]

stuart noble wrote:


> One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth diluting

I think sodium chlorate has got a good dollop of fire retardant in it.

[Vir Campestris]

On 19/09/2013 21:43, Andy Burns wrote:
> Sausages are apparently allowed to contain more than 100% meat due to
> some weight being lost from the ingredients during manufacture ...

Go read a jam label :)

Andy

[Weatherlawyer]

Just to clear that up for goodness knows who. 24 carat gold is 100% or pure, concentrated gold. he other stuff contains hardener which also dilutes it.

[Weatherlawyer]

On Thursday, 19 September 2013 21:27:44 UTC+1, Graham. wrote:
>
> You know how orange juice that is made from concentrate is
> reconstituted back to 100% juice?
>
> If it was reconstituted with less water, could it legally be sold as
> (say) 110% orange juice?

Actually when a fruit juice in Britain states it is made from concentrate, it means it is preserved in sugar. What concentration it is restored to is anyone's guess as they don't remove the sugar. Not unless you count diluting it with water.

[Weatherlawyer]

On Thursday, 19 September 2013 19:49:42 UTC+1, stuart noble wrote:
>
> One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth diluting

It wouldn't be sensible or safe. Sodium Hydroxide can fail to dissolve in water. I am not sure of the reasons but it can also boil up all over you -which is the main reason not to use the dry stuff.

[The Natural Philosopher]

In my case is the main reason TO use the dry stuff

tablespoon down into the u bend and a kettle of boiling water: that
clears shit out real fast.

[Jim Hawkins]

Peter Percival wrote:
> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you
> foolish boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled
> "concentrated caustic soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with
> an inert filler. If it was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be
> labelled just "caustic soda". Any thoughts?

Don't get any of it on your fingers - it can do dreadful things to flesh.
If you do get any on your skin, wash it off immediately.

Jim Hawkins

[The Natural Philosopher]

aw shucks apart from eyes it aint THAT bad.. it just burns, but so do
soldering irons.


> Jim Hawkins

[stuart noble]

On 20/09/2013 21:44, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 20/09/13 21:30, Jim Hawkins wrote:
>> Peter Percival wrote:
>>> What is in B&Q's caustic soda? Well, caustic soda of course you
>>> foolish boy! But the reason I ask is that it is labelled
>>> "concentrated caustic soda" which makes me think it may be mixed with
>>> an inert filler. If it was _just_ caustic soda, I'd expect it to be
>>> labelled just "caustic soda". Any thoughts?
>>
>> Don't get any of it on your fingers - it can do dreadful things to flesh.
>> If you do get any on your skin, wash it off immediately.
>>
> aw shucks apart from eyes it aint THAT bad.. it just burns, but so do
> soldering irons.
>
>
>> Jim Hawkins
>>
>>
>>
>
>

It takes time to do any damage. You can dip your hands in it as long as
you rinse them straight away. Just don't get it inside your gloves

[Andy Burns]

Weatherlawyer wrote:

> Andy Burns wrote:
>
>> Graham. wrote:
>>
>>> I would expect something described as "concentrated" to be stronger
>>> than the same thing without "concentrated" in the description.
>>
>> Would you like to buy some concentrated gold?
>

> Just to clear that up for goodness knows who. 24 carat gold is 100% or pure, concentrated gold.

I'm pretty sure everyone here is aware of that, and that I was only
making a point. The weasel word "concentrated" when appearing on
packaging etc, usually means less dilute than before, and is often
accompanied by claims that this removes traffic equivalent to a dozen
2CVs from the road.

[The Natural Philosopher]

You use GLOVES?

[Jim K]

On Friday, September 20, 2013 9:13:42 PM UTC+1, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 20/09/13 19:54, Weatherlawyer wrote:
>
> > On Thursday, 19 September 2013 19:49:42 UTC+1, stuart noble wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >> One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth
>
> >> diluting
>
> >
>
> > It wouldn't be sensible or safe. Sodium Hydroxide can fail to
>
> > dissolve in water. I am not sure of the reasons but it can also boil
> > up all over you -which is the main reason not to use the dry stuff.
> >
>
> In my case is the main reason TO use the dry stuff
>
> tablespoon down into the u bend and a kettle of boiling water: that
> clears shit out real fast.

sounds like a regular occurrence for you
you should eat more fibre...

Jim K

[The Natural Philosopher]

No, I should probably get a divorce...:-)

[stuart noble]

On 21/09/2013 10:43, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 21/09/13 09:33, stuart noble wrote:
>> On 20/09/2013 21:44, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>
>>> aw shucks apart from eyes it aint THAT bad.. it just burns, but so do
>>> soldering irons.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Jim Hawkins
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> It takes time to do any damage. You can dip your hands in it as long as
>> you rinse them straight away. Just don't get it inside your gloves
>
> You use GLOVES?
>
>

Yeah, I'm a bit of a wimp really

[Weatherlawyer]

On Saturday, 21 September 2013 09:45:01 UTC+1, Andy Burns wrote:
> Weatherlawyer wrote:
>
>
>
> > Andy Burns wrote:
>
> >
>
> >> Graham. wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >>> I would expect something described as "concentrated" to be stronger
>
> >>> than the same thing without "concentrated" in the description.
>
> >>
>
> >> Would you like to buy some concentrated gold?
>
> >
>
> > Just to clear that up for goodness knows who. 24 carat gold is 100% or pure, concentrated gold.
>
>
>
> I'm pretty sure everyone here is aware of that,

I'm not:

>> Don't get any of it on your fingers - it can do dreadful things to flesh.
>> If you do get any on your skin, wash it off immediately.

To which some idiot replied:

"It takes time to do any damage. You can dip your hands in it as long as

you rinse them straight away. Just don't get it inside your gloves."

See what I mean?

[dochol...@gmail.com]

On Friday, September 20, 2013 9:13:42 PM UTC+1, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> On 20/09/13 19:54, Weatherlawyer wrote:
>
> > On Thursday, 19 September 2013 19:49:42 UTC+1, stuart noble wrote:
> >>
> >> One wonders what solid would be cheap enough to make it worth
> >> diluting
> >
> > It wouldn't be sensible or safe. Sodium Hydroxide can fail to
> > dissolve in water. I am not sure of the reasons but it can also boil
> > up all over you -which is the main reason not to use the dry stuff.
> >
> In my case is the main reason TO use the dry stuff
> tablespoon down into the u bend and a kettle of boiling water: that
> clears shit out real fast.
>

That's not something I've tried to clear with it - but I can vouch for the fact it dissolves hair - as a friend found when they borrowed a paintbrush without telling me they were about to apply sodium hydroxide paint stripper with it...