KOH

[Dreamstepper]

Two questions:

If SWIM were to order bulk KOH online, would it attract the same kind of attention as a bulk NaOH order?

And are 90% pure KOH flakes usable to basify with? According to the certificate of analysis the majority of the other ~10% is made up of carbonates and insolubles.

 

[prey]

I'm not an expert in this area, but I would highly suggest not buying KOH online at all.

Try to find a soap supply store in your area.

A lot of soap makers buy caustic a few months before christmas because it takes a long time for the soap to cure properly. That is the time that will arouse the least amount of suspicion.

I personally think you are better off putting off your purchase until you are able to go in person to a soap making supply store. Make sure you research soap making and don't just buy caustic, get glycerine and other low cost items such as borax powder.

A foaf has used KOH flakes, the kind used for soap making. They dissolve much much much faster than NaOH beads and they seem to prevent emulsions better than NaOH.

 

[ChemicalEudaemonia]

People order 50lb sacks of NaOH all the time. It has many legit uses and I've never heard of someone being questioned. It is a good idea anyway to keep all your suspicious items hidden out of sight or categorized into their commercial uses, just in case some asshole gives you shit. Lye is good for cleaning drains, washing dishes, making your own unscented soap, or stripping aluminum metals.

90% KOH should be fine. None of that stuff will transfer into the solvent anyway unless it has some associative properties. When SWIM uses chems from different sources that are of questionable grade he will first test solubility with his solvent and then evaporate it to determine if it is.