Important Things You Ought To Know About Chemicals

By Author: Jo Alelsto
Total Articles: 405
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The importance and value of chemicals can be dated back in the war epoch, where countries used chemical agents as measures of defense. During the early 1870s, chemicals were seen as valuable products. Reports show that the value of chemicals during that time amounted to $47 million yearly. And as years pass by, the importance of chemicals and their uses have grown exponentially. This has remarkably eliminated the negative uses of chemicals.

Today, almost anything found at home are produced with chemical components in it. From household to car products, chemicals are the primary components that make them valuable and useful to mankind.

To learn more about the different uses of certain chemicals, it is best that you know what these chemicals are first. In this way, it will be easier for you to identify which chemical should be used for certain purposes.

Here's a list:

1. Acetic acid

Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is the main component of vinegar that is why it has its sour taste and strong smell. However, even if this substance can be found in food items like the vinegar, ...
... it is still classified as corrosive or those substances that cause damage to skin tissues. In fact, simply inhaling the vapors from acetic acid is enough to cause irritation in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

Then again, compared to other forms of acids, acetic acid is considered to be weak because at regular conditions for pressure and temperature the dissociated acid appears in balance with the not dissociated forms in aqueous solutions.

The main value of acetic acids can be found in industrial applications. It is considered as an important chemical reagent especially in the production of certain products such as photographic films, soft drink bottles, and wood glue.

Acetic acid is also used as additives in food production. Using the food additive code E260, this type of acid is used as regulators or those that maintain or alter the acidity or basicity of an element or simply the pH balance.

2. Caustic soda

This type of substance is classified as a caustic metallic base or a strong base usually applied in the industry. Caustic means having the ability to burn, corrosion, damage, or cause chemical burns. However, it remains important in the industry as it is the most extensively used industrial alkali.

Technically known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), caustic soda is widely used in the production of soap. This type of chemical substance has the ability to decompose oils and fats, releasing glycerol and blending with fatty acids.

3. Chloroform

This particular substance has many uses. It can either be used as a solvent or substance that facilitates the extraction of soluble compounds from a mixture or as a reagent or the substance that can cause reactions when added to a system.

The main value of chloroform can be found in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning or HVAC industry. This substance is the main component of a common refrigerant used in air conditioning, the R-22. However, because of this chemical, potential damage to the environment has already taken place. Hence, in the HVAC industry, another form of refrigerant is already being promoted to replace R-22 in the market. The R410-A is considered as environmentally friendly product.

Chloroform can also be used to make a person or animal unconscious. If you have seen the latest version of King Kong, they have used chloroform to knock down this huge beast.

These are just some of the widely used chemicals in the industry. However, in spite of their advantages, great care should always be implemented on their use and management to avoid injuries and serious casualties.
Jo is an author and publisher for ‘ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd' (http://www.reagent.co.uk), a well-known UK based chemical firm that creates, stocks and sells a huge variety of premium chemical products including specialty chemicals, analytical laboratory chemicals} and solid chemicals. If your company is looking for high quality organic solvents for instance acetone or has other industrial compound needs for applications similar to chemical mixture, analytical purposes and cleaning then take a look at ReAgent Chemical Services Ltd.