caustic soda

[johnakay]

does caustic soda loose its strength once its contaminated.
I mix some up about 5 ltrs. poured it in the silencer (silencer started to get warm)but started to leak at the bottom so emptied it out into a container . reused it the next day was much muck in it.
poured it in the silencer it remained cold(not leaking).
does it have to get warm for it to work?
suppose to be good stuff not the rubbish you normally get in a small tub.

Lye - Caustic Soda / Sodium Hydroxide 1kg - Resealable Bag

 

[Seadog]

Any chemical reaction is more effective with heat involved. The alkali will lose its effectiveness if there is any chemical reaction involved. IT sounds as though the concentration you used was sufficient to clear the muck that came out. Try some fresh solution.

 

[winchman]

Caustic works much better when heated, not sure about the contamination bit

 

[PhillipM]

It heated the first time from the reaction when you mixed it with the water.