Sodium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with chemical formula NaOH. It is called caustic soda because it is highly corrosive in nature. Sodium hydroxide is available in many forms in the industry, and the most common forms are caustic soda flakes and caustic soda pearls. Sodium hydroxide has several industrial applications includes use as a pH regulator in mineral processing, but it is highly reactive, so it has to be used carefully lest, it can cause skin irritation.