Caustic soda is stronger than soda ash. ... Caustic soda has the advantage of mixing to a clear solution, but it costs more than soda ash and generates a considerable amount of heat when it's mixed with water. Soda ash always leaves a residue at the bottom of the container.
Sodium carbonate [497-19-8] (Na2CO3), molecular weight105.99. Chemical purity is more than 99.5% (mass fraction), also called soda, but classified as salt, not alkali. International trade is also known as soda or soda ash. It is an important organic chemical material, mainly used in the production of plate glass, glass products and ceramic glaze. It is also widely used in daily washing, acid neutralization and food processing.