1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

The common name for potassium hydroxide [KOH]. Caustic potash is used in potassium-based water muds to increase pH and alkalinity and to help maintain the K⁺ ion concentration. As the name implies, it is highly caustic and gives off heat when dissolved in water. Caustic potash is hazardous to use without proper training and equipment.

See: caustic soda,  chemical barrel,  hardness ion,  potassium mud,  salt,  water mud