Types of Solvents and their Applications- Part 2
What are solvents?
Subject: Types of Solvents and their Applications
The most widely used industrial solvents are cements (trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene), adhesives (toluene, ethyl acetate and various ketones), thinner (mineral spirits, benzene, acetone trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene) and paint or varnish remover (acetone, toluene, benzene, dichloromethane).
Solvents are a heterogeneous group of volatile hydrocarbons derived from oil and gas whose boiling point is low so that they evaporate on contact with air.
Their importance and usage pattern determine their classification: active solvents, co-solvents, latent solvents and diluents.
| Solvent | Characteristics | Uses and Applications |
|
Methanol |
Colorless liquid, characteristic odor, soluble in acetone and esters. Dimly-burning flame, miscible in water in all proportions. |
Used as an industrial solvent; in the manufacture of formaldehyde, methyl acetate and plasticizers; as additives for gasoline; as a solvent in the manufacture of cholesterol, streptomycin, vitamins and hormones; as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol. In general industry, used as a solvent in making lacquers, films, plastics, soaps, textiles, artificial leather, paint removers, varnish, and antifreeze solutions |
|
Isopropanol |
Colorless liquid with odor characteristic of alcohol, similar to ethanol but more toxic, substitute for alcohol in cosmetic preparations, significant as a lacquer solvent and preservative |
Used in liniments, lotions, hair tonic, hair permanent wave preparations, extraction solvents, antifreeze, liquid soaps, cleaners and paint thinners; in the production of glycerol, ethyl acetate, acetone, resins, organic synthesis, etc. |
|
Naphtha |
Colorless liquid, aromatic, slightly soluble in water. |
Used as a solvent for paints; diverse industrial uses, such as a cleaner in dry cleaning. |
|
Deodorized Naphtha |
Colorless liquid, aromatic, slightly soluble in water. |
Used as a solvent for paints; in shoe polishes and various industrial applications. Used primarily as the cleaner in dry cleaning. |
|
White Gasoline |
Colorless liquid with a petroleum odor, insoluble in water |
Used primarily as a solvent for alkyd enamels, asphalt, paints and natural resins; as a cleaning agent and degreaser; as a solvent for grease and oils. Functions primarily as a fuel. |
|
Heptane |
Colorless liquid with odor characteristic of gasoline, soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform |
Used as a substitute for hexane in the extraction of oils and in the elaboration of laboratory reagents; as a solvent for paints and the paper industry; as an anesthetic; in the preparation of thinners and adhesives; as a standard for determining the octane in gasoline; as a solvent for sealers and inks. |
|
Hexane |
Flammable liquid, volatile and colorless, component of gasoline and petroleum, light aromatic odor, soluble in alcohol, acetone and ether |
Used especially as a vegetable oil extractor; to perform polymerization reactions; as a paint thinner; as a solvent in the preparation of thinners; as denatured alcohol; as a raw material for organic synthesis; in the development of thinners |
|
Tetrachloroethylene |
Colorless liquid with characteristic odor |
Used as a solvent for degreasing metals; in dry cleaning; in the manufacture of soap |
|
Methylene Chloride |
Volatile liquid, colorless, pleasing sweet smell, slightly soluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents; in practical terms, not flammable or explosive in conditions of normal use |
Used primarily as a solvent in the removal of paint and varnish during manufacturing; other applications include the manufacture of agrochemicals and domestic cleaning aerosols |
|
Butyl Cellosolve |
Colorless liquid with characteristic mild odor, one of the glycol ethers with a high boiling point, widely used as a retardant solvent for lacquers and leveler for color film, completely soluble in water |
Used as a solvent for nitrocellulose resins, spray lacquers, quick-drying lacquers, varnishes; used in textiles to prevent stains from weaving or imprinting; as a solvent for mineral oils; for suspension of soaps in a solution to help improve the emulsifying properties; in general, as an inert solvent, retardant thinner, and coupling agent. |
|
Standard Thinner |
Colorless liquid with petroleum odor, insoluble in water. |
Used primarily as automotive paint thinner; in sealants; in lacquers for wood and primers; for cleaning and degreasing mechanical parts, carburetor cleaning, etc. |
Providers of Solvents
We are pleased to present Grupo Solquim, a provider of solvents:
Grupo Solquim, has extensive experience in the sale and distribution of petrochemicals, with a team of a hundred employees collaborating in three specialized divisions: Solvents, Polymers and Auto-transportation: Our guarantee is to always give you the highest quality in products and services.
The Solvents Division, founded in 1982, offers a wide range of solvents and chemical products. Also, as an authorized distributor for Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Group Solquim represents the only national-level company that offers the PEMEX lines of polymers and solvents. In addition, a complete line of imported products is also offered.
View the Profile, Products, Address and Phone Number for Grupo Solquim.
Or, contact Grupo Solquim directly to request more information about their solvents by clicking above on the solvent type in which you are interested.
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