Methyl Soyate as a Petroleum and Chlorinated-Based Solvent

Petroleum-Based Solvents

Petroleum-based solvents are products derived from crude oil while chlorinated-based solvents are derived from chlorine.  A few examples of such products include mineral spirits, stoddard solvent, petroleum naphtha, trichloroethane, trichlorethylene, benzene, and xylene.  The main concerns centered around these solvents revolve around their environmental and health impacts. Both petroleum-based and chlorinated-based products are highly flammable and are also toxic if inhaled.  Due to the reuse of the product being a hazard, all product must be disposed of which is cost-inefficient and impacts the environment negatively. Chlorinated solvents especially contaminate used oil which results in costly disposal of the solvent and the contaminated oil.  Since both of the products evaporate quickly, more product will need to used which results in wasted product.

Why switch to Methyl Soyate?

Methyl Soyate, or soy methyl ester, is produced from reacting soybean oil and methanol.  Due to it being derived from a renewable oil, Methyl Soyate is also renewable and completely biodegradable.  Methyl Soyate is also low in toxicity for both handling purposes and within the environment. The product is also low in VOC compare to other products within paints, coatings, and cleaning solvents.  Methyl Soyate is a non-ozone depleting chemical with low flammability compared to chlorinated and petroleum products. Methyl Soyate is also compatible with other organic solvents which allows for less contamination to occur.  Methyl Soyate is also low-cost due to its availability compared to biodiesels. The product has the ability to replace:

–       Mineral Spirits,

–       Methylene Chloride,

–       Trichloroethylene,

–       Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK),

–       Toluene, and

–       d-Limonene.

These other chemicals are found in wide range of products from paint strippers, cleaners, adhesives, degreasers, and carrier solvents for coatings and adhesives.

Methyl Soyate Applications

Methyl Soyate is found in several cleaning solvents and products ranging from consumer use to industrial use.  One of the most beneficial uses for Methyl Soyate is for its use in the removal and recovery of spilled crude oil.  The EPA also designated Methyl Soyate as a “Full Green Circle” safer chemical ingredient which awards biobased manufacturers a Safer Choice label if they use methyl soyate.  The range of products methyl soyate can be found within are listed below:

  • car/truck wash
  • All purpose cleaning
  • Degreasers
  • Graffiti removal
  • Heavy duty cleaning
  • Industrial cleaning
  • Ink cleaning
  • Solvent replacements
  • Resin remover
  • Paint strippers
  • Hand cleaners

For more information regarding Methyl Soyate or more benefits for switching to this alternative solvent, please email info@ecolink.com, or call us at (800) 563-1305.

Why is it beneficial to use Isopar M for industrial applications?

Benefits of Isopar M for Industrial Applications

Isopar M (CAS Number: 64742-47-8) is a product created from petroleum-based raw materials such as crude oil. This particular product possesses several advantages over conventional solvents such as kerosene and white spirit. One of the most beneficial components that Isopar M contains is that it is odorless, which can facilitate the workers when they are going to use this particular product. Also, Isopar M fluids possess the advantage of a flash point of more than 60 degrees Celcius meaning they do not qualify as dangerous goods under DG Transport regulations.

Most frequent uses of Isopar M:

Isopar M can work as a forming fluid in metalworking. Also, Isopar M is used as a cleaner and household polisher and as a liquid vaporizer. However, this product is not sold directly to the public, but it can be found as an ingredient in some consumer products.

Why is it safer for workers?

As mentioned before, Isopar M is virtually odorless which makes it more pleasant and comfortable to work with. Also, this product provides temporary protection against corrosion during forming operations without damaging parts. 

Why is it excellent for clients to use Isopar M? 

This product has excellent control of the forming process for the consumer’s product. Isopar M also provides exceptional comfort and protection for people who are continuously exposed to the product. One of the best features of Isopar M is that it has a low viscosity which is better for companies to work with because allows their formulas to become more mixable and have a smooth liquid. This product has low toxicity and is non-carcinogen. Also, it has lower risk exposure than other conventional products. This, mostly because one of the features is that Isopar M has low electrical conductivity and a low freezing point. It has a high chemical stability which makes it crucial to the essential industries when it comes to managing the product. Also, when it comes to using the product as a cleaner for manufacturing machines, it works excellent because it can make drastic improvements to the pieces of machinery. The most important feature of this product is that is completely reusable and easy to recover which is good for the environment.

The Importance of Acetone in Lacquer Thinner

Acetone is a key ingredient in most lacquer thinners including Ecolink’s Lacquer Thinner #11, Lacquer Thinner #48, and Lacquer Thinner #51.

Acetone is an important component in every type of lacquer thinner product, because as a solvent acetone is a very strong and effective cleaning agent.

Common Applications

Acetone is useful to prep surfaces prior to painting with both lacquer-based and oil paints. Acetone is often incorporated into paints and paint thinners as a volatile compound.

Quality lacquer thinners require power solvents with fast evaporation rates. Fast drying solvents are a necessity in products like Lacquer Thinner #11, Lacquer Thinner #48, and Lacquer Thinner #51, so that no residue or streaks are left behind when lacquer thinner is used to remove paint or adhesive.

Lacquer Thinner is a common product in paints and adhesives; acetone is also a common product in paints and adhesives. This source of mutual use is why acetone is a required product of any lacquer thinner.

Acetone is the ingredient that makes lacquer thinner a strong cleaning agent, fast evaporating, and adds to lacquer thinners’ solubility in water.

In some situations lacquer thinner and acetone can be used interchangeably, but it is helpful to remember that it is difficult to find lacquer thinner without acetone for a good reason.

Acetone or Lacquer Thinner?

It is often better to use lacquer thinner in place of acetone, because acetone on its own has a much faster evaporation rate than lacquer thinner. Lacquer thinner has other ingredients besides acetone–i.e. Lacquer Thinner #11 includes Toluene, Acetone, and Methanol.

Lacquer Thinner and acetone have different uses on their own, but if a strong cleaning agent to remove lacquer-based paints, residue, and adhesives is needed lacquer thinner is your best bet.

For these purposes there is often no reason to choose between acetone and lacquer thinner, because acetone is the ingredient in lacquer thinner that makes it the only necessary chemical for the job.

Different Types of Lacquer Thinner

Most lacquer thinners include acetone, but they are not all made with the same ingredients.

Ecolink’s Lacquer thinner #11 is comprised of Toluene, Methanol, and Acetone, as stated above. Conversely, Ecolink’s Lacquer Thinner #48 is made of MEK, Methanol, Toluene, and Glycol EB or 2-Butoxyethanol, while Lacquer Thinner #51 includes Methanol, Toluene, and Glycol EB.

It is simple to see that Lacquer Thinner is typically similar in structure, but the differing components offer different results. Acetone is a key ingredient in each type of lacquer thinner sold by Ecolink, because acetone helps to make lacquer thinner the strong and fast drying product that consumers and companies desire.

Safety and Handling

Acetone’s presence in lacquer thinner results in higher toxicity and flammability. All Ecolink lacquer thinners have highly flammable liquids and vapors.

  • Only use lacquer thinner in a well-ventilated area.
  • May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways.
  • Harmful upon inhalation.
  • Causes dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Use proper protective equipment when using lacquer thinner.
  • Read the SDS provided with your lacquer thinners before making use of the product.

Shop Acetone and Lacquer Thinners Here or call (800)-563-1305 for help!

Tert-Butyl Acetate Applications

What is Tertiary Butyl Acetate?

Tertiary Butyl Acetate, also known as T-Butyl Acetate or TBAc, is a VOC exempt and non-HAP status solvent.  T-Butyl Acetate is VOC exempt due to it having negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. This allows it to be an ideal substitute for compounds that are regulated as VOCs which allows it to reduce smog from coating emissions within the ozone.  Tert-butyl acetate has a few key features including:

  • Broad solvency range (similar to that of hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents)
  • Low density
  • Low flash point
  • Intermediate evaporation rate

Safety and Handling of Tert-Butyl Acetate

Tert-Butyl Acetate is a skin, throat, and eye irritant if contact occurs.  Along with that, T-Butyl Acetate is a highly flammable liquid and vapor. The vapors may travel to a source of ignition and ignite.  Since the vapors are heavier than air, they will collect low on the ground. To prevent any incidents, it is imperative that there are no open flames, sparks, and no smoking.  Other safety precautions is to wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and provide proper ventilation.

Various Applications of T-Butyl Acetate

Tert-Butyl Acetate has a wide range of applications and is seen as the better choice over

T-Butyl Acetate is mostly used for industrial cleaning because it is one of the most effective solvent for cleaning polished metals without dulling the polished surface.  With cleaning electronics, tert-butyl acetate can be used to clean and degrease circuit boards and removing solder flux. Tert-Butyl Acetate is also used as a replacement for certain solvents within photoresist formulations which are used in semiconductor processing.  Other than being an industrial solvent cleaner and degreaser, T-Butyl Acetate also plays a key role in resin and rubber production along with plastic production. Tert-Butyl Acetate is also takes part in the production of:

  • Adhesives
  • Sealants
  • Lacquers
  • Enamels, and
  • Thinners

TBAc is also ideal when cleaning coatings because its fast evaporation rate allows it to not change any of the coatings properties.  It is also a component within Alkyd coatings which are used mainly for decorative coatings. Other various applications of T-Butyl Acetate are its role within inks, digital inks, and as an organic intermediate within pharmaceuticals.

Shop Tert-Butyl Acetate here. If you aren’t sure whether or not Tert-Butyl Acetate is the ideal fit for you, please email us info@ecolink.com, or call (800) 563-1305.

IPA 99% Compared To IPA 70%

 

The Differences Between IPA 99% and IPA 70%

IPA 99% or Isopropyl alcohol 99% is used in many applications as a powerful cleaning agent and method of preservation.

IPA 70% is not the same as IPA 99%. IPA 70% is found in common household products such as rubbing alcohol.

IPA General Information

  • Rubbing alcohol is a mixture of compounds, while isopropyl alcohol 99% is pure alcohol.
  • IPA 99% is more closely related to propanol, while rubbing alcohol derives from ethyl alcohol.
  • IPA 99% is not safe to ingest in any form and less common for consumer use, while IPA 70% as a product of ethyl alcohol can be found in common alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, brandy, and whiskey.
  • Rubbing alcohol is a variant of denatured alcohol.
  • Rubbing alcohol has 70-95% ethanol, and can also be found as Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol which contains around 95% ethanol.
  • IPA 70% is also less toxic and flammable than IPA 99% and evaporates more slowly.

Applications

IPA 70% can be more versatile than IPA 99%, because IPA 70% can be safely used for both industrial and household applications.

Both IPA 70% and IPA 99% are useful antiseptics and play an important role in at home and professional medical care.

This is one of the many reasons that while IPA 70% may be cheaper and more versatile than IPA 99% in some circumstances.

Why Choose IPA 99%?

Sensitive electronic devices, such as computer chips, and circuit boards, are best manufactured with IPA 99% because of its fast drying and low water content qualities.

IPA 99% is also a much more effective cleaning agent than IPA 70%, because of its extremely fast evaporation and the fact that it is pure, completely non denatured alcohol.

Though IPA 99% is flammable, it is the strongest alcohol cleaning agent available to ensure optimal medical and industrial cleaning.

IPA 99% can also utilized to remove most inks, pastes, oils, and other contaminants associated with machinery and printing.

High purity alcohol is much better for cleaning electronics, because that is what is used in the manufacturing of the product.

The important difference between IPA 70% and IPA 99% to remember is that the additional 30% of substance that comprises IPA 70 is not always water, there may be additives included that would not be safe for all cleaning applications.

This uncertainty is where the purity of IPA 99 truly comes in handy.

IPA 99’s extremely fast evaporation leaves no residue behind after any sort of application.

This is one of the many reasons why IPA 99 is a better cleaning agent than IPA 70.

Simply put, Isopropyl Alcohol 99% is a safe, pure, strong, and effective solvent and cleaning agent that is useful in the medical, household, laboratory, and manufacturing industries.

If you would like to purchase IPA 99%, please call (800)-563-1305 or purchase IPA online here.

ipa 99 vs ipa 70 infographic