How Can I Find a Trichloroethylene Substitute?

How Can I Find a Trichloroethylene Substitute?

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Although an effective and versatile solvent, trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, is slowly beginning to fade out of industrial use.  

The main reason for this solvent’s decline in popularity? Its toxicity. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the various uses of TCE, the dangers of this solvent, and why trichloroethylene substitutes are on the rise. 

Uses of Trichloroethylene 

This organic solvent has been utilized in various industries and commercial applications, such as:  

Metal Degreasing  

  • The primary use of the solvent, around 80%, is for the degreasing of metal equipment. For many companies, TCE is the go-to solvent for vapor degreasing. Because it has a high boiling point and is non-flammable, the solvent is considered ideal for vapor degreasing.  

Extraction Processes  

  • Many textile industries use TCE as an extraction solvent to remove fats, oils, and waxes from certain types of fabrics, such as cotton and wool.  

Refrigerant Manufacturing  

  • TCE is also used in the production of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.  

Additive  

  • TCE has been added to various types of household products, such as cleaning wipes, carpet cleaners, paint removers, paint thinners, lubricants, adhesives, and typewriter correction fluids.  

Why Is TCE Being Phased Out by Certain Industries?  

Primarily, it is due to the negative health effects that TCE use can cause, particularly affecting workers who are consistently exposed to it:  

  • The solvent is a known carcinogen and can potentially cause liver and kidney cancer, or even lymphoma.  
  • Moderate exposure levels can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, loss of coordination, and respiratory irritation.  
  • High exposure levels may cause liver damage, kidney damage, neurological damage, permanent cardiac issues, memory loss, unconsciousness, and even death.  
  • Additionally, the solvent has been shown to contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources through improper disposal and storage tank leaks.  

Is There a Trichloroethylene Substitute?  

Those searching for a substitute that will effectively replace TCE without compromising worker and environmental safety are in luck, as there are now many green solvents available on the market that are specifically formulated to replace traditional hazardous solvents.  

Utilizing green solvents may also be more cost-effective in the long run, as there are fewer regulations associated with safer solvents than hazardous ones like TCE.  

Interested in Purchasing a Trichloroethylene Substitute?  

Here at Ecolink, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality environmentally preferred solvents for various industrial applications. Our products also ensure the safety of workers, as we prioritize replacing traditional highly toxic products.  

You can browse our selection of products here, or reach out to Ecolink staff here to help you find the best product for your specific needs.  

Is Trichloroethylene in Laundry Detergent?

Examples of Metal Degreasing Solvents

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Metal degreasing is considered an essential process in the cleaning of industrial machinery, as the removal of grease and debris will prevent corrosion of the equipment and mechanical resistance. Finding an effective metal degreaser can end up saving companies hundreds to thousands of dollars in damages or replacements.    

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some examples of metal degreasing solvents. 

What Are Some Common Examples of Metal Degreasing Solvents?  

While many solvents are great for a variety of industrial applications, there are some that are more optimal for metal degreasing than others. Here are some of the best chemicals used for degreasing metal parts, tools, and other machinery in industrial settings: 

Trichloroethylene (TCE)  

  • TCE is easily one of the most popular options for degreasing and cleaning metal, especially as a vapor degreasing solvent. Because of its non-flammability and high boiling point, the solvent can dissolve difficult grease and oils. Unfortunately, TCE is slowly being phased out due to its high toxicity and associated negative health effects.  

n-Propyl Bromide (nPB)  

  • nPB is also considered an effective degreasing agent for both plastics and metals. Like TCE, this chemical is highly toxic and is also classified as an air pollutant.  

Acetone  

  • There are many acetone-based solvents available for degreasing and cleaning metal. Acetone is considered a safer option than many hazardous solvents, because of its low toxicity and strong degreasing capabilities. Acetone-based products are also generally VOC exempt or low VOC.  

Green Solvents  

  • Like acetone-based solvents, there are many green solvents that are formulated specifically to replace traditionally toxic solvents, ensuring both worker and environmental safety.  

Alcohol  

  • Alcohol has long been an effective cleaning and degreasing agent for metal equipment in industrial applications. Alcohol is a low VOC solvent and is considered a safer option than TCE or nPB.  

Since many popular chemicals used to degrease and clean metal are toxic to workers and the environment, many companies are making the switch to safer products that end up saving more money because of fewer regulations.  

Interested in Purchasing Safer Chemicals for Metal Degreasing?  

Here at Ecolink, we provide a selection of high-quality industrial chemicals that ensure the protection of workers and the environment without compromising quality. Our environmentally preferred products are formulated to effectively replace hazardous solvents like TCE and nPB.  

You can browse our selection of products here! Reach out to our staff here for help finding the best products for your business’s specific chemical needs. 

Trichloroethylene vs. Trichloroethane

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Trichloroethylene and trichloroethane are both organic solvents that are commonly confused with each other. Although they have similar names, these solvents do not necessarily have similar characteristics. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the major similarities and differences between these two solvents. 

Trichloroethylene vs. Trichloroethane – Similarities:

To start, let’s take a look at what these two solvents have in common: 

1. Degreasers 

  • Both solvents were once popular options for degreasing operations, as they both effectively dissolve difficult grease and oils. Because of the significant regulation of trichloroethane as an ozone-depleting chemical, trichloroethylene (TCE) has dominated in vapor degreasing processes.  

2. Industrial Uses 

  • Both solvents were also used as solvents for paints, adhesives, and coatings.  

3. Chemical Properties 

  • Both are nonpolar, colorless and possess a slightly sweet odor.  

Trichloroethylene vs. Trichloroethane – Differences:  

Even though both solvents possess some of the same properties, these chemicals are more different than they are alike. Here are some of the major differences between them: 

1. Ozone Depletion 

  • TCE is not considered an ozone-depleting chemical, as it has a very short atmospheric lifetime and breaks down before reaching the ozone layer. Trichloroethane, on the other hand, was shown to significantly contribute to ozone depletion and was banned by the Montreal Protocol in 1996, which regulates ozone-depleting substances.  

2. Safety 

  • Though safer for the environment, TCE is not necessarily safer for humans. Trichloroethane was once favored over TCE because it is not as toxic as TCE, which is a known carcinogen and can cause permanent liver, kidney, or neurological damage.  

3. Industrial Uses 

  • TCE has a wider range of uses, as it has been used as an extraction solvent, in dry cleaning processes, and as an additive in various products like cleaning wipes, carpet cleaners, and spot removers.  
  • Before the Montreal Protocol, Trichloroethane had other specific uses, such as a photoresist solvent and as an additive in cutting fluid. 

In general, the biggest difference between the two solvents is that TCE is still widely used in the U.S., while trichloroethane has been almost completely phased out in both industrial and commercial applications.  

Interested in Safer Industrial Chemicals?  

Ecolink provides high-quality chemicals that effectively replace hazardous solvents like TCE and trichloroethane. Our products balance the safety of both workers and the environment, without compromising on quality.  

Check out our selection of products here! You can also contact Ecolink staff here for help finding the best solvent for your business needs! 

What Is TCE?

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What is TCE? TCE, also known as trichloroethylene, is a widely used organic solvent, present in both industrial and commercial applications. It is nonflammable, colorless, and has a slightly sweet odor. The controversial solvent has also been increasingly regulated in the U.S. and even banned in certain countries.  

What Is TCE Used for?

  • Degreasing – The solvent is primarily used as a degreasing agent for cleaning metal parts. It is a popular choice for vapor degreasing, as its high boiling point and non-flammability enable it to dissolve stubborn debris and grease.  
  • Extraction solvent – In the textile industry, TCE has been used to extract grease, waxes, and oils from various fabrics, such as wool and cotton.  
  • Chemical intermediate – Mostly in the pharmaceutical industry, TCE is used as an intermediate in the production of organic chemicals and certain drugs.  
  • Additive – The solvent is added to various types of household products, such as cleaning wipes, aerosol cleaners, carpet cleaners, adhesives, lubricants, spot removers, paint thinners, paint removers, and even typewriter correction fluids.  

Dangers of TCE Exposure

Although the solvent is still used in large amounts in the United States, its toxicity and associated health effects are beginning to gain traction at the industrial level. Many companies have switched to using safer solvents because of the health and environmental risks associated with TCE:  

  • The solvent is a known carcinogen, able to alter DNA and create mutations in tissue, causing certain cancers and lymphoma.  
  • At moderate exposure levels, it may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, confusion, respiratory irritation, eye irritation, and unconsciousness.  
  • Chronic exposure may result in kidney damage, liver damage, nervous system damage, permanent cardiac issues, loss of coordination, and even death.  
  • TCE has been shown to contaminate groundwater and drinking water sources in various locations in the U.S. Through waste disposal and storage tank leaks, it can seep into these water sources and is not able to evaporate, causing it to accumulate and potentially be exposed to unsuspecting citizens.  

Looking for Safer Alternatives to Hazardous Solvents?

Ecolink provides a selection of eco-friendly and worker-friendly industrial solvents that are formulated to effectively replace highly toxic chemicals like TCE. Our products ensure a safer workplace and less harm to the environment without compromising quality. 

 Check out our selection of products here! You can also reach out to the specialized staff here for assistance finding the best product for your business needs.  

Are There Trichloroethylene Alternatives?

Are There Trichloroethylene Alternatives?

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Trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, is a controversial, yet widely used solvent for various industrial and commercial applications. However, using this popular solvent comes with some serious risks. 

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what TCE is, the dangers of this solvent, and trichloroethylene alternatives that are safer and more eco-friendly. 

Industrial Uses for TCE 

Industrially, this man-made chemical is used for a wide range of purposes: 

  • Degreasing – About 80% of the solvent’s usage is for degreasing metal equipment. It is a particularly popular choice for vapor degreasing due to its non-flammability, high boiling point, and ability to dissolve stubborn grease and debris.  
  • Extraction solvent – It is also utilized in the textile industry for the removal of grease and oils from various types of fabrics, such as cotton and wool.  
  • Intermediate – In the pharmaceutical industry, trichloroethylene is commonly used as an intermediate in the production of organic chemicals or drugs.  

Risks of TCE Use  

Despite the effectiveness and versatility of the solvent, TCE has a reputation of being a risky solvent to work with. In recent years, the short and long-term health effects of TCE on industrial workers and those who are continuously exposed to it have been shown to be very serious:  

  • The known carcinogen can cause several types of cancer and potentially lymphoma. 
  • If inhaled, the chemical can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, respiratory irritation, and unconsciousness.  
  • Chronic exposure can lead to memory loss, nervous system damage, liver damage, kidney damage, and permanent cardiac issues.  
  • Additionally, the chemical has been found to contaminate various drinking water sources and groundwater, as it is not always able to evaporate, therefore it can accumulate and affect unsuspecting people.  

Because of the risks associated with TCE, the chemical has been increasingly regulated in the U.S. and even banned in certain countries. Luckily, there are now many trichloroethylene alternatives available that will not only ensure the safety of both workers and the environment but will be more cost-effective, as they will not have as many regulations that companies will have to comply with.  

Looking for Effective Trichloroethylene Alternatives?  

Ecolink provides a selection of high-quality industrial solvents that are environmentally preferred, safer for workers, and more cost-efficient than traditional hazardous solvents. You can browse our selection of products here! You can also reach out to Ecolink staff here for help finding the best product for your industrial needs!