Types of Solvent Chemicals

There are thousands of types of solvent chemicals available for purchase. Whether it is a brand name or proprietary formulation, most industrial cleaning products will fall into one of these three categories.

• Oxygenated chemicals (which include alcohols and water-based solutions)
• Hydrocarbon solvent-based brands such as diesel fuel or mineral spirits (used to clean machinery)
• Halogenated oils like Ethyllead work around flammable materials without igniting them.

Industrial cleaning solvents are essential for keeping your industrial production running smoothly. This article will introduce you to the different types and explain which one is perfect for every task that might arise within any manufacturing facility or office building.

For more information on organic solvents or any powder coating stripping, be sure to visit Solvent Replacement and get the best quality chemicals available.

Explaining the Types of Solvent Chemicals

• Oxygenated Solvents

Oxygenated solvents, such as gasoline and kerosene, often produce organic chemicals, and Distilling components create them out from other substances under high pressure. There is just enough oxygen left to form a solution with other desired elements or molecules after removing water at the end of production. The most common example of oxygenated solvents is kerosine, ketone, alcohol, and glycol ethers.

• Hydrocarbon Solvents

Hydrocarbons are unique hydro-chemical compounds that can work as solvents. They are a part of many cleaning products, from those used for residential purposes to industrial ones. The wide variety of hydrocarbons in these cleaners makes them useful for a range from residential to industrial.

Solvents are chemicals used to produce many different products, from pharmaceuticals to paints. Hydrocarbon solvents lack oxygen, so they’re not as flammable or volatile- but make up for this by being much less toxic than their counterpart: Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Solvent Selection Guide offers detailed information about which kind will work best depending on what you need it to do and how much harm might come with its use.

Turpentine, petroleum ether, and Benzene are common hydrocarbon solvents. Some of these hydrocarbon solvent chemicals, especially Benzene, emit hazardous fumes that cause health issues. Professionals such as Solvent Replacement can provide you with practical alternatives to chemicals with the same industrial cleaning power.

• Halogenated Solvents

These solvents are hydrocarbon solvents that have an additional step of being subjected to a chlorinating process, which means they possess some qualities similar if not identical with their parent compounds. Halogenated solvents are highly effective in the removal of organic materials. One significant difference between hydrocarbon and halogenated formulations is that these latter tend to have a more intense aroma than their counterparts, but this does not mean they’re better for you. Halogenated solvents are the most dangerous as their chemical properties pose serious health issues. Chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, and trichloroethylene are examples of commonly used halogenated solvents.

Which One Should You Use?

Many industries utilize one or all of the solvent chemical types listed above. If you feel confused about selecting the right chemical, Solvent Replacement is here to help you out. We have the best industrial-grade organic solvents available to make your choice easy.