DOW Chlorinated Organics - Which Solvent is Right for You

A step-by-step approach

1. Identify any special performance requirements or special applications.
2. Check the economics.
3. Give prime consideration to worker safety.
4. Satisfy all environmental requirements.

Then, on the basis of these factors, choose the best solvent for the job.

Solvent Performance

In vapor degreasing, one key to solvent performance is the volume of work that can be processed – that is, the work capacity of a degreaser. Machine capacity establishes the upper limit of productivity but, in actual practice, the rate of production for any given degreaser depends largely on the boiling point of the solvent. All other things being equal, the lower the boiling point of the solvent, the greater the work throughput.

Boiling Temperature Comparison

Common Solvent Selections

Methylene chloride, with the lowest boiling point, is well suited to cleaning thermal switches, thermometers, and other temperature-sensitive parts. It also has the highest solvent power, and will remove tough paint residues and hard-to-dissolve resins effectively. Trichloroethylene is the real general purpose solvent for vapor degreasing. It’s also used in specialty applications to strip semicured varnish or paint films, heavy rosins and buffing compounds. Perchloroethylene is excellent for removing high-melt waxes and for cleaning wet parts and light-gauge metal parts.