Butyl Glycol
Technical Specifications
Typical Physical & Chemical Properties
|
Property |
Typical Value |
|---|---|
|
Chemical Name |
2-Butoxyethanol |
|
Common Name |
Butyl Glycol |
|
Synonyms |
Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, EGBE, Butyl Cellosolve |
|
CAS Number |
111-76-2 |
|
Molecular Formula |
C₆H₁₄O₂ |
|
Molecular Weight |
118.17 g/mol |
|
Appearance |
Clear, colourless liquid |
|
Odour |
Mild, characteristic ether-like |
|
Purity |
Typically ≥99%, grade-dependent |
|
Specific Gravity at 20°C |
Approximately 0.90 |
|
Boiling Point |
Approximately 171°C |
|
Flash Point |
Approximately 60–67°C, depending on test method |
|
Freezing / Melting Point |
Approximately −75°C |
|
Solubility in Water |
Completely miscible |
|
Vapour Pressure at 20°C |
Approximately 0.8–1.0 hPa |
|
Refractive Index at 20°C |
Approximately 1.419 |
|
Chemical Family |
Glycol Ether |
|
Evaporation Rate |
Moderate to slow relative to common light solvents |
The above values are typical reference properties of 2-Butoxyethanol and are not batch-specific specifications. Final values must be confirmed from the applicable product TDS and COA.
Application & Dosage
Industrial Cleaning & Degreasing
Butyl Glycol is widely used in the formulation of heavy-duty cleaning chemicals for the removal of:
-
Industrial oils and lubricants
-
Grease and oily deposits
-
Workshop dirt and grime
-
Machinery contamination
-
Adhesive residues
-
Selected printing ink residues
-
General industrial soils
It is commonly incorporated into alkaline degreasers, multi-purpose cleaners and industrial maintenance formulations.
Marine Cleaning Chemicals
Butyl Glycol is used as a solvent ingredient in selected marine cleaning formulations.
Applications include:
-
Marine engine room degreasers
-
Machinery cleaning products
-
Heavy-duty maintenance cleaners
-
Oily surface cleaning formulations
-
Workshop and equipment cleaning
-
Selected tank-cleaning detergent formulations
The finished cleaning product must be assessed for surface compatibility, personnel safety and environmental discharge requirements.
Paints & Coatings Industry
Butyl Glycol functions as a solvent and coalescing aid in suitable paint and coating formulations.
It can assist with:
-
Film formation
-
Flow and levelling
-
Wetting of substrates
-
Solvent balance
-
Controlled evaporation
-
Application characteristics
It is used in selected water-based architectural and industrial coatings.
Printing Inks
Butyl Glycol is used in certain printing ink formulations to improve solvent balance, flow and application characteristics.
Textile Processing
Used in selected textile processing formulations as a solvent, wetting aid and auxiliary ingredient.
Automotive Chemicals
Butyl Glycol is incorporated into compatible automotive cleaning formulations, including workshop degreasers and selected surface cleaners.
Household & Institutional Cleaning
Used as an ingredient in formulated cleaners for hard surfaces, industrial floors and other suitable applications.
Chemical Tank Cleaning
Spraying –
The tank should be sprayed with BSOLV, and then left for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes the tank should be butterworthed warm 50-60 o C for 30 minutes, followed by a 4 hour hot wash 80 – 85 o C, after which fresh water rinse and dry the tank. All safety precautions must be taken whenever handling this product.
Re-circulation –
Sufficient BSOLV should be filled into the tank so that the cargo pump and butterworth machines function properly. Circulations should be carried out for at least 4 and ideally 6 hours and all areas of the tanks must be rinsed. The tank MUST be at least cleaned to a good Water White standard and must be dry, before filling the Butyl Glycol. If another tank is to be circulated, then the product can be directly transferred. IF not, it can be returned to drums for further use at a later date. Following the circulations, the same washing procedure is carried out as outlined above in the spraying section.
* Use a strainer at the pumpstack when circulating any solution.Tank Lining – Stainless / Zinc / Epoxy