Perchloroethylene

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Perchloroethylene (also known as tetrachloroethylene or PCE) is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet odor, widely used as a solvent in dry cleaning and industrial degreasing. It has excellent solvent power for organic materials, is non-flammable, and chemically stable under normal conditions. Perchloroethylene is valued for its efficiency in removing oils, greases, and waxes from fabrics and metals, and serves as a key chemical intermediate in various industrial applications.

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Categories: CLEANING AND DETERGENT CHEMICALS, LABORATORY CHEMICALS, Solvents (Cleaning), Solvents(lab) Tags: Chlorinated hydrocarbon, Dry Cleaning Solvent, PCE Solvent, Perchloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene

Description

Table of Contents

Perchloroethylene

Primary Uses

Dry Cleaning Solvent
- The primary solvent used in commercial dry cleaning for removing oils, stains, and dirt from textiles without damaging the fabric.
- Provides effective cleaning with minimal fabric shrinkage or color loss.
Industrial Degreasing
- Used to clean metal parts, machinery components, and electronic equipment by dissolving grease, oils, and wax residues.
- Suitable for vapor degreasing and cold cleaning processes.
Chemical Intermediate
- Employed as a raw material in the manufacture of fluorocarbons and other chemical products.
Extraction Solvent
- Used in laboratories and industrial processes to extract organic compounds from mixtures.

Secondary Uses

Adhesive and Coatings Manufacturing
- Utilized as a solvent in adhesive formulations and specialty coatings.
Textile and Leather Processing
- Applied in cleaning and finishing processes for textiles and leather goods.
Pesticide Formulations
- Acts as a solvent carrier in certain pesticide products.
Electronics Industry
- Used for cleaning delicate electronic components during manufacturing.

KEY PRODUCT FEATURES

Key Attributes

Basic Identification Attributes

Chemical Name (IUPAC): Tetrachloroethylene
Common/Trade Name: Perchloroethylene, PCE, Tetrachloroethene
CAS Number: 127-18-4
HS Code: 2903.39.00
Synonyms: Perc, Dry cleaning solvent, Tetrachloroethene

Physical & Chemical Properties

Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid
Color & Odor: Odorless to sweet aromatic odor
Boiling Point: 121°C
Melting Point: -22.8°C
Density: 1.62 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with most organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: 18.3 kPa at 25°C

Safety & Hazard Attributes

GHS Classification: Hazardous (Carcinogenic, harmful if inhaled or swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation)
Toxicity: Moderate to high toxicity; potential carcinogen (IARC Group 2A)
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL - 100 ppm (8-hour TWA)

Storage & Handling Attributes

Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources
Container Type: Supplied in sealed metal drums or chemical-grade containers
Shelf Life: Stable for several years if stored properly
Handling Precautions: Use personal protective equipment; avoid inhalation and prolonged skin contact

Regulatory & Compliance Attributes

Complies with EPA, OSHA, and REACH regulations
Listed under various chemical inventories and reporting requirements
Subject to strict environmental discharge and workplace exposure limits

Environmental & Health Impact

Biodegradability: Poorly biodegradable; persistent in environment
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; avoid release into waterways
Bioaccumulation: Potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Classified as a probable human carcinogen (IARC Group 2A)

SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

Safety Handling Precautions

PPE Required: Respirators, gloves, chemical goggles, and protective clothing
Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas or under fume hoods; avoid skin and eye contact
Storage Measures: Keep containers tightly closed; prevent vapor release

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if breathing difficulty occurs
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical help

Firefighting Measures

Fire Hazards: Non-flammable but decomposes to produce toxic gases under fire conditions
Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂
Special Precautions: Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Hazardous Combustion Products: Phosgene, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, and other toxic gases