Perchloroethylene
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.
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.
1. 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
2. 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
3. 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)
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
- 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
Related products
Butanol
Butanol (also known as n-Butanol or Normal Butanol) is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, alcoholic odor. It is a four-carbon primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. Butanol is moderately soluble in water and miscible with many organic solvents. Its physical and chemical properties make it a versatile solvent and chemical intermediate. Butanol indicates a high purity grade often used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and chemical synthesis applications.
Chlorinated Paraffin Wax
Chlorinated Paraffin Wax is a synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbon obtained by the chlorination of paraffin wax. It typically appears as a waxy solid, ranging from light yellow to dark brown depending on the degree of chlorination and the chain length of the paraffins. CPW is valued for its excellent flame retardant, plasticizing, and extreme pressure (EP) additive properties. It is widely used in industrial applications including metalworking fluids, PVC formulations, rubber compounding, and flame retardant materials. CPW offers thermal stability, chemical resistance, and lubricating qualities, making it a versatile industrial additive.
Di Acetone Alcohol
Di Acetone Alcohol (chemical name: 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one) is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild acetone-like odor. It is a versatile organic solvent and intermediate widely used in the manufacture of coatings, adhesives, inks, and specialty chemicals. Di Acetone Alcohol exhibits excellent solvency for resins, oils, and fats, combined with moderate evaporation rate and low volatility compared to acetone, making it suitable for controlled drying applications. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in synthesis reactions and as a component in solvent blends to optimize performance and drying characteristics.
Kerol
Kerol is a synthetic kerosene-like solvent commonly used as a degreasing and cleaning agent in various industrial applications. It is a clear, colorless liquid with low aromatic content, moderate volatility, and excellent solvency properties, designed for effective removal of oils, greases, and contaminants from metal and mechanical parts. Kerol offers a balance of strong cleaning efficiency with improved safety and environmental profile compared to traditional kerosene.
N-Propanol
N-Propanol, also known as n-Propyl Alcohol or 1-Propanol, is a clear, colorless, low-viscosity liquid with a characteristic mild alcohol-like odor. It is a primary alcohol with the molecular formula C₃H₈O, fully miscible with water and common organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, ethers, glycols, and hydrocarbons. This high-purity, semi-volatile, polar solvent serves as both a versatile solvent and a chemical intermediate across multiple industrial sectors. N-Propanol has a flash point of 15–23°C and is classified as a highly flammable liquid. Technical grade N-Propanol is manufactured for industrial applications and is not intended for direct human consumption unless specifically certified as USP or Food Grade.
Normal Butanol
Normal Butanol is a straight-chain primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. It is a colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic alcoholic odor. Known for its good solvent properties and moderate evaporation rate, n-Butanol is widely used in industrial applications such as solvents for paints, coatings, adhesives, and as an intermediate in chemical synthesis.
Pine Oil
Pine Oil is a powerful, aromatic essential oil obtained through the steam distillation of the needles, twigs, and cones of pine trees, primarily Pinus sylvestris or other Pinus species. It features a sharp, woody, and fresh scent with natural disinfectant and deodorizing properties. Rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, Pine Oil is widely utilized in cleaning products, disinfectants, air care, cosmetics, and industrial formulations. It is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and degreasing capabilities, making it an effective multi-purpose ingredient across various sectors.
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil)
Turkey Red Oil (Sulphated Castor Oil), also known as Sulphated Castor Oil, is a water-soluble derivative of castor oil produced by the sulfonation of castor oil. It appears as a viscous, amber to dark brown liquid with excellent emulsifying, detergent, and wetting properties. Turkey Red Oil is widely used as a natural surfactant and emulsifier in various industrial and personal care applications. It is known for its biodegradability, mildness, and ability to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. Traditionally used in textile processing as a softener and lubricant, it now finds broad usage in cosmetics, detergents, leather processing, and cleaning products due to its unique functional attributes.

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