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
Butyl Glycol
Butyl Glycol, also known as 2-Butoxyethanol, is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, sweet ether-like odor. It is an organic solvent classified as a glycol ether, with the molecular formula C6H14O2. Butyl Glycol is highly miscible with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents. It is widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to its excellent solvent properties, low volatility, and moderate toxicity. Its high solvency and compatibility with both aqueous and organic phases make it valuable in coatings, cleaning products, inks, and adhesives.
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Disulfide (CS₂) is a volatile, flammable, and highly toxic organic solvent composed of carbon and sulfur. At 99% purity, it is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, sweet, ether-like odor. Carbon Disulfide is produced primarily by the reaction of carbon (charcoal) with sulfur vapors at high temperatures. Due to its excellent solvent properties and reactivity, it is used across multiple industries, including the production of rayon, cellophane, rubber chemicals, and pesticides. Despite its utility, Carbon Disulfide requires careful handling because of its toxicity, flammability, and environmental hazards.
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.
Glacial Acetic Acid Tech grade
Glacial Acetic Acid Tech grade is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent vinegar-like odor. It is a less refined form of acetic acid primarily used for industrial and technical applications rather than food or pharmaceutical uses. Typically available in concentrations ranging from 80% to glacial (99-100%), it serves as a crucial chemical reagent, solvent, and intermediate in various industrial processes.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)
Hydrochloric Acid is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas. It is a strong, highly corrosive mineral acid with a sharp, pungent odor. The chemical formula is HCl with a molecular weight of 36.46 g/mol. Hydrochloric Acid is completely miscible with water and many organic solvents. It is non-flammable but extremely corrosive to metals and human tissue. Technical grade Hydrochloric Acid is manufactured for industrial applications including chemical manufacturing, steel pickling, oil well acidizing, water treatment, and pH adjustment. It is available in various concentrations, typically ranging from 30% to 38% by weight.
Solvent Naphtha
Solvent Naphtha is a flammable, volatile hydrocarbon mixture derived from petroleum distillation. Characterized by its sharp, petroleum-like odor, it is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. It is a versatile industrial solvent prized for its ability to dissolve oils, fats, resins, and rubber. Its balanced evaporation rate and strong solvency make it a key component in formulations requiring a powerful yet controllable solvent.
Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless aromatic hydrocarbon solvent with a distinct sweet odor. It is widely used as an industrial solvent and chemical feedstock due to its excellent solvency, volatility, and chemical stability. Toluene plays a critical role in the production of paints, coatings, adhesives, rubber, and various chemicals. It is also used as a fuel additive and in the manufacture of explosives and pharmaceuticals. Its versatility makes it a cornerstone in multiple industrial sectors.
Xylene
Xylene is a clear, colorless, flammable aromatic hydrocarbon solvent consisting of three isomers: ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene. It is widely utilized in various industries for its excellent solvency, chemical stability, and moderate evaporation rate. Xylene serves as a key raw material in chemical manufacturing and an effective solvent in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning applications.

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