Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a clear, non-flammable chlorinated solvent with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. It is widely used as an industrial solvent for degreasing and cleaning metal parts, thanks to its excellent ability to dissolve oils, greases, and waxes. Trichloroethylene is also used as a chemical intermediate and in the manufacture of adhesives, paints, and coatings. Its volatility and solvency make it essential in many manufacturing and maintenance processes, although use is regulated due to environmental and health concerns.
Trichloroethylene
Primary Uses
- Metal Cleaning and Degreasing
- Industrial Degreaser: Used for vapor degreasing and cold cleaning of metal parts in automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing.
- Surface Preparation: Removes oils, greases, and contaminants prior to painting or coating.
- Chemical Industry
- Intermediate: Used in production of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants and other chemical syntheses.
- Solvent in Adhesives and Coatings: Effective solvent for adhesives, sealants, and specialty coatings.
- Electronics Industry
- Cleaning Agent: Used to clean delicate electronic components due to its non-flammability and effectiveness.
Secondary Uses
- Pharmaceuticals
- Utilized as a solvent or extraction agent in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
- Textile Industry
- Used as a solvent in textile processing, especially for degreasing fibers.
- Laboratory Use
- Employed as a solvent in analytical and preparative chemistry.
- Printing Industry
- Used in some specialty inks and cleaning formulations.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Trichloroethene
- Common/Trade Name: Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- CAS Number: 79-01-6
- HS Code: 2903.39.00
- Synonyms: Trichloroethene, TCE, Ethylene trichloride
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless; sweet, chloroform-like odor
- Boiling Point: 87.2 °C
- Melting Point: -86.9 °C
- Density: 1.46 g/cm³ at 20 °C
- Flash Point: Non-flammable (does not ignite easily)
- Solubility: Slightly soluble in water (~1.1 g/L); miscible with organic solvents
- Vapor Pressure: 79 mm Hg at 20 °C
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification:
- Carcinogenicity (Category 2)
- Specific target organ toxicity — repeated exposure (Category 2)
- Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Category 2)
- Toxicity: Toxic by inhalation and prolonged exposure; potential liver, kidney, and nervous system effects.
- Exposure Limits:
- OSHA PEL: 100 ppm (8-hour TWA)
- ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (8-hour TWA)
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers, away from heat, ignition sources, and incompatible materials.
- Container Type: Steel drums or chemical-grade containers.
- Shelf Life: Stable for several years if stored properly.
- Handling Precautions: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid inhalation and skin contact; wear appropriate PPE.
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with REACH, OSHA, and other global chemical safety standards.
- Subject to strict environmental regulations due to toxicity and potential carcinogenicity.
- Listed on chemical inventories such as TSCA (US) and EINECS (EU).
- Classified under UN number 1710 for transport.
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Slowly biodegradable; persistent in environment.
- Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; avoid environmental release.
- Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate potential.
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Respirators, gloves, and protective clothing recommended.
- Handling Guidelines: Use local exhaust ventilation; avoid skin and eye contact.
- Storage Measures: Store in cool, ventilated areas; prevent spills and leaks.
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms like dizziness or nausea develop.
- Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing.
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical help if irritation persists.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention.
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Not flammable but can decompose at high temperatures producing toxic gases.
- Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂.
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene.
Related products
Acetone
Acetone (chemical formula CH₃COCH₃) is the simplest and most widely used ketone, appearing as a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet, pungent odor. Industrial Grade Acetone is manufactured with a minimum purity of 99.5%, offering aggressive solvent power, rapid evaporation rate, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Its combination of high solvency, low toxicity relative to other industrial solvents, and favorable regulatory status makes it an indispensable chemical in manufacturing, cleaning, and formulation processes across numerous heavy industries.
Butyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic pleasant fruity odor similar to pears or bananas. It is an ester formed from butanol and acetic acid. Due to its excellent solvent properties, moderate evaporation rate, and relatively low toxicity, it is widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, food flavoring, and cosmetic applications. It dissolves many resins and polymers and is prized for improving flow and finish in coatings and inks.
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.
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate (DCP Dihydrate) is an odorless, white crystalline powder or granule composed of calcium and phosphate in a hydrated form. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical, food, animal feed, and industrial sectors. It serves as a calcium and phosphorus supplement, excipient, and abrasive agent, valued for its stability, bioavailability, and neutral taste. DCP Dihydrate complies with various pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP, BP, FCC) depending on the grade.
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.
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.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders