Solvents & Thinners

Each is blended for a different binder. Synthetic thinner, typically based on mineral turpentine-type aliphatic solvents, thins alkyd enamels, primers and varnishes. NC thinner is a fast-evaporating blend, usually of esters, ketones, alcohols and aromatics, strong enough to dissolve nitrocellulose lacquers. Epoxy thinner, usually aromatic hydrocarbons with alcohols or ketones, suits epoxy resin and hardener systems. The wrong thinner can cause poor flow, blushing, wrinkling or slow cure.

Both are aromatic solvents with similar solvency for alkyd, epoxy, rubber and many other resins; the main difference is evaporation rate. Toluene boils at about 111 °C and evaporates faster, suiting quick-drying adhesives, inks and lacquers. Xylene boils at about 138–144 °C and evaporates more slowly, giving better flow and levelling in alkyd and epoxy paints and thinners. C9 aromatic solvents evaporate more slowly still, for slow-drying and baking finishes.

MEG is the base for polyester fibre, PET and antifreeze. MPG has low toxicity and, in food, pharma or cosmetic grades, is used as a humectant and carrier; industrial grades go into polyester resins and coolants. DEG goes into polyols, unsaturated polyester and plasticisers, and TEG is the usual glycol for natural gas dehydration. MEG and DEG are toxic if swallowed and must never replace MPG in food or medicines.

Cyclohexanone is one of the strongest common solvents for PVC and vinyl copolymers, which is why it is used in PVC solvent cements, vinyl coatings and inks, often blended with faster ketones such as acetone to control drying. Aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohols on their own do not dissolve PVC. Cyclohexanone is also an intermediate in nylon production and a solvent for epoxy coatings and some agrochemical formulations.

These chlorinated solvents do not burn easily but are hazardous if inhaled, and their vapours are heavier than air and collect in pits and low areas. Use them in closed systems or with good local exhaust ventilation, wear the gloves and respiratory protection named in the SDS, and keep drums sealed, cool, out of sunlight and away from aluminium. They are supplied under controlled handling with the documentation the law requires.

Depending on product and quantity, solvents and glycols are packed in 20–50 L carboys or jerry cans, 200 L HDPE or MS drums, 1,000 L IBC tanks or bulk tanker loads. Flammable and chlorinated solvents are packed and labelled to the applicable rules with product, batch and hazard labels, and every batch comes with the manufacturer's COA and SDS. The quotation confirms packaging, lead time and terms in writing.