Acetone alternative

[ziggytn]

Looking for a replacement for acetone for dissolving set-up thermoset polyester resin. The flammabilty of acetone is the main concern. Thanks.

 

[25362]

One alternative I can think of is non-flammable methylene chloride (aka METH, CAS RN 75-09-2). It must be checked in the lab. However, if found satisfactory as a solvent, don't forget it is toxic to humans and negatively affects the environment. MEK and MiBK, higher ketones, are a bit less flammable (lower VP) than acetone, and may also be tried out. Anyway, inert gas atmospheres are recommended when handling flammable solvents.

 

[saxon]

ziggytn, MEK or Methylene Chloride are good solvent alternatives to Acetone, as their flammability values are less or zero. One problem with these materials, they are a known carcinogens and require monitoring of personnel and work areas. The latest solvents developed for substitution have been an ester based compounds know as Dibasic Ester or Dimethyl Ester. One word of caution run a test to make sure that these solvents work on the process or material.

Another good solvent compound is from the Ethanol group, 2-Butoxy Ethanol. Trade name is Res-way Emulsion Cleaner manu'f. by Resin Support Systems in Calif. As for this material, run tests to assure that it works on your material.

Hope this helps.
saxon

 

[Distillgasm]

It's very likely you work in a boat or fiberglass production facility. Upon these assumptions, you can forget any of the chlorinated solvents as substitutes. You'd be swapping more expensive solvent and health concerns for less expensive,not including fire insurance, but flammable acetone. The acetone substitutes usually do not work as well as acetone. Your production employees will spend more time cleaning their tools and hands. These subs also have a funky smell. And better read your disposal or discharge labels before you sun dry the residual. Some companies have looked at rapid transfer molding to reduce environmental concerns but I have not seen any boat companies use this technology yet.

 

[2626716]

Shall iso propyl alcohol replace acetone???

 

[Distillgasm]

Substituting IPA for acetone does not improve ignitability issues. It does provide management the option to dispose of their excess IPA as rubbing alcohol where everyone walks out wearing the waste. (This is a joke. Do not rub on the skin nor smoke around either solvent.)

 

[dcguffey]

Another issue with methylene chloride is the permitting sometimes required by your local air quality authorities. Chlorinated solvents are becoming "bad guys" and are relatively hard to get the EPA or locals to buy into as a new chemical in your facility.

 

[ziggytn]

Thanks everyone, we eliminated Meth. Chloride a while back (due to health concerns) and are using acetone as the replacement. Now, concerns have come up about the flammability of acetone, so I was hoping something new was out there.

 

[phoward]

Have you tried nPB, n-Propyl bromide 106-94-5? It is non-flammable and dissolves better than 1,1,1 Trichlor.