Products
Propylene Carbonate
SMC Global is a leading supplier of Propylene Carbonate, a versatile and economical VOC-exempt solvent extensively used for commercial and industrial use.
What is Propylene Carbonate?
Propylene Carbonate is a polar aprotic solvent used as a “green” sustainable alternative solvent for chemical transformations. It is a low toxicity, biodegradable, non-corrosive colorless liquid with a high boiling point, low vapor pressure, and EPA VOC exemption.
Due to its low vapor pressure and findings of negligible photochemical reactivity, Propylene Carbonate is an effective substitute for more hazardous solvents such a MEK, methylene chloride, toluene, acetone, NMP, and perchloroethylene. Propylene Carbonate is also compatible with other solvents providing an efficient ingredient in co-solvent formulations. It is widely used in the manufacture of paints, adhesives, coatings, surface cleaners, degreasers, strippers, and inks formulations as well as in lithium-ion batteries, as electrolytic solvent, and in the removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas.
CAS #: 108-32-7
EINECS #: 203-572-1
Synonyms: 4-methy-1,3-dioxolan-2-one; 1,2-Propanediol cyclic carbonate; Carbonic acid cyclic propylene ester
Molecular Formula: C4H6O3
Propylene Carbonate Applications
Paint & Coatings
It is used as a high-boiling solvent and film-forming auxiliary, especially in poly (vinyl fluoride) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) systems. Propylene Carbonate is also more eco-efficient compared to other solvents used in wire enamel coating applications. As a reactive diluent, it can reduce the viscosity of isocyanates or polyurethane pre-polymers in two-component polyurea systems.
Lithium-ion batteries and Electronics
Propylene Carbonate is another important cyclic carbonate solvent in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) electrolytes. Due to its high dielectric constant, it is used as a high permittivity component of electrolytes in lithium batteries, usually together with a low-viscosity solvent. Propylene Carbonate is also an effective circuit board and electronic cleaner. It is rapidly used in the computer, cell phones, hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle manufacturing markets.
Cleaning, Stripping and Degreasing
It has low toxicity and rapid biodegradability properties for solvents used in hard surface cleaning and degreasing formulations. Alone or combined with other solvents, it is effective as a polyurethane and polymer/resin cleaner, for cleaning up unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats, as an all-purpose industrial and consumer cleaner, for cleaning stereolithographic parts, and as an ink cleaner.
Gas Treating and Petrochemical Applications
Propylene Carbonate is used as a physical solvent for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in natural gas treating, oil pyrolysis gas, and synthetic ammonia conversion gas applications. It is also used as an oil solvent and as an extraction agent for olefins and aromatics. In Grignard reactions, it is used as an intermediate to create tertiary alcohols.
Other Uses and Applications
It is used as a binder for foundry sand molds, as a plasticizer for polymers, and in pesticide formulations.
In the textile industry can be used as synthetic fiber additives and fixatives, spinning solvents, or water-solvent dye pigment dispersant.
Propylene Carbonate is not corrosive, therefore, it can be used in cosmetic and personal care products like make-up, antiperspirants, hair conditioners, and other products.
Paint & Coatings
It is used as a high-boiling solvent and film-forming auxiliary, especially in poly (vinyl fluoride) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) systems. Propylene Carbonate is also more eco-efficient compared to other solvents used in wire enamel coating applications. As a reactive diluent, it can reduce the viscosity of isocyanates or polyurethane pre-polymers in two-component polyurea systems.
Lithium-ion batteries and Electronics
Propylene Carbonate is another important cyclic carbonate solvent in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) electrolytes. Due to its high dielectric constant, it is used as a high permittivity component of electrolytes in lithium batteries, usually together with a low-viscosity solvent. Propylene Carbonate is also an effective circuit board and electronic cleaner. It is rapidly used in the computer, cell phones, hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle manufacturing markets.
Cleaning, Stripping and Degreasing
It has low toxicity and rapid biodegradability properties for solvents used in hard surface cleaning and degreasing formulations. Alone or combined with other solvents, it is effective as a polyurethane and polymer/resin cleaner, for cleaning up unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats, as an all-purpose industrial and consumer cleaner, for cleaning stereolithographic parts, and as an ink cleaner.
Gas Treating and Petrochemical Applications
Propylene Carbonate is used as a physical solvent for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in natural gas treating, oil pyrolysis gas, and synthetic ammonia conversion gas applications. It is also used as an oil solvent and as an extraction agent for olefins and aromatics. In Grignard reactions, it is used as an intermediate to create tertiary alcohols.
Other Uses and Applications
It is used as a binder for foundry sand molds, as a plasticizer for polymers, and in pesticide formulations.
In the textile industry can be used as synthetic fiber additives and fixatives, spinning solvents, or water-solvent dye pigment dispersant.
Propylene Carbonate is not corrosive, therefore, it can be used in cosmetic and personal care products like make-up, antiperspirants, hair conditioners, and other products.
Propylene Carbonate Grades and Specifications
We supply the following grades:
|
Propylene Carbonate Grades |
Propylene Carbonate |
Propylene Carbonate Technical Grade |
|
Product Number: |
SMC Global 3581 |
SMC Global 3584 |
|
Appearance |
Colorless to light yellow transparent liquid |
|
|
Purity |
99.50 min. |
99.70 min. |
|
Moisture, wt.% |
0.050 max. |
0.050 max. |
|
Ash content, wt.% |
0.010 max. |
0.010 max. |
|
Density at 20°C g/cm3 |
1.195 – 1.205 |
1.195 – 1.205 |
|
Color APHA |
20 max. |
20 max. |
|
Propylene Glycol, wt.% |
|
0.20 max. |
Packaging and Handling
SMC Global can offer Propylene Carbonate packaged in 200 KG drums, 1100 KG, and 1300 KG IBCs and other bulk quantities with efficient and reliable logistics management.
Propylene Carbonate Safety
For regulatory details such as the classification and labeling as dangerous substances or goods, please refer to our corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet.
Propylene Carbonate is listed in The Design for the Environment (DfE) Safer Chemistry Program by the EPA as a Solvent category and indicated by the Green circle, meaning the chemical has been verified to be of low concern for human and environmental health based on experimental and modeled data