Solvent: properties and applications

Solvents are compounds of the inorganic and organic types that have the properties of dissolving a variety of substances. They are widely used in industry and in everyday life.

A great example is the use of a thinner to thin thick paint. When volatile fractions evaporate from it, it becomes more viscous. For its further use, it is necessary to reduce its density. The solvent will help with this.

There is no universal solvent in naturethat can be used to dissolve any material. It is necessary to select the option that will help to cope with the goal.

To create products that can dissolve several different substances, manufacturers create multi-component formulations. They include several one-component options at the same time. They differ in technical characteristics.

Means R 4, which is manufactured in accordance with GOST 7827-74, includes volatile organic solvents:

• 62% are hydrocarbons (toluene);
• 26% ketones (acetone);
• 12% esters (butyl acetate).

Thinner R-4 is an excellent choice for diluting paints and varnishes, enamels and primers, as well as putties. Mixing products are characterized by versatility, since they are designed to fulfill several purposes.

The main task of R-4 is to dilute to the required consistency of paints and varnishes for further coloring.

Main goals:

• do not interact with the material, as well as evaporate quickly after being applied to the product;
• be non-hygroscopic, that is, retain all properties in contact with water;
• a little solvent should be poured into the paint so that they mix easily, the result is a homogeneous mixture.

Diluents cannot dissolve the desired polymer on their own, but its structure is not disturbed. In reality, most buyers prefer a mixture of solvents, which are called numbered based on their labeling.

For example, the P-4 solvent containing toluene and acetone is the optimal solution for working with alkyd paints or varnishes. You can use plain water to dilute water products. But in order to slightly lower the viscosity of the paint, you should pour in water a little and wait for complete dissolution.

All solvents can be divided into inorganic and organic, based on their origin.

The first group is not in demand, since it includes substances that consist of a liquid ammonia solution, solutions of phosphoric acid salts, amines and water. Inorganic thinners have a characteristic unpleasant odor.

The second group is based on the physical properties of solvents:

• Highly volatile - solvent, white alcohol, gasoline. They are used for thinning acrylic and oil materials and enamels. Many members of this group ignite quickly, so you should be very careful when interacting with them. It should be located away from fire, and also not to use them in rooms with high air temperatures.
• Medium volatile - kerosene is a prime example. It is used for thinning oil and acrylic paints.
• Solid volatile - turpentine belongs to this group. Its purpose is to dilute oil paint, varnish or enamel.

Organic solvents have both advantages and disadvantages. The main plus is that they are used as a diluent for various substances. If we talk about the minuses, then it is worth noting that they retain a rather unpleasant odor for a long time and are characterized by toxic fumes that easily ignite, and can also cause serious vapor poisoning.

It is impossible to name the most powerful solvent, since each type is designed to dissolve or dilute a specific agent.

Today's solvent manufacturers offer a wide variety of organic and inorganic options that can be used for a variety of purposes. A large assortment enables the buyer to choose the best option depending on the goals. For example, there is a depilatory wax solvent that consists of fatty acid esters. It is safe for the epidermis, perfectly removes wax residues and its stickiness.

Organic solvents are in great demand, which can be divided into several large groups:

• alcohol-based products;
• substances for hydrocarbon purposes;
• ester types.

The first group, which includes alcohol-based products, includes:

• Ethyl alcohol has a specific odor. It ignites easily at high air temperatures.
• Butyl alcohol is often used with nitrocellulose paints.
• Methanol is presented as a clear, odorless liquid. It easily comes into contact with water, creating a homogeneous mixture.Methanol is used to dilute paints. Its main drawback is its high toxicity.
• Ethylene glycol is a viscous odorless consistency. It is often used to dilute nitro lacquers, after which the gloss and smoothness of paint is improved.

The prominent representatives of hydrocarbon products are:

• "White Spirit" Is a very popular and demanded oil refinery. It is designed to dissolve certain types of resins, nitro paints and oil paints. It attracts attention with its harmlessness and acceptable cost. It is often used for household purposes, such as removing fat from various kitchen items.
• Petroleum benzene characterized by a strong odor, is water-insoluble, but interacts well with carbon compounds. When working with it, you should adhere to safety measures, since it emits harmful fumes.
• Turpentine often used to dilute oily paints and varnishes or putty. It is a colorless transparent liquid that sometimes has a reddish tint and is highly flammable. Better to choose the cleaned version.

The third group includes the following substances:

• Methyl acetate solvents are mobile and toxic. They boil easily and evaporate quickly.
• Ethyl acetate products have a pleasant scent, slow boil and fast evaporation.
• Butyl acetate substances have a characteristic yellowish tint. They evaporate for a very long time, for this reason they are used in order to increase the drying time of varnish or paint.

• Amyl acetates have a lot in common with butyl acetate diluents. They are distinguished by a pungent odor and long-term evaporation.
• Acetone is fire hazardous, has a very unpleasant, pungent odor and is characterized by increased volatility.
• A mixture of solvents is used to dilute nitro varnishes. It is composed of esters. The composition of the solvents affects the surface to be painted. For example, rapidly evaporating diluents impart a turbidity to the resulting coating. If the solvent is characterized by long-term evaporation, then the coating will turn out to be beautiful, glossy and smooth.

In order not to get confused in a wide variety of solvents, manufacturers began to use numbering:

• P-4 is one of the most famous thinners. It is intended for thinning alkyd paints and emulsions containing a chlorinated polymer. It interacts well with paint; as a result of staining, a strong film is formed. It is also used as a degreaser, is flammable and highly volatile.
• P-6 is specially designed for thinning organosilicon and water-borne paints and varnishes. It consists of benzene (40%), butyl acetate (15%), butyl alcohol (15%) and ethyl alcohol (30%).

• 646 is a versatile technical solvent that is often used in a variety of industrial and domestic applications. It is characterized by the properties of a degreaser, as well as versatility. It has a characteristic yellowish tint, an unpleasant and pungent odor and is rapidly evaporating. It contains ethers, alcohols, ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons. If it gets on the painted surface, it will dissolve the paint very quickly, so you need to be very careful when applying it. The thinner imparts shine and smoothness to the surface after staining.
• 648 acts as a mixture that consists of butyl and ethyl alcohol, toluene and butyl acetate. It is ideal for removing scratches on nitro enamel coatings. It should be added gently and little by little to the paint to achieve the desired viscosity.

• 649 is an organic type liquid formed from esters, alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbons.It has a specific odor and is highly flammable. It is designed for diluting NTs brand enamels, allowing them to reach working viscosity.
• 1120 is the ideal solution for Rostex Super anti-corrosion primer. It allows you to forget about the constant clogging of the spray nozzle, the primer lays down quickly and comfortably, and after drying, the surface remains perfectly flat.
• 1032 is specially designed for alkyd paints for further application by spraying. It has a slight odor. After drying, the surface becomes even. It is also suitable for thorough cleaning of instruments after staining.

• PC 2 is presented in the form of a clear yellow liquid. It is characterized by rapid evaporation, since it contains xynol and white spirit. It can be used to dissolve pentaphthalic enamels, bituminous substances and oil paints. The disadvantages of the substance include high toxicity, as well as fire and explosion hazard.
• GTA 220 is a primer solvent widely used in industry.
• C2-80 / 120 is a gasoline product designed to dissolve organic compounds. It is also called "galosh" or BR-2. It belongs to hydrocarbon substances, since there are about 50% of them in the composition. It has a characteristic odor and is represented by a transparent liquid.

Manufacturers of solvents immediately carry out the packaging of products. Among the offered variety, you can choose both large volumes and small containers.

In order to save a little, it is more profitable to purchase products in large quantities. Manufacturers offer the possibility of purchasing diluents in drums that have a volume of 216 liters. In such amounts, industrial companies can buy.

Smaller companies can buy solvents in metal drums with screw plugs. This option is convenient to use due to the presence of a cork. It is designed for 50 liters.

Many manufacturers offer to buy solvents in cans. This container is made mainly of plastic, which has a positive effect on its weight. It has a handle for easy portability and a narrow neck that is hermetically sealed for strength and durability. It is ideal for transporting or storing various kinds of liquids. The canisters can be sized for 5, 10 and 20 liters.

The smallest package is a plastic bottle, which has a volume of 0.5, 1 or 5 liters. This option is in demand for domestic use.

To choose the right solvent for paints and varnishes, it is necessary to take into account the following recommendations of specialists:

• The choice of solvent depends on the paint layer and the weather conditions under which the surface is painted.
• When choosing a drying speed, consider the air temperature. For example, there should be a high speed in cold weather.
• It must be remembered that the rapid evaporation of solvents can be accompanied by a high level of spreading of paints and varnishes.

• The choice of thinner depends on the type of paint used. An incorrectly selected product can completely ruin the structure of the material.
• Before using the substance, you should read the instructions for its use and pay attention to the purpose for which it was made.
• The thinner has a positive effect on paint consumption. But you should be careful that a lot of solvent does not get on the surface to be painted, as this can ruin it.

Most thinners are for the following purposes:

• dilute paints that are highly concentrated or thickened;
• clean the surface of objects or clothing from paint stains;
• for washing the tools that were used when applying the paint.

The above capabilities of the diluents are basic, but they are used in other areas of the industry. For example, acetone is a good option for diluting naturally occurring resins, rubber, materials that include fat and wax. White spirit is an ideal solution for all types of paints and varnishes, and is also the best surface cleaner for tools and an excellent degreaser. To dissolve oil, grease or paraffin, gasoline or kerosene is perfect, sometimes you can use a hydrocarbon. For polar synthetic resins, esters must be used. To dilute nitrocellulose or polyester resin, alcohols are a good solution.

When added, it will allow you to give it its original look, since it will replace the dried base.

In order for the staining process to be carried out quickly and easily, it is necessary to adhere to several rules.

• Take only clean dishes for use. There should be no specks or remnants of previous paint in it. Before use, the dishes should be rinsed with water and thoroughly wiped dry.

• The most convenient container is cylindrical in shape and smooth walls. Such a container will allow you to mix the paint with the solvent as conveniently and thoroughly as possible.
• If it is necessary to dilute paints for which water is suitable, then the solvent should not exceed 10% of the total mass.
• For alkyd enamel, which is used outside, you can add thinner about 3% of the total amount of liquid, and for indoor use - 5%.

In most cases, Russian-made solvents are toxic, but they do an excellent job with their goals. For example, the well-known solvents 646 and 647 are designed to dilute nitro enamels. They are distinguished by an unpleasant odor, ease of evaporation, and also worsen the spreadability of paints and varnishes. They should not be used for delicate work. If you pay attention to a bottle of white spirit, you can see a sediment at the bottom, which indicates that this product is not environmentally friendly.

Russian company "Novbytkhim" is a well-known manufacturer of paints and varnishes and household chemicals. Thinners are in great demand, since they are of excellent quality and affordable prices. For example, "Thinner # 1" is a mixture of organic thinners that are suitable for various purposes in construction and industry.

When choosing a solvent manufacturer, it is worth considering for what purpose it is needed. For example, for artwork, it is better to purchase products. by Windsor & Newtonas it offers fast evaporating solvents that dilute the paint to the desired consistency. It is better to refuse technical white spirit.

Products are in demand among foreign manufacturers by Solvesso.

White spirit from brand Varsol is highly purified, has a low odor.

Company remedy Exxol has a low evaporation rate, but excellently dissolves various paints and varnishes.

Finnish Tikkurila brand offers a wide range of high quality solvents. The company provides safe substances, cares for the environment, manufacturing products in accordance with all international quality standards. She is the leader in the Russian market. Thinner "White Spirit 1050" is distinguished by a high level of purification and a low odor. It is excellent for thinning oil and alkyd paints and varnishes and is also an ideal degreaser.

Some customers use solvent as a solvent because it can also be used as both a degreaser and an insecticide. It has excellent properties and is sold at an affordable price that customers love. The solvent is suitable for removing varnish, paint, oil, rubber, oligomers and other paints and varnishes from the surface.

Today, there are many positive reviews about solvents, both foreign and domestic. All tools do an excellent job with the goals for which they are intended. If we talk about negative reviews, then it is worth noting that many thinners have an unpleasant pungent odor, and are also toxic to the human body. It is advisable to work with solvents in the open air or, if this is not possible, then it is necessary with an open window and in a respirator.

See the following video for the difference between solvents.