Monographic: butyl diglycol

Butyl diglycol is a clear and quite volatile liquid that is miscible with most solvents. It's also called diglycol ether, 2-butoxiethoxi ethanol.

The main physical parameters of butyl diglycol are:

 

• Boiling point: 230 ºC
• Melting point: -66 ºC
• Flash point: 115 ºC
• Explosive Limits (% by volume in air): 0,7 (vol%) - 5,3 (% vol)
• Relative density (water = 1): 0.955 g/cm3
• Relative vapor density (air = 1): Not determined.
• Ignition temperature: 210 ºC

At the industry level, butyl diglycol is introduced in different sectors:

 

• In the sector of paints and varnishes it's used as a solvent, solubilizing oily residues and reducing the surface tension of water.
• It is used as a raw material in printing inks and additives, and as a solvent in enamels and lacquers.
• It is used as a raw material in the formulation of household and industrial detergents and cleaners.
• It is also used in the production of brake and hydraulic fluids.

In the sector of paints and varnishes it's used as a solvent, solubilizing oily residues and reducing the surface tension of water.

Butyl diglycol is a chemically stable product under normal conditions. According to the criteria of international transport regulations (ADR/RID/IMDG/IMO/IATA/ICAO) is not considered a hazardous material. However, its handling and storage must take into account the following conditions to proceed properly:

• To ensure a safety handling of butyl diglycol it is important to manipulate it according to good hygiene and safety practices. We should avoid prolonged contact with skin, eyes and clothing, and thoroughly wash your hands and clothes after handling it.
  
  
• To ensure a safety storage is important to keep the product in a container between 15 and 25ºC and place it in a cool, well-ventilated and protected from light area. It can react with oxidants and form peroxides with atmospheric oxygen, so we should avoid storing it in containers of aluminum or copper, and place it away from oxidizing agents, acids, bases, metals and peroxides. The recommended packaging materials are stainless steel, polypropylene and plastic.

Click here to see how BRUGUÉS distributes butyl diglycol, to request more information about the product or to make and order.