{"id":470,"date":"2019-09-05T21:15:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T18:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.tophim.com.ua\/?p=470"},"modified":"2024-06-28T12:54:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T09:54:47","slug":"iaki-rozchynnyky-naychastishe-vykorysto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tophim.com.ua\/en\/iaki-rozchynnyky-naychastishe-vykorysto\/","title":{"rendered":"What are solvents and where are they used"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Solvents take part in many fields of human activity, such as: chemical, industrial, automotive, pharmaceutical, laboratory, household, etc.<\/p>\n

In today’s article, we will consider in detail what a solvent is, types of solvents, as well as areas of their use.<\/p>\n

What is a solvent?<\/h2>\n

Solvents<\/strong> are chemical compounds capable of having a dissolving effect on various substances, forming a homogeneous system of variable composition with them.<\/p>\n

These materials are often used to bring mixtures to the desired consistency, degrease surfaces and clean tools from various types of contamination.<\/p>\n

These products are single-component or component systems of volatile organic liquids. Solvents are used to dissolve film formers or to dilute ready-made solutions. The most common solvent in nature is ordinary water, but in the paint industry this solvent is mainly used in the production of water-dispersion paints, primers and varnishes. Among solvents for paints, enamels and varnishes, organic solvents have become much more widespread.<\/p>\n

Basic physical and chemical properties of solvents<\/h2>\n

The main feature of solvents is their ability to convert various substances into a liquid state without changing their chemical nature. For example, with the help of a solvent, it is possible to give a liquid state to various solid materials, resins, and thick paste-like products at ordinary room temperature for some time. This determined the main directions of application of these materials both for industrial purposes and in everyday life.
\nAlthough no chemical reactions occur during dissolution, this process is not simple. The interaction of a substance with a solvent occurs at the molecular level and is largely determined by the features of their elementary structure.
\nDuring dissolution, the bonds between individual molecules of the pure component are destroyed and the forces of their interaction with the solvent substance are revealed. At the same time, the very nature of the interactions that arise largely depends on the properties of the molecules of each of them. Different combinations can create bonds of different nature – ionic, dipole, hydrogen. Therefore, the selection of the most suitable solvent for a specific material is not always a simple task.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Types of solvents<\/h2>\n

Before learning about the areas of use, it is worth understanding what solvents are! Therefore, we will consider the types of solvents and their examples.
\nAll solvents that are widely used in various industries can be divided into two large groups:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Organic<\/strong> – the most popular group of solvents, are volatile chemical substances of an organic type that have the ability to dissolve various types of materials.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Organic solvents can be classified as follows:<\/p>\n

    By degree of volatility:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Volatile<\/strong> – an example of organic solvents of this type is turpentine. These materials are mostly used to dissolve oil paints, enamels and varnishes.<\/li>\n
    • Medium-volatile<\/strong> – used for acrylic and oil paints most often. Examples of such solvents are kerosene, as well as other materials based on it.<\/li>\n
    • Volatile<\/strong> – examples of solvents are white spirit, gasoline, and solvent. They are used for diluting and dissolving acrylic and oil paints, varnishes and enamels. This type of solvent should be handled very carefully, because due to their volatility, they can be explosive, and a large amount of their vapors can be toxic to human health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      By chemical nature:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Hydrocarbons<\/strong> – represent hydrocarbons, as well as their complexes. They can be used effectively with lubricants, fats, waxes and resins.<\/li>\n
      • Alcoholic<\/strong> – these solvents are based on alcohol (methyl, ethyl, butyl, etc.). In practice, they are used for nitrocellulose and polyester resins.<\/li>\n
      • Complex esters<\/strong> – have a solubilizing effect on synthetic resins and wax. This type includes butyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, etc.<\/li>\n
      • Ketones<\/strong> are types of organic solvents that have a carbonyl group linked to two hydrocarbon radicals. An example of a ketone is acetone. They are used to dissolve resins, polyacrylates and to clean (degrease) surfaces.<\/li>\n
      • Halogens<\/strong> – such substances contain halogens of such substances as bromine, chlorine, iodine, etc. For example, trichlorethylene, methylene chloride, dichloromethane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        2. Inorganic<\/strong> – are a mixture of water and electrolyte compounds, such as: sulfur and phosphorus salts, ammonia, etc. They have high resistance and are mostly used in the paint industry.<\/p>\n

        All types of solvents have their advantages and disadvantages. However, it should be noted that organic solvents have mostly gained popularity in Ukraine, while inorganic solvents have gained popularity in European countries.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

        Fields of application of solvents<\/h2>\n

        A solvent is a substance capable of having a dissolving effect on one or another type of material. Often, the solvent is also used to dilute the material to the required consistency.<\/p>\n

        It is because of these functions that the solvent is widely used in many areas of production and in everyday life.<\/p>\n

        Use of solvents in industry<\/h3>\n

        Due to its properties, any solvent can be used in one or another industry, for example:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Paint<\/strong> – a number of solvents are used for the production of various types of paint and varnish materials, as well as for their dilution to the necessary and convenient consistency for application to the surface.<\/li>\n
        • Machine building<\/strong> – here the solvent can be used for washing and cleaning engines and mechanisms.<\/li>\n
        • Chemical<\/strong> – during chemical reactions, a solvent is also used, an example of this is the synthesis of polymers, as well as the extraction of components from reaction mixtures.<\/li>\n
        • Laboratory<\/strong> – here the solvent can be used for chromatography and histological studies.<\/li>\n
        • Cosmetic<\/strong> – a non-toxic solvent can be part of cosmetic products, in addition, the extraction process can be carried out with the help of a solvent.<\/li>\n
        • Food<\/strong> – such a solvent as butyl acetate is used to obtain flavorings and fruit essences due to its low toxicity.<\/li>\n
        • Printing<\/strong> – in this industry, the most common solvent is a solvent that has found a special place in this industry, because it is used for printing inks that are resistant to weather conditions and are widely used for outdoor advertising.<\/li>\n
        • Automotive<\/strong> solvent is used for the production of auto chemicals and auto cosmetics.<\/li>\n
        • Pharmaceutical<\/strong> – soluble substances can be used to create drugs, such as: ascorbic acid, antibiotics, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Use of solvents in everyday life<\/h3>\n

          For household purposes, the solvent is most often used to clean surfaces from various contaminants. It is used to remove accidental stains, drips and drops from paint and varnish after painting works, as well as to clean tools.<\/p>\n

          The solvent is also widely used to degrease the surface before applying paint and varnish material. This approach provides an excellent level of adhesion between the surface and LFM, which in turn significantly increases the wear resistance and durability of the coating.<\/p>\n

          What should be a quality solvent?<\/h2>\n

          A solvent is a material that is widely used for dissolving, diluting, degreasing and cleaning. To get a good result from any of the listed processes, you need to be able to distinguish a high-quality solvent from a fake one.<\/p>\n

          High-quality solvents are those that have the following properties:<\/p>\n