Cellosolve Acetate (2-Ethoxyethyl Acetate)
Acetates & Esters

Cellosolve Acetate (2-Ethoxyethyl Acetate)

Cellosolve Acetate, chemically identified as 2-Ethoxyethyl Acetate (CAS: 111-15-9), is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, ester-like odor. It belongs to the glycol ether acetate family, produced by the esterification of 2-ethoxyethanol with acetic acid. This compound is highly regarded in the chemical industry for its “dual-functional” nature, possessing both ether and ester groups. This structure enables it to dissolve a remarkably broad range of substances, including oils, resins, gums, and nitrocellulose.

One of its most significant technical attributes is its slow evaporation rate, which is critical for applications requiring superior flow, leveling, and gloss. While it has historically been a staple in high-performance coatings and the semiconductor industry, it is important to note that Cellosolve Acetate is classified as a reproductive toxicant. Consequently, its use is strictly regulated in many regions, often leading to its replacement by propylene-series (P-series) glycol ethers in consumer-facing applications.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

* Acts as a versatile and powerful solvent for a wide range of materials.
* Enhances the flow, leveling, and gloss of various coatings and finishes.
* Functions as a retarder solvent, promoting superior film formation and reduced defects.
* Evaporates completely without leaving any residue, ensuring clean surfaces.
* Exhibits excellent solvent power for numerous resins, including nitrocellulose and epoxies.
* Offers high dilution ratios with various hydrocarbon thinners, aiding formulation flexibility.
* Features a mild, pleasant ester-like odor, suitable for diverse applications.
* Widely used in lacquers, paints, varnishes, printing inks, and dye formulations.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

* Purity, % by Mass: 99.0 min
* Colour, Hazen: 10 max
* Density @ 20°C, g/cm³: 0.970 – 0.975
* Water Content, % by Mass: 0.10 max
* Acidity (as Acetic Acid), % by Mass: 0.03 max
* Distillation Range (10-95%), °C: 153 – 158
* Flash Point (PMCC), °C: 51
* Boiling Point @ 760mmHg, °C: 156
* Refractive Index @ 20°C: 1.403 – 1.406
* Molecular Weight: 132.16

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

* Functions as a high-boiling true solvent in lacquers, particularly nitrocellulose systems, to enhance flow, leveling, and retard blushing.
* Utilized in multicolored lacquers to prevent the premature breakdown of the wet film, ensuring uniform application and finish.
* Acts as a coalescing agent in emulsion paints, promoting the formation of a continuous and durable film.
* Serves as an effective solvent for various ink formulations, dyes, and wood stain applications.
* Employed broadly as a retarder solvent in conjunction with other common solvents to optimize evaporation rates and prevent defects.

Key Sectors

Target Industries

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