Acetates & Esters, High-Purity Solvents

Tertiary Butyl Acetate (TBAC)

Tertiary Butyl Acetate, often abbreviated as TBAC, is a unique chemical solvent characterized by its colorless appearance and camphor-like odor. As an ester with the molecular formula C6H12O2, it serves as a versatile intermediate in various chemical syntheses and industrial formulations. One of its most significant regulatory attributes is its status as a Volatile Organic Compound exempt solvent in several jurisdictions, including the United States, due to its negligible photochemical reactivity. This characteristic makes it highly desirable for manufacturers aiming to reduce the environmental impact of their products while maintaining high performance. TBAC exhibits moderate solubility in water but is miscible with most organic solvents, providing a balanced evaporation rate that bridges the gap between fast-evaporating solvents like acetone and slower ones like mineral spirits. Its chemical stability under standard conditions, combined with its distinct solvency power, positions Tertiary Butyl Acetate as a critical component in modern, environmentally compliant applications.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

VOC Exempt Status: Classified as a non-VOC in North America, allowing formulators to bypass strict emission limits without sacrificing technical performance.
Exceptional Solvency Power: Demonstrates broad compatibility with numerous resins, including acrylics, epoxies, alkyds, polyesters, and polyurethanes, ensuring consistent fluid properties.
Optimal Evaporation Profile: Offers a medium evaporation rate that improves leveling and flow in coatings while preventing drying defects like blushing or orange peel.
Enhanced Safety Profile: Features a higher flash point compared to low-boiling alternatives, which reduces the overall fire hazard during storage and industrial processing.
Low Toxicity: Exhibits lower acute toxicity and skin irritation potential than many traditional ketones or aromatic hydrocarbons used in industrial settings.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Weight: 116.16 g/mol with a molecular formula of C6H12O2, ensuring high purity and consistent performance in specialized chemical reactions.
Boiling Point and Density: Features a boiling point of 97.8 degrees Celsius and a specific gravity of 0.86, facilitating precise volumetric dosing.
Flash Point: Possesses a closed-cup flash point of approximately 4 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit), requiring explosion-proof equipment for safe handling.
Vapor Pressure: Maintains a vapor pressure of 41 mmHg at 25 degrees Celsius, contributing to its controlled evaporation and atmospheric presence.
Refractive Index: Displays a refractive index of 1.386, which is crucial for maintaining optical clarity in clear coats and transparent resins.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Industrial Coatings: Widely used in automotive refinishing, wood furniture finishes, and metal coatings to achieve smooth finishes and comply with environmental laws.
Adhesives and Sealants: Acts as a primary solvent in high-performance bonding agents, providing excellent wet-out properties and reliable bond strength across substrates.
Ink Formulations: Utilized in printing inks for packaging and commercial applications where fast-drying and low-odor characteristics are essential for production speed.
Electronic Cleaning: Employed as a degreasing agent and precision cleaner in electronic manufacturing due to its ability to remove oils without damaging components.
Chemical Intermediate: Serves as a building block in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty plasticizers in controlled chemical manufacturing environments