Glycol Ether Uses Across Industries
Glycol ether has been considered a high-performance industrial solvent since the 1960s. Divided into two categories, ethylene glycol (e-series glycol ethers) is the end result of an ethylene oxide reaction, while propylene glycol (p-series) is derived from propylene oxide. These categories greatly differentiate glycol ether’s uses with e-series glycol ethers used in cosmetics, dyes, pharmaceuticals, skin care products, and water-based paints. P-series glycol ethers are generally used in cleaners and paints. Industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem would like to introduce a few of the many uses of glycol ethers across industries.
Cleaner
Glycol ether’s low toxicity and reduction of surface tension give it key status as a detergent and soap solvent, as it easily removes stubborn build-up. With a fast evaporation rate, items and surfaces are ready to use quickly. Glycol ether can be found in carpet cleaner, floor cleaner, oven cleaner, and window and glass cleaner.
Coalescent
Film integrity increases for latex paints in architectural and industrial maintenance with the addition of glycol ether.
Coating Agent
Amine-solubized water-based coatings benefit from glycol ether’s complete water solubility, decreased evaporation rate, extreme coupling ability, high flash point, and low surface tension. Aerospace, architectural, automotive, coil, and construction industries rely on glycol ether for these abilities.
General Solvent
In agriculture, both herbicides and insecticides benefit from the solvency of glycol ether. Acrylics, alkyds, epoxies, gum, nitrocellulose, perfume, polyesters, and polyurethanes also maintain complete solvency with glycol ether. Glycol ether enhances the glossiness of products and flow-out of lacquers.
Graphic Arts
Glycol ether cures quickly in acrylates, non-ractives, and photoinitiators. When added to ink, it thins the consistency, leading to a lower viscosity ink.
Oil Slick Dispersant
During oil spills, such as the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon oil spill, glycol ether plays a role as an ingredient in an oil slick dispersant. Dispersants act as detergents on oil, breaking the slick into droplet-sized particles to dilute throughout the water.
Rubber Modification
Glycol ether easily infiltrates rubber and plastic products, changing the physical properties of those materials.
Bell Chem is an industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including glycol ether. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.