Industrial Uses of Heptane
Heptane, with the chemical formula C7H16, is labeled as a straight-chain alkane derived from petroleum. Its roles in industry vary greatly because of its versatile chemical properties. The Jacksonville ingredient supplier, Bell Chem, stocks this valuable chemical in its vast inventory. Read on to discover a few of the many ways heptane can enhance your business’s chemical inventory.
As a clear, odorless, liquid hydrocarbon, heptane is best recognized as the standard zero-point for the octane rating scale, which is seen on nearly every gasoline pump worldwide. Heptane readily combusts when placed under the vast amounts of pressure within a gasoline engine.
Heptane’s high flammability gives it properties necessary in many industries, including use as fuels. Heptane is a great fuel source for pressurized, outdoor liquid fuel stoves due to its hydrocarbon chemical makeup, which expends vast amounts of heat energy during hydrocarbon combustion.
Heptane acts as a thinner for rubber cement.
High schools, colleges, and universities all rely on heptane as a laboratory reagent in chemistry courses thanks to its isomers, which are reliable, nonpolar solvents. Heptane’s reactivity is extremely low with most other chemicals. Substances not readily dissolved in water will break chemical bonds in a heptane solution. An example of heptane’s versatility is the grease test spot in which a material containing a grease, wax, or oily substance is submerged and gently shaken in a heptane solution. This determines the material’s earlier presence of organic compounds.
Law enforcement and government agencies use heptane as a solvent in processing latent fingerprints. Heptane’s ease of preparation with a ninhydrin reagent protects the clarity and intensity of fingerprints without destroying writing ink. However, if the inks used in printing are not water based, heptane dissolves the ink.
The vulcanization of rubber utilizes heptane as a compounder. In the commercial manufacture of rubber cement, unvulcanized rubber is placed in a solvent of 70-90% heptane. Different grades of rubber cement are created depending on a higher or lower percentage of heptane within the solvent.
Bell Chem, the Jacksonville ingredient supplier, has hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including the versatile chemical heptane. 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.