Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon Solvents

The physical properties of the Isopar grade of isoparaffinic solvents produced by Exxon chemical are shown in Table 15.2. The Isopar series of eight solvents cover a distillation range of 98-3H°C, have flash points from 18°F to a high of 239°F, have low surface tensions in the range of 20-30 dynes/cm, and recommended allowable vapor exposure threshold limit values (TLV) of 300-400 ppm. The isoparaffinic solvents have inherently low solvency for most resins and plastic materials (no Hansen polarity or hydrogen 

Source information taken from Exxon (form numbers 2(XX)2 [1/93], 4(X)20 [3/94]) and Shell (form numbers 1483 [1994], 1056 [1994], and 1219 [1994]) literature. 

The dearomatized aliphatic hydrocarbons sold by Exxon under the trademark Exxsol are listed in Table 15.3. These solvents boil in the range of 159-316°C, have moderately high flash points, low surface tensions, low evaporation rates, and high (300 ppm) occupational exposure limits (OEL). The presence of high cycloparaffin (naphthene) content in the Exxsols improves its solvency for certain resins. 

The Isopar isoparaffinic hydrocarbon blends sold by Exxon (Table 15.2) have low odor, selective solvency, good oxidation stability, low electrical conductivity, and low skin irritation. The Isopar solvents are well suited for the manufacture of electrostatic copying fluids, odor-free paints, waterless hand cleaners, and many proprietary household products. The low solvency of these isoparaffinic hydrocarbons for most resins and plastics minimizes any marring of surfaces to which the proprietary formulations are applied. The Isopar 

Source data compiled from product literature of the Exxon Chemical Company. 

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