Why Do Solvents Need to Evaporate?
Before getting into fast evaporating solvents, you may be wondering- why would solvents need to evaporate in the first place? During the extraction process, solvents are used to isolate a particular compound from a chemical or mixture of chemicals. After this step occurs, there may be an excess solvent that needs to be boiled away to leave the desired compound behind. Thus, fast evaporating solvents are advantageous because they speed up this process!
When Are Fast Evaporating Solvents Used?
Aside from the obvious benefit of shortening the length of time required to complete a chemical reaction, what other benefits do fast evaporating solvents have to offer? As it turns out, they have several uses beyond simple laboratory extractions.
First, fast evaporating solvents are quite useful in degreasing military jet and airliner engines. They efficiently cleanse these parts and prevent them from becoming oxidized or corroded when they are exposed to moisture. Additionally, these types of aircraft may only have a short period of time on the runway before they must take off again, so fast evaporating solvents are also helpful in that they work rapidly.
Another case in which fast evaporating solvents are beneficial is when an object that requires power in order to perform its necessary functions needs to be cleaned. A computer in a data processing hub is a great example of an object with this characteristic. A solvent that evaporates slowly may not be able to be administered without unplugging the equipment, which could end up being a huge obstacle. Conversely, fast evaporating solvents can be wiped onto the equipment while it is still working, because they rapidly dissipate into the air and will not damage the equipment. A fast-evaporating solvent clearly comes in handy in this type of situation!
What Are Some Examples of Fast Evaporating Solvents?
Finally, what solvents have the fastest evaporation rates? The following list contains several common fast evaporating solvents. The evaporation rates are listed in terms of BuAc (butyl acetate), which has an evaporation rate of 1.0.
- Acetone (relative rate of 5.7)
- Ethyl Acetate (relative rate of 4.1)
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (relative rate of 3.8)
- Isopropyl Acetate (relative rate of 3.0)
- Propyl Acetate (relative rate of 2.3)
Where Should You Buy Fast Evaporating Solvents?
Wondering where to purchase a fast evaporating solvent or solvent mixture? Look no further than BulkChemicals2Go! We offer several effective, industrial-strength solvents; plus, our customer support team is happy to answer any questions and help you find the perfect product. Please contact us today to learn more!