What are Solvents?

Solvents are substances, often liquid, that can be used to dissolve or isolate other chemical substances. They are used in a wide variety of products, such as pharmaceuticals, cleaning solutions, cosmetics, paints, and many more.

Fast evaporating solvents are solvents that readily evaporate into the air. They are useful in numerous circumstances, such as when trying to perform a chemical reaction in the shortest amount of time possible, when cleaning surfaces that must be washed quickly, or when seeking to eliminate the need to dry a surface after cleaning it.

List of Fast Evaporating Solvents and their Properties

The list of fast evaporating solvents (and products that incorporate fast evaporating solvents) on the market is extensive, and it can be overwhelming deciding which to use. This section of the blog post will give a concise list of fast evaporating solvents, their evaporation rate in relation to butyl acetate (which has an evaporation rate of 1.0), and some of their properties.

• Acetone

First up on the list of fast evaporating solvents is acetone (relative evaporation rate= 5.7). Acetone is not only fast evaporating; it also possesses a number of other useful properties. Acetone contains both polar and nonpolar parts, which affords it the ability to be a solvent for polar and nonpolar substances. Additionally, acetone is nontoxic. This attribute makes it a safe solvent to use in cosmetics and beauty products. Because it is fast evaporating, acetone is sometimes employed to help clean up oil spills. Out of this short list of fast evaporating solvents, acetone may be the most versatile!

• Ethyl Acetate

Ethyl acetate is the next chemical on this list of fast evaporating solvents (relative evaporation rate= 4.1). Ethyl acetate’s low odor, plus its ability to quickly evaporate, make it a great solvent for perfumes. It dissipates from the skin rapidly, leaving only the scent of the perfume behind. Ethyl acetate is also a great solvent due to its low toxicity and cost.

• Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)

Finally, MEK is another solution worthy of a spot on any list of fast evaporating solvents (relative evaporation rate= 3.8). MEK is often used in the production of resins and gums and is an ingredient in paints, lacquers, and cleaning agents. It is also an important ingredient in dry-erase board markers, as it helps the ink to flow from the pen to the whiteboard!

Did this List of Fast Evaporating Solvents Pique Your Interest

BulkChemicals2Go offers a variety of eco-friendly solvents formulated for industrial use. We can also create custom blends for those looking for a very specific solvent. Do you have any questions after reading over this list of fast evaporating solvents? Please contact us today!