methyl acetate uses

Eastman solvents—Technical tip
Using Eastman methyl acetate in cleaning applications
Introduction

Considerations

Eastman Chemical Company, the world’s leading producer of methyl acetate, offers this solvent in two grades to suit a variety of application needs:

Wide formulation latitude

• Regular (industrial) grade offers a minimum assay of 96%, a maximum methanol content of 2.5%, and a maximum water content of 1.5%.
• High purity grade offers a minimum assay of 99.5%, a maximum methanol content of 0.10%, and a maximum water content of 0.05%.
In many applications, Eastman methyl acetate can be an effective replacement for acetone and other fast-evaporating solvents. Strength—assay
Methanol
Water
Acidity as acetic acid
Color, PCS

Some common cleaning applications include:
• Universal cleaner
• Low-VOC and environmental cleaners
• Aerosol carburetor cleaners
• Paint gun cleaners
• Cleaners for printing inks

Table 1 Sales specifications

Property

Eastman methyl acetate can be used alone or in easily blended formulations to optimize cleaning efficiency.
Because methyl acetate is miscible with most organic solvents, it finds use in a variety of cleaning applications, including automotive, aerospace, marine, and industrial.

Eastman methyl acetate

Eastman methyl acetate, high purity

96.0% min.
2.5% max.
1.5% max.
0.15% max.
5 max.

99.5% min.
0.10% max.
0.05% max.
0.05% max.
5 max.

• Cleaners for industrial wipes

Regulatory and VOC-exempt status
Concerns for work place safety and the environment have led to the deselection of chlorinated solvents in many applications. In the United States, methyl acetate was added to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of volatile organic compound (VOC) on the basis that these compounds have been determined to have negligible photochemical reactivity. Methyl acetate is relatively nontoxic, nonreactive, and readily biodegradable, making it useful in environmentally friendly formulations.

Fast evaporation rate
Fast drying is often a key performance requirement in cleaning applications. A slow-drying solvent can impede the cleaning process, adding additional labor cost. In addition, slow-drying solvents can attract airborne contaminants and leave residues that negate the effectiveness of the cleaning processes.

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Eastman solvents—Technical tip
Using Eastman methyl acetate in cleaning applications (Continued)

Table 2 shows physical properties of methyl acetate versus other fast-evaporating solvents. Methyl acetate evaporates faster than MEK and ethyl acetate, allowing its use as a replacement for those solvents in applications where VOC reduction is required. Methyl acetate is similar to acetone in evaporation rate, VOC exemption, and non-HAP status but offers a higher flash point and hydrophobic property.

The hydrophobic nature of methyl acetate can be a key performance criteria in cleaning applications where moisture-related problems can damage or corrode parts, leading to defects or rejects. For example, it can be used in automotive and aviation applications prior to coating or painting parts.

Table 2 Physical properties of methyl acetate vs. other fast-evaporating solvents

MEK
Evaporation rate

a

Acetone

Ethyl acetate

Eastman methyl acetate, HP

78-93-3

CAS number

Methylene chloride 75-09-2

67-64-1

141-78-6

79-20-9

3.8

14.5

6.3

4.1

6.2

Azeotropes, BP °C

73.4

38.3

None

70.4

56.1

Boiling point @ 760 mm Hg °F

175

102–106

132–135

168–173

132.4–136.7

Electrical resistance, megohms

0.2

1.5