OVEN THINNER / XYLENE (XYLENE)

  • Cas No: 1330-20-7
  • EINESC No: 215-535-7
  • Molecular Weight: 106.16 g/mol

Tin

-

Barrel

180 Kg

IBC

900 Kg

Pouring

5-25 Ton

Physical characteristics

  • General Properties:  Colorless liquid
  • Smell: Sharp, sweet
  • Density: 0.864 g/mL (20°C)
  • Boiling Point: 138.5 °C
  • Melting Point: -47.4 °C
  • Flash Point: 30 °C
  • Vapor Pressure: 650-944 Pa (20 ° C)
  • Refractive Index: 1.497 nD (20 °C)
  • Solubility (in water): Insoluble.

production

Xylene is generally obtained from crude oil or coal, just like toluene.

General features

Xylene or kiln thinner as it is popularly known; It is the name given to chemicals formed by the bonding of two methyl groups to a benzene ring. As can be seen above in their chemical structures, these methyl groups have different names and show different properties according to the carbon atoms to which they are attached.

They are called O-xylene when the methyl groups are bonded side by side to carbons (first in notation), M-xylene when the intermediates have one carbon atom (second in notation), and p-xylene when they are bonded completely opposite to each other (last in notation). It is the most valuable xylene isomer, especially since p-xylene can be oxidized to traflatic acid. Industrially sold oven thinner is usually a mixture of these isomers. All xylene types are colorless liquids and all are extremely flammable.

Usage areas

Xylene is a very widely used industrial chemical. Since it is a very good solvent, it is widely used in inks, adhesives, paints and varnishes. It can be used as a cleaner for some surfaces and is particularly suitable for preventing paraffin-related blockages in oil wells. Xylene, which is generally sold as a thinner, also contains some ethylbenzene.

It is very suitable for producing phthalates such as PET, which is used in the production of p-xylene plasticizers, which is a type of xylene. Therefore, its market value is very high and almost all of the produced p-xylene is used for this purpose. Apart from this, different xylene isomers can be used for special applications.

Safety Precautions and Toxicity

Xylene is similar to toluene in terms of toxicity. It has moderate acute toxicity and may cause effects such as nausea, dizziness and headache. In cases where higher concentrations are exposed, these effects become stronger. In chronic xylene exposure, central nervous system problems such as irritability, depression, sleep disorders and permanent damage to internal organs may occur. In addition, xylene is extremely irritating to the skin and eyes. Since it dissolves the oils in the tissue, it purifies the oils when it comes into contact with the skin and reduces the skin’s resistance to other chemicals. Therefore, when working with xylene, appropriate masks and gloves that will prevent contact with the tissue should be worn.

Xylene is also extremely flammable and forms flammable mixtures with air. Therefore, it should be stored in well-ventilated cool environments, in tightly closed containers; It should be kept away from all kinds of flame sources and high temperatures.