What is Isopar L?

Isopar L is a synthetic hydrocarbon solvent derived from refined petroleum distillates through a special treatment process, classified as an isoparaffinic solvent. Isopar L is a product name from ExxonMobil, representing a series of high-purity, low-odor hydrocarbon solvents. These solvents are widely used across various industries due to their excellent chemical stability, low toxicity, and relatively high flash points.

China's chemical companies possess strong capabilities in refining and chemical production, offering a variety of isoparaffinic solvents similar to the Isopar series. For example, Isopar L can be compared to domestic isododecane (IPC12), and other domestic isoparaffinic solvent series include IPC10, IPC12, IPC13, IPC16, and IPC20. 

These domestic solvents are typically designed for diverse applications, including coatings, inks, cleaners, personal care products, and the electronics industry.

Key Characteristics

• High Purity: Isopar L (IPC12) features very high purity, meaning it contains minimal impurities, ensuring consistent and predictable performance.

• Low Odor: Compared to many other petroleum-based solvents, Isopar L has a very low odor, making it highly popular in applications where low-odor solvents are essential.

• Chemical Stability: It has excellent chemical stability, making it resistant to reacting with other chemicals, which is crucial for many chemical processes and products.

• Safety: Isopar L has a relatively high flash point, meaning it only evaporates to form flammable vapors at higher temperatures, thereby enhancing safety during use.

• Environmental Properties: Although Isopar L is a petroleum-based solvent, its environmental impact is relatively low, partly due to its low content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Applications

1. Cleaners: Isopar L is commonly used as an ingredient in industrial and consumer cleaning products, especially in applications requiring low odor and high safety.

2. Solvent: In formulations of inks, paints, and varnishes, Isopar L serves as a solvent to adjust product viscosity and drying rates.

3. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Due to its low toxicity and low irritation potential, Isopar L is also used as a solvent or carrier liquid in cosmetics and personal care products.

4. Electronics Industry: It is used as a cleaning agent in the electronics manufacturing process to remove grease and impurities from circuit boards and other electronic components.

5. Industrial Processes: Isopar L is used as a reaction medium or extraction solvent in specific industrial processes, taking advantage of its excellent chemical stability.

Environmental and Health Considerations

Although Isopar L presents lower environmental and health risks compared to many other solvents, proper safety measures should still be taken during use. Avoid inhaling vapors, prevent prolonged skin contact, and ensure use in well-ventilated areas. Handling and disposal should comply with local environmental protection regulations to minimize potential environmental impact.

Please contact ZMPC for more information and to try our Isoalkane series.