Importance & Uses of Trichloroethylene (C2HCI3)- TCE

What is Trichloroethylene (C2HCI3)?

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile, chlorinated hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C2HCl3. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. There is a widespread need for a degreasing agent that is versatile and effective. For more than a century Trichloroethylene has been widely used and considered as an established best degreasing agent.

Trichloroethylene is also known as – Ethylene Trichloride, Trichlor, Tryke, TCE

Trichloroethylene is a relatively non-flammable, multipurpose chlorinated solvent with high stability and solvency. It is a clear, colorless liquid with somewhat a sweet odor and burning taste. It evaporates quickly into the air and miscible with most organic liquids.

Overview of Trichloroethylene as a Degreasing Agent

As against certain confusions and mix-ups with Trichloroethane and other similar chemicals, TCE is manufactured and used extensively in most developed nations.

Chemical Properties of Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3)

Trichloroethylene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon with significant industrial applications, particularly as a solvent and degreasing agent.

• It produces glycolic acid when it combines with alkalis under pressure at 150 °C.
• It combines with sulphuric acid to create mono-chloroacetic acid.
• Molecular Weight: 131.39 g/mol
• Boiling Point: 87.2°C (188.96°F)
• Melting Point: -73°C (-99.4°F)

Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3) is a versatile and powerful solvent with significant industrial importance.

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Physical Properties of Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3)

Trichloroethylene is a volatile, colorless liquid with a distinctive sweet odor. It is widely used in various industrial applications, particularly for degreasing and as a solvent.

Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3) physical properties, such as its high density, moderate boiling point, and significant solubility in organic solvents, make it a highly effective solvent for industrial applications.

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Uses of Trichloroethylene

1. Metal degreasing: Metal degreasing or degreasing is a process of removal of grease and oil from a surface. It is widely used to remove oils and oil-borne soils from objects that have been stamped, machined, welded, die-cast, etc.
2. Dry-cleaning: Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a solvent other than water. Trichloroethylene has superior degreasing properties. Because of its superior properties, it is used by dry cleaners.
3. Cleaning of glass, medical equipment & batteries: Due to its strong solvency, it is widely used in industrial cleaning applications, particularly for glass, medical equipment, and batteries.
4. Drying electronic parts: It is also used in drying electronics parts. If the electronic parts are not dried then there are chances of a short circuit in the boards. So Trichloroethylene is used in drying the electronic parts
5. Removal of solder flux & contaminants: Before soldering the electronic components onto boards we use a chemical agent name FLUX because it removes any oxides and impurities The main reason for removing flux from your board is that it causes low voltage insulation
6. Extraction solvent for oils, fats, waxes: Trichloroethylene has been widely used and considered as the best degreasing agent for extraction solvent for oils, fats, waxes
7. Household products: It can also be found in some household products such as glues, adhesives, paint removers, spot removers, rug cleaning fluids, paints, metal cleaners, and typewriter correction fluid.

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Trichloroethylene (C2HCl3) is used in various Industries

1. Industrial Applications Degreasing Agent: Its effectiveness in removing oils, greases, and waxes from metal surfaces makes it indispensable for preparing parts for further processing, such as painting or coating.
2. Commercial and Consumer Applications: Trichloroethylene is used in the formulation of adhesives, paints, varnishes, and coatings due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances.
3. Industrial Applications Vapor Degreasing: Trichloroethylene is heated to produce vapors that condense on metal parts, dissolving contaminants and providing thorough cleaning.
4. Textile Industry for Dry Cleaning: Trichloroethylene is used in the dry cleaning industry to remove stains and soils from fabrics effectively. Its strong solvent properties make it suitable for cleaning delicate and complex textiles without causing damage.
5. Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Formulation Ingredient: Trichloroethylene is used as a solvent in the formulation of paints, coatings, and adhesives. Its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances makes it valuable in creating uniform and effective formulations.

Trichloroethylene has been a highly effective and versatile solvent, particularly valued for its degreasing capabilities in industrial settings.

Applications of Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene is a highly effective solvent with a broad range of applications, particularly in industrial cleaning and chemical synthesis. Trichloroethylene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent. Its unique chemical properties make it highly effective in various applications across multiple industries.

1. Industrial Applications: Trichloroethylene is used in both vapor and liquid degreasing processes. In vapor degreasing, metal parts are exposed to Trichloroethylene vapors, which condense on the cooler parts, dissolving oils, greases, and other contaminants. The parts are then dried, leaving a clean, grease-free surface.
2. Commercial and Consumer Applications: Trichloroethylene is used in the formulation of adhesives, paints, varnishes, and coatings due to its ability to dissolve various resins and polymers.

Processes Involving Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene is utilized in various industrial and commercial processes due to its excellent solvent properties. The processes primarily leverage its ability to dissolve organic materials and its non-flammability.

1. Degreasing and Cleaning: Vapor degreasing involves heating Trichloroethylene to create vapor and condenses on cooler metal parts. This process effectively removes oils, greases, and other contaminants from the surfaces.
2. Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives: Trichloroethylene is incorporated as a solvent in the formulation of paints, coatings, and adhesives, helping to dissolve other components and create a uniform mixture.
3. Chemical Synthesis and Processing: Trichloroethylene serves as a solvent in various chemical reactions, providing a stable medium for synthesizing compounds.
4. Hydrofluorocarbon Production: Trichloroethylene is used as an intermediate in the chemical synthesis of hydrofluorocarbons.
5. Adhesives and Paints Formulation: Trichloroethylene is mixed with resins and polymers to create solutions for adhesives, paints, and coatings.
6. Extraction and Purification: Helps purify products by dissolving impurities and allowing them to be separated out.

Trichloroethylene plays a critical role in various industrial processes due to its excellent solvent properties.

Bansal Trading Company is a trusted Trichloroethylene chemical distributor and supplier

Bansal Trading Company takes pride in being a premier distributor and supplier of Trichloroethylene serving a wide array of industries with top-notch chemical solutions. Leveraging our strong network and strategic partnerships with reputable manufacturers, we ensure seamless availability of Trichloroethylene products, enabling our clients to meet their production requirements efficiently.

Conclusion: Bansal Trading Company has established itself as a leading distributor and supplier of Trichloroethylene (TCE) by consistently delivering high-quality products and exceptional service. Bansal Trading Company is dedicated to supporting your business with the best Trichloroethylene chemical distributor and supplier in the industry.

TCE is a solvent that is widely produced in bulk. We at Bansal Trading Company are the largest distributors for Trichloroethylene in India for quality products made by DCW Ltd. We represent them exclusively in North India for last more than 50 years.