Is Acetone dangerous to use ?

What is Acetone

Acetone is a colorless and highly flammable manufactured liquid. It has a distinctive fruity or mint-like odor and a pungent taste. It is also found naturally in plants, trees, volcanic gases, and forest fires, and as a by-product of the breakdown of body fat. It is found in vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfillsites.
Acetone is used as a solvent to dissolve other substances, such as paints, varnishes, lacquers, fats, oils, waxes, resins, printing inks, plastics, and glues. It is used to make plastics, fibers, drugs, rayon, photographic film, smokeless powder, and other chemicals. It is also used for cleaning and drying precision parts.

Household and consumer products that contain acetone include fingernail polish remover, particle board, paint remover, liquid or paste waxes and polishes, detergent, cleaning products, and rubber cement.

How might one be exposed to acetone?

You can be exposed to acetone by breathing it, ingesting it, or absorbing it through your skin. Exposure can occur if you smoke cigarettes, or breathe second-hand cigarette smoke. You can also be exposed if you are exposed to isopropyl alcohol, which has medical and solvent uses, because isopropyl alcohol changes to acetone in the body.

At home, you can be exposed to acetone by using nail polish remover, household cleaners, paints, adhesives, rubber cement, particle board, or other products that contain acetone. You can be exposed by drinking water or eating food containing acetone. Exposure can occur if you live near a landfill site that contains acetone, near busy roads, or near other facilities such as incinerators that release acetone emissions.

At work, you can be exposed to acetone if you work at a facility that manufactures paints, plastics, chemicals, artificial fibers, and shoes. You can also be exposed if you work with paints, solvents, glues, and commercial cleaning products.

How can acetone affect health?

Exposure to high levels of acetone can cause death, coma, unconsciousness, seizures, and respiratory distress. It can damage your kidneys and the skin in your mouth.

Breathing moderate-to-high levels of acetone for short periods of time can cause nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation. It can also cause intoxication, headaches, fatigue, stupor, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, increased pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, and shortening of the menstrual cycle in women.

Breathing highly concentrated acetone vapors can irritate the respiratory tract, and burn your eyes. Skin contact with acetone can irritate or damage your skin.

Exposure to acetone can also cause low blood pressure, bronchial irritation, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and an increased need to urinate.

What should I do if one is exposed to acetone?

If you breathe acetone, move to a place with fresh air. If the person exposed has trouble breathing, get medical help immediately.
If acetone is on your skin, wash with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Take off any clothes or shoes with acetone on them. If your symptoms are very bad, get medical help.
If you get acetone in your eyes, flush your eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention promptly.
If you drink acetone, get medical attention immediately.

What factors limit use or exposure to acetone?

At work, it is best to have good ventilation. A mask can be worn for protection. Your manager or safety person can suggest the best protective masks to wear. Wear boots, gloves, a lab coat, apron or coveralls to prevent skin contact. Goggles or a face shield can protect you from accidental acetone splashes. Workplaces where acetone can be a problem should have an eye wash fountain or quick-drench system.
At home, limit exposure by staying away from cigarette smoke. Avoid solvents such as nail polish remover, paints and cleaning products containing acetone.

Click here to view msds for Acetone

Where to Buy Acetone online in the UK

How to use Acetone safely

What is Acetone

Acetone is a clear, colorless, low-boiling, flammable and volatile liquid characterized by rapid evaporation and a faintly aromatic, sweetish odor. It readily mixes with most organic solvents and mixes completely with water.

Common uses for Acetone:

  • Nail varnish remover
  • Nail extension remover
  • cosmetic products
  • Pharmaceutical applications
  • Laboratory reagent
  • Paint remover formulations
  • Solvent
  • Cleaner & Degreaser

How to use Acetone safely

Acetone, also called dimethyl ketone, is one of the ketone group of solvents that also includes methyl ethyl ketone. Mechanics, painters, and fiberglass workers are frequent users of acetone for various purposes in the shop, and many people are familiar with its pleasant sweet-smelling odor. Acetone is an excellent solvent for oils and greases. It is often used in the electronics industry for degreasing and cleaning of precision electronic parts. It is also used in the formulation of lacquers, rubber cements, cleaning fluids, and paint removers, as well as the manufacture of methacrylic and epoxy resins. Acetone can also absorb 22 times its volume of acetylene gas, which permits safe and economical shipment of acetylene in cylinders.

Acetone is one of the least toxic of the many organic solvents used in the work place. Its toxicity is low for both acute and chronic exposures. However, prolonged inhalation of high concentrations of acetone vapor causes irritation of the respiratory tract, headache, loss of memory, and in extreme cases, unconsciousness. Other symptoms of acetone intoxication include dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness. Continued skin contact may produce a mild form of dermatitis.

Control Vapor Concentrations: Acetone vapor in work areas should be maintained at or below the Threshold Limit Value of 750 PPM (averaged during an 8-hour workday), with a maximum Short Term Exposure Limit (defined as 15 minutes) no higher than 1000 PPM. For most operations, vapor can be kept at safe levels by enclosing the operation, by ventilating, or both. Opening windows or doors is often adequate for most small uses. Local exhaust may be needed with larger operations in order to capture the vapors at the source and keep them out of the breathing zone.

Wear PPE: Employees engaged in routine handling of acetone should wear milled butyl rubber gloves and rubber aprons for protection against skin contact. Chemical goggles should be worn where necessary. When complete face protection is necessary, a face shield should be worn.

Fire Prevention: Acetone is a serious fire hazard and can ignite with only a 2.6% concentration in the air. Water solutions of acetone are also highly flammable; a solution of 10 percent acetone in water has a flash point of about 80 F (27C). All sources of ignition, including spark-producing mechanisms or operations should be eliminated in areas where acetone is stored, handled, or used. Vapor proof electrical systems should also be installed (Class 1 – Division 1). Fire extinguishers for acetone fires include foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemical. Water used on an acetone fire should be in the form of a spray or fog in order to prevent spreading the fire.

First Aid: If a person has inhaled small amounts of acetone vapor and exhibits any of the symptoms of acetone intoxication, they should be moved to fresh air and the effects will often disappear in a few hours. If large amounts have been inhaled, the person should be moved to fresh air and medical assistance immediately summoned. If breathing has stopped or respiration is weak; artificial respiration should be given. If splashed in the eyes, the eyes should be irrigated immediately with large quantities of running water for at least 15 minutes. An evaluation by a physician as soon as possible is recommended. Skin contaminated with acetone should be washed with soap and water, and any contaminated clothing removed.

Click here to view msds for Acetone

Where to Buy Acetone online in the UK

What is Cyclopentanone and what is it used for ?

cyclopentanone

What is Cyclopentanone

Cyclopentanone is a clear colourless liquid organic compound with a peppermint-like odour and is a cyclic ketone. It is a flammable compound with vapour heavier than air. It is produced from adipic acid by heating to 285–295C in the presence of barium hydroxide.
Cyclopentanone is an intermediate used in the production of rubber chemicals, insecticides, biologicals and pharmaceuticals.

Properties of cyclopentanone

  • Synonyms: Cyclopentanone; ketocyclopentane; adipic ketone; Cyclopentan-1-one; Dumasin; Ketopentamethylene; oxocyclopentane;
  • Formula: C5H8O
  • CAS No: 120–92–3
  • EINECS No: 204–435–9
  • Purity: >99%
  • Appearance: Clear colourless liquid
  • Molar mass: 84.12 g/mol
  • Density: 0.95 g/cm3
  • Solubility:almost insoluble in water (9g/L)

    cyclopentanone structure

  • Melting point: –58.2 C
  • Boiling point: 130.6 oC
  • Flash point: 26 C
  • Autoignition temperature: 445 C
  • Refractive index: 1.432–1.438
  • Relative vapour density (air=1): 2.3
  • Vapour pressure: 14 mm Hg @25C
  • Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient: log Kow= 0.24 (est)

Where to Buy cyclopentanone online

The composition of cyclopentanone consists of C 71.39%, H 9.59% and O 19.02%. Cyclopentanone has a vapour which is heavier than air making it a dangerous environment to work in. The substance easily polymerizes under the influence of acids. It is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohols, acetone, ether and most organic solvents. It reacts with oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide.

Uses for Cyclopentanone:

  • Used in production of cylopentanone derivatives for use in the perfume industry eg Cyclopentylamine, Cyclopentanol and jasmine-fragrant material.
  • Manufacture of insecticides and pesticides.
  • Used in the production of synthetic resins and rubber adhesives.
  • Intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Laboratory reagent.
  • Used as a thinner for epoxies.
  • As a solvent it is used in paint and varnish removers, as dry cleaning agent and for oil extraction.

Health & Safety:

Symbol – Xi
Risk phrases: R10 Flammable. R36/38 Irritating to eyes and skin.
Safety phrases: S23 Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapou­r/spray.
UN Hazard Class: 3
UN Packing Group: III

For full details see MSDS for cylopentanone

.

Where to Buy cyclopentanone online

What is Lead Tetroxide / Red Lead and what is it used for ?

lead tetroxide

WHAT IS LEAD TETROXIDE

Lead tetroxide commonly called Red Lead Oxide is an orange or red coloured powder. It is a water-insoluble compound that is prepared by the oxidation of metallic Lead or of litharge (Lead monoxide). It is a useful ingredient for the battery, glass & ceramic industry and it occupies an important place in the paint industry for its rust inhibiting character. Paint made with Red Lead is commonly used to protect iron and steel from rusting. Red Leads are utilised in a wide range of applications, such as battery manufacture, ceramics, anti-corrosive coatings, crystal glass and mining.

Properties of Lead Tetroxide

  • Other names: Lead Tetroxide; Lead(II,IV) oxide; Red Lead oxide; minium; triplumbic tetroxide; Orange lead; Paris lead; Pigment red 105; Plumboplumbic oxide; Lead tetraoxide;
  • Formula: Pb3O4 / 2PbO.PbO2
  • CAS No: 1314–41–6
  • EC number: 215–235–6
  • UN No: 1479
  • Purity: 97% minimum
  • Appearance: orange crystalline solid
  • Molar Mass: 685.6 g/mol
  • Density: 8.3 g/cm3
  • Melting Point: 500oC
  • Vapour pressure: 1.3 kPa (at 0C)
  • Solubility: Insoluble in water 67.3mg/L

Red Lead is virtually insoluble in water and alcohol. However, it is soluble in hydrochloric acid present in stomach, therefore it is toxic when ingested. It dissolves in hydrochloric acid, glacial acetic acid, diluted mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and hot alkaline solutions. It changes into black Lead sulphide while meeting hydrogen sulphide, while put outdoor in the open air it changes into while Lead sulphate

Uses of Lead Tetroxide

Lead tetroxide is most often used as a pigment for primer paints for iron objects. Due to its toxicity, its use is being limited. In the past, it was used in combination with linseed oil as a thick, long-lasting anti-corrosive paint. The combination of minium and linen fibres was also used for plumbing, now replaced with PTFE tape. Currently it is mostly used for manufacture of glass, especially lead glass. It finds limited use in some amateur pyrotechnics as a relatively potent oxidizer. Red lead was also used for engineer’s scra­ping, before being supplanted by Engineer’s blue. It is also used for pottery glaze and Enamel. In the electric industry is used to make piezofiles. In the Chemical industry is used as a weak oxidizer.

Health & safety

R-phrases: R61 May cause harm to the unborn child. R20/22 Also harmful by inhalation and if swallowed. R 8 Contact with combustible material may cause fire. R33 Danger of cumulative effects. R50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. R62 Possible risk of impaired fertility.

S-phrases: S53 Avoid exposure – obtain special instructions before use. S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible). S60 This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste. S61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/ Safety data sheets.

For full details see MSDS for Lead Tetroxide

.

Buy Lead Tetroxide now

.

Buy lead (ii) oxide Litharge

Buy Lead (II) Carbonate basic – White Lead

What is Acetonitrile and what is it used for ?

Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile

What is Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile is a clear, colourless liquid with a sweet, ether like odour which has the chemical formula CH3CN. It is a by-product of acrylonitrile manufacture and it may also be formed by the combustion of wood and vegetation. Tobacco smoke contains acetonitrile and burning polyurethane foam releases acetonitrile and hydrogen cyanide. Acetonitrile is a volatile, highly polar solvent used to extract fatty acids and animal and vegetable oils. It is used in the petrochemical industry in extractive distillation based on its selective miscibility with organic compounds. It is used as a solvent for spinning synthetic fibres and in casting and moulding plastics. In laboratories, it is widely used in high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis and as a solvent for DNA synthesis and peptide sequencing.

PROPERTIES OF ACTONITRILE

  • IUPAC Name: Acetonitrile;
  • Other Names: methyl cyanide; cyanomethane; ethyl nitrile; ethanenitrile; methanecarbonitrile
  • Formula: C2H3N
  • CAS No: 75–05–8
  • EINECS: 200–835–2
  • Mol Wt: 41.05
  • Purity: 99+%
  • Appearance: colourless liquid
  • Melting Point: –45oC
  • Boiling Point: 82oC
  • Flash Point: 5.6oC (open cup)
  • Flash Point: 12.8oC (closed cup)
  • Density: 0.787 g/cm3
  • Viscosity: 0.369 @ 25C
  • solubility: miscible with water
  • Acidity pKa: 25
  • Vapour pressure: 72.8 mm Hg @20C
  • Refractive index: 1.344
  • Vapour density: 1.41
  • Explosive linits in air: lower 4.4% Higher 16%

Where to Buy Acetonitrile online

Acetonitrile is completely soluble in water and readily miscible with ethanol, ether, acetone, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and ethylene chloride. It is immiscible with many saturated hydrocarbons (petroleum fractions).
Although acetonitrile is one of the most stable nitriles, it undergoes typical nitrile reactions and is used to produce many types of nitrogen-containing compounds. It can be trimerized to S-trimethyltriazine and has been telomerized with ethylene and copolymerized with alpha-epoxides.
Acetonitrile produces hydrogen cyanide when heated to decomposition or when reacted with acids or oxidizing agents.

USES OF ACETONITRILE

Being a volatile highly polar solvent, acetonitrile finds its greatest use as an extracting fluid for fatty acids and animal and vegetable oils.
Acetonitrile has been widely used as an extractive distillation solvent in the petrochemical industry for separating olefin-diolefin mixtures and for C4-hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile has been used as a solvent for polymer spinning and casting because of the combination of high solubility and desirable intermediate volatility. It is also used as a solvent for isolating components from crude products such as crude wool resin.
Acetonitrile is used as a common laboratory solvent for recrystallizing various chemicals and is widely used as a solvent in HPLC analysis. Acetonitrile is also used in biotechnology research as a solvent in the synthesis of DNA and peptide sequencing.
Acetonitrile can be used to remove tars, phenols and colouring matter from petroleum hydrocarbons that are not soluble in acetonitrile. Acetonitrile is also used as a starting material for the synthesis of many chemicals such as acetophenone, alpha-naphthyl acetic acid, thiamine and acetomidine.
Extraction of fatty acids and animal and vegetable oils. Extraction of unsaturated petroleum hydrocarbons

Solvent for polymer spinning and casting

Moulding of plastics

Removal of tars, phenols and colouring matter from petroleum
hydrocarbons

Purification of wool resin

Recrystallization of steroids

Starting material for synthesis of chemicals

Solvent in DNA synthesis and peptide sequencing

Medium for promoting reactions

Solvent in non-aqueous titrations

Non-aqueous solvent for inorganic salts

High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis

Catalyst and component of transition-metal complex catalysts

Extraction and refining of copper

Stabilizer for chlorinated solvents

Perfume manufacture

Pharmaceutical solvents

Health & Safety:

R-phrases: R11 Highly flammable. R20/21/22 Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. R36 Irritating to eyes.

S-phrases: S16 Keep away from sources of ignition – No smoking. S36/37 Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.

For full details see MSDS for Acetonitrile in documents section above.

.

Where to Buy Acetonitrile online
Where to Buy Triethanolamine TEA online

Where to Buy Monoethanolamine MEA online

What is Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and what is it used for ?

What is Isopropyl Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol, commonly referred to as IPA or Propann-2-ol, is a flammable, clear, colourless liquid with a slightly pleasant alcoholic odour. It possesses physical,chemical and solvency properties similar to those of ethyl alcohol, making it completely miscible with water and soluble in most organic solvents. Isopropyl Alcohol is a highly versatile solvent which has a 1001 uses. Second only to water it is the most commonly used liquid for cleaning and is found in millions of products world wide. It is used in manufacturing acetone, glycerol and isopropyl acetate. A solvent for many oils, alkaloids, gums and resins, it also serves as a deicing agent for liquid fuels. The chemical compound is used in extraction processes, as a dehydrating agent, a preservative, in lotions and as a laboratory reagent.

Properties & Specification

  • Synonyms: isopropyl alcohol; propan-2-ol; 2-propanol; IPA; isopropanol; Rubbing alcohol, dimethylcarbinol; isohol; petrohol;
  • Formula: C3H7OH
  • CAS No: 67–63–0
  • EINECS No: 200–661–7
  • Molar mass: 60.1 g/mol
  • Density: 0.786 g/cm3
  • Solubility: miscible in water    
  • Melting point: –89 C
  • Boiling point: 82.5 oC
  • Flash point: 13 C (closed cup)
  • Autoignition temperature: 399 C
  • Explosion limits: Upper 12% – Lower 2%
  • Acidity (pKa): 16.5
  • Viscosity: 1.96 cP @25C
  • Vapour pressure: 48 hPa at 20C
  • Relative vapour density (air=1): 2
  • Refractive index: 1.3776

Isopropyl alcohol is miscible with water, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, ether and glycerine. It is soluble in acetone but insoluble in salt solutions. Isopropyl alcohol is incompatible with strong oxidizers, acetaldehyde, chlorine, ethylene oxide, acids, and isocyanates.

Where to Buy Isopropyl alcohol online

Uses for Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is registered as an antimicrobial, bactericide, fungicide, and virucide. It is used for sterilizing and disinfecting surfaces in hospitals, dairy farms, food processing plants, eating establishments, and in household dwellings. Isopropyl alcohol is also registered for use as a topical disinfectant in animal areas in and around the house, in veterinary institutions, farm structures, poultry areas, and in hatcheries and zoo animal premises. It is registered for use in barbershops for cleaning hair cutting and styling instruments and equipment. Isopropyl alcohol is also registered as an adjuvant, used to facilitate pesticide applications in agricultural settings, and as an adjuvant in industrial water washer, cooler, and condenser systems.

  • A Disinfectant for food preparation surfaces, table tops, counters, bars and other hard surfaces.
  • Antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
  • A general cleaner – excellent for cleaning glass & lenses. Can be used to clean virtually any surface. Removes light grease, oils, dirt, food stains etc. Evaporates quickly and leaves surface squeaky clean.
  • A specialist cleaner ? for computer equipment, electronic devices, contact pins, floppy disk drive heads, lenses of LASERS in optical disc drives (DVD,CD), removes thermal paste of CPUs. Cleans printer heads including Thermal Transfer.
  • A sterilizer – For sterilising hands when preparing food or for medical personnel working in surgeries, clinics, First Aid Rooms, Nursing Homes, Hospitals etc.
  • Sterilizing utensils, equipment etc eg acupuncturists needles, hairdressers combs etc.
  • An Anti-Foamer and foam inhibitor.
  • Can be mixed with fragrances to make airfreshners and deodorants.
  • Can be used as a Deodoriser for spraying into shoes to eliminate odours.
  • Used to make Rinse agents for Dishwashers.
  • A solvent for diluting lacquers, PVC adhesives, dyes and printing inks.
  • A graffiti remover for removing inks, markers, lipstick etc.
  • A Deicer for locks and windscreens.
  • Add to Windscreen washer reservoir for a spotless windscreen every time.
  • Antifreeze.
  • A fuel additive for dissolving water or ice in fuel lines.
  • Cosmetics – hand lotions, deodorants, aftershaves.
  • Body Rub – relieves muscle stiffness.
  • As a underarm deodorant.

To treat house plants that have spider mites or white flies- spray with a solution of four parts water to three parts isopropyl alcohol and add a squirt of dishwashing liquid.

To make an effective Hand sanitiser- According to WHO (World Health Organisation) they recommend the following mix to make 1 litre of sanitiser: Isopropyl alcohol (750ml), Hydrogen peroxide 3% (42ml), Glycerine (15ml), distilled water (193ml).
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly until solution is crystal clear. Use in suitable dispenser with a spray head. Spray onto skin ensuring that all the skin has been covered and allow to air dry. Note: the hydrogen peroxide is present only as a preservative

To Make an Emergency Soft Ice Pack: Mix 1 part alcohol with 3 parts of water. fill it into a self sealing plastic bag and keep in freezer. Place over the skin, joint etc to cool.

Using Isopropyl Alcohol to prevent water from freezing:

  • 10% alcohol:90% water will reduce the freezing point of water from 0 deg C to –3 deg C.
  • 20% alcohol:80% water will reduce the freezing point of water from 0 deg C to –7 deg C.
  • 40% alcohol:60% water will reduce the freezing point of water from 0 deg C to –20 deg C

At these sorts of mixes water will not freeze at its normal 0 Deg C.

Health & Safety

R-phrase(s)

R11 Highly flammable. R36 Irritating to eyes. R67 Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.

S-phrase(s)

S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear protective gloves/ protective clothing/ eye protection/ face protection. Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.

For full details see MSDS for IPA

.

Where to Buy Isopropyl alcohol online

.

Where to Buy Benzyl Alcohol online in UK

Where to Buy Benzyl Benzoate online UK

What is Sodium Silicate / Water Glass and what is it used for ?

sodium silicate solution

sodium silicate solution

WHAT IS SODIUM SILICATE

Sodium silicate, also known as water glass is a clear, odourless, viscous liquid. This specific silicate has a molar ratio of 3.22 and a total solids content of 36.8%. It is produced by fusing sand (SiO2) with sodium carbonate which produces solid glass (cullet). The glass is then dissolved in water and steam under high pressure which produces the sodium silicate solution also known as water glass. It is widely used in industry as sealants, binders, deflocculants, emulsifiers and buffers.

Specification

  • Synonyms: Sodium trisilicate solution; Water glass; Silicic acid, sodium salt; sodium hydroxy(oxo)si­lanolate; acide silicique, sel de sodium; Kieselsaure, Natriumsalz;
  • Molar Ratio: 3.22 +/-0.5%
  • SiO2: 27.8% +/-0.5%
  • Na2O: 8.5% +/-0.3%
  • Concentration: 36–37%
  • CAS No: 1344–09–8
  • EC No: 215–687–4
  • Formula: Na2Si3O7
  • Viscosity: 70–100cPs (20C)
  • Density: 1.38 g/cm3 (40 Be)
  • pH: approx 11.3
  • Solubility: completely miscible in water

Where to Buy Sodium Silicate / water glass/ liquid glass online uk

Uses for sodium silicate

Metal repair

Sodium silicate is used, along with magnesium silicate in muffler repair and fitting paste. When dissolved in water, both sodium silicate, and magnesium silicate form a thick paste that is easy to apply. When the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine heats up to its operating temperature, the heat drives out all of the excess water from the paste. The silicate compounds that are left over have glass-like properties, making a somewhat permanent, brittle repair.

Automotive repair

Sodium silicate can be used to seal leaks at the head gasket. Rather than pull the head, a jar of “liquid glass” is poured into the radiator and allowed to circulate. The Waterglass is injected via the radiator water into the hotspot at the motor. This technique works because at 93 C the sodium silicate loses water molecules to form a very powerful sealant that will not re-melt below 815 C. This approach is often used by disreputable used-car salespersons to disguise a leaking head gasket.

A sodium silicate repair of a leaking head gasket can hold for up to two years and even longer in some cases. The effect will be almost instant, and steam from the radiator water will stop coming out the exhaust within minutes of application. This repair only works with water to cylinder or water to Air applications and where the sodium silicate reaches the “conversion” temperature of 93 C.

Cement uses

Sodium silicate has been widely used as a general purpose cement, but especially for applications involving cementing objects exposed to heat or fire. For example, sodium silicate has been provided in home first-aid kits and used in medical practice as a glue for holding human skin together at surface cuts. It has also been used as a general purpose paper cement.

 

Timber treatment

Sodium silicate is used as a timber treatment to preserve wood from insects and possesses some flame-retardant properties.

Concrete and general masonry treatment

Concrete treated with a sodium silicate solution helps to significantly reduce porosity in most masonry products such as concrete, stucco, plasters. A chemical reaction occurs with the excess Ca(OH)2 in the concrete that permanently binds the silicates with the surface making them far more wearable and water repellent. It is generally advised to apply only after initial cure has taken place (7 days or so depending on conditions).

Refractory use

Water glass is a useful binder of solids, such as vermiculite and perlite. When blended with the aforementioned lightweight aggregates, water glass can be used to make hard, high-temperature insulation boards used for refractories, passive fire protection and high temperature insulations, such as moulded pipe insulation applications. When mixed with finely divided mineral powders, such as vermiculite dust (which is common scrap from the exfoliation process), one can produce high temperature adhesives. The intumescence disappears in the presence of finely divided mineral dust, whereby the waterglass becomes a mere matrix. Waterglass is inexpensive and abundantly available, which makes its use popular in many refractory applications.

Water Treatment

Water glass is used as a water treatment in waste water treatment plants. Waterglass will bind to heavier molecules and drag them out of the water.

Magic Crystals

Water glass was used in the magic crystal garden toys from the 1980′s. When waterglass was combined with a selection of different metals in solution, the waterglass would cause the metals to precipitate. Each metal would precipitate separately causing a different color stalagmite.

Sodium silicate in the paper & pulp industry

In the peroxide bleaching process of the Pulp and Paper industry sodium silicate functions as a transition metal ion chelate, a pH buffer, a stabiliser, a surface active agent and penetrant and as a corrosion control agent

Health & safety

Risk phrases: R34 Causes burns. R37 Irritating to respiratory system.

Safety phrases: S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S36/37/39 Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible).

For full details see MSDS for sodium silicate

.

Where to Buy Sodium Silicate / water glass/ liquid glass online uk

Buy Sodium Silicate Powder

Buy Potassium Silicate Solution

Where to Buy Sodium metasilicate / Metso online

.

What is EDTA (Free Acid) and what is it used for?

What is EDTA – the free acid:

EDTA is a White odorless, colourless crystalline powder, with a melting point of 240C at which it decomposes. It is insoluble in cold water, alcohol and general organic solvents, slightly soluble in water, soluble in sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and ammonia solution, soluble in boiling water. The alkali metal salts are soluble in water. EDTA(Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid) is an important complexing agent. EDTA is widely used, can be used for processing colour photographic materials bleach fixing bath washing, dyeing auxiliaries, textile processing auxiliaries, cosmetic additives, blood anticoagulant, detergent, stabiliser, synthetic rubber and polymerization initiator. With its wide range of uses and frequent presence in our everyday lives, it is important to know about the purpose of EDTA, how it is used and if there are any dangers involved in its use.

Common uses for EDTA :

  • Industrial cleaning: complexation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, binding of heavy metals.
  • Detergents: complexation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ (reduction of water hardness).
  • Photography: use of Fe(III)EDTA as oxidizing agent.
  • Pulp and paper industry: complexation of heavy metals during chlorine-free bleaching, stabilization of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Textile industry: complexation of heavy metals, bleach stabilizer.
  • Hydroponics: iron-EDTA is used to make iron more soluble in nutrient solutions.

EDTA is predominatly used in agriculture, water treatment, food processing, pulp and paper industries and also used in the manufacture of cleaners and detergents.

Chelating agents bind or capture trace amounts of iron, copper, manganese, calcium and other metals that occur naturally in many materials. Such naturally occurring metals can cause foods to degrade, chemical degradation, discoloration, scaling, instability, rancidity, ineffective cleaning performance and other problems.

In Metalworking indutries it is used for surface preparation, metal cleaning, metal plating, and in metalworking fluids.

In Cleaning products EDTA is employed to remove hard water scale, soap film, and inorganic scales. It is commonly used in a wide variety of cleaning products and formulations, including hard surface cleaners, laundry detergents, bacteridal cleaners, vehicle washes etc.

In personal care products like soaps, creams, shampoos it is used to increase effectiveness and improve stability of the products.

Other key applications for EDTA include: In Photography as a bleach in photographic film processing. In the manufacturing of paper to maximize bleaching efficiency during pulping, prevent brightness reversion, and protect bleach potency. In Scale removal and prevention – to clean calcium and other types of scale from boilers, evaporators, heat exchangers, filter cloths, and glass-lined kettles. I Water treatment – to control water hardness and scale-forming calcium and magnesium ions and to prevent scale formation.

More specialised uses of EDTA are:

  • Food: added as preservative to prevent catalytic oxidation by metal ions or stabilizer and for iron fortification.
  • Approved by the FDA as a preservative in packaged foods, vitamins, and baby food.
  • Personal care: added to cosmetics to improve product stability.
  • Oil production: added into the borehole to inhibit mineral precipitation.
  • Dairy and beverage industry: cleaning milk stains from bottles.
  • Flue gas cleaning: removal of NOx.
  • Dentistry as a root canal irrigant to remove organic and inorganic debris.
  • Soft drinks containing ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate, to lessen the formation of benzene (a carcinogen).
  • Recycling: rejuvenate old lead acid batteries.

Medicine:

  • EDTA is used in chelation therapy for acute hypocalcaemia, mercury poisoning and lead poisoning.
  • Combined with chromium, EDTA is used to evaluate kidney function. It is administered intravenously and its filtration into the urine is monitored. This method is considered the gold standard for evaluating glomerular filtration rate, Cr-EDTA’s sole way out of the body is via glomerular filtration as it is not secreted or metabolised in any other way.
  • Used as anticoagulant for blood samples
  • In veterinary ophthalmology EDTA may be used as an anticollagenase to prevent the worsening of corneal ulcers in animals.

In laboratory science, EDTA is also used for:

  • Scavenging metal ions: in biochemistry and molecular biology, ion depletion is commonly used to inactivate metal-dependent enzymes which could damage DNA or proteins
  • Complexometric titrations.
  • Buffer solutions.
  • Determination of water hardness.
  • EDTA may be used as a masking agent to remove a metal ion which would interfere with the analysis of a second metal ion present
  • An anticoagulant in medical and laboratory equipment.
  • A preservative (usually to enhance the action of another preservative such as benzalkonium or thiomersal) in ocular preparations and eye drops.
  • A titrant used to determine nickel concentration in an electroless nickel plating bath.
  • In metallography to remove staining due to etchants. Metal oxides are removed by gently swabbing with EDTA and rinsing in water.

Health & Safety

R-phrase(s): R36 Irritating to eyes.

S-phrase(s): S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

See MSDS for EDTA for full details.

Where to Buy EDTA online uk

Where to Buy EDTA Disodium salt online UK

Where to Buy EDTA tetra sodium salt online UK

What is Urea / Carbamide and what is it used for

WHAT IS UREA

Urea, also known as Carbamide, is a white crystalline substance with the chemical formula CO(NH2)2; it is highly water soluble and contains 46% nitrogen. Urea is widely used in fertilisers as a convenient source of nitrogen and supplies more nitrogen per ton of product than any other dry fertiliser.

Urea serves an important role in the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds by animals and is the main nitrogen-containing substance in the urine of mammals. Being solid, colourless, odourless (although the ammonia which it gives off in the presence of water, including water vapor in the air, has a strong odour), neither acidic or alkaline, highly soluble in water, and relatively non-toxic.

  • Formula: CH4N2O or (NH2)2CO
  • CAS No: 57–13–6
  • Other Names: Carbamide; carbonyl diamide; carbonyldiamine; diaminomethanal; diaminomethanone
  • Appearance: White solid
  • Formula: CH4N2O or (NH2)2CO
  • Density: 1.32 g/cm3
  • Molar Mass: 60.06 g mol/1
  • Melting point: 132.7 – 135 oC
  • Solubility: soluble in water 1079 g/L @20C
  • pH: 7.2 (10% solution)

USES OF UREA / CARBAMIDE

  • As a fertiliser in agriculture
  • As a foliar spray for plants ( normally 0.5%-2% active)
  • In the manufacture of plastics like urea-formaldehyde resins.
  • In the manufacture of adhesives.
  • Urea solutions are used to remove pollutants from diesel engines.
  • Used in dermatological products to rehydrate the skin. Often found in cosmetics, hair conditioners etc.
  • As a de-icer (ice melt) for use on paths and roads..
  • A main ingredient in hair removers.
  • Used in ready-to-use cold compresses in first aid.
  • A flame proofing agent used in dry chemical fire extinguishers.
  • An ingredient in soaps and detergents.
  • Along with ammonium phosphate as a yeast nutrient, for fermentation of sugars to ethanol.
  • As a solubility-enhancing and moisture-retaining additive to dye baths for textile dyeing or printing.

Urea has over twice as much nitrogen as does ammonium sulphate; 46% versus 21%. That means there is more than twice as much nitrogen per ton of fertilizer. In addition, urea is less acid forming, is more water soluble and less corrosive. Ammonium sulphate does supply sulphur, but it is usually less expensive to apply urea and elemental sulphur.

Health & Safety

R36/38– Irritating to eyes and skin. R40– Possible risks of irreversible effects. S24/25– Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

For more information see MSDS for Urea

Where to Buy Urea /Carbamide Technical grade online

Where to Buy Urea Agricultural grade online

.

What is Sodium Metasilicate Pentahydrate and what is it used for

WHAT IS SODIUM METASILICATE PENTAHYDRATE

Sodium Metasilicate commonly shortened to Metso, is formed by the high temperature fusion of sodium carbonate and silicon dioxide. Sodium Metasilicate forms highly alkaline solutions when dissolved in water. It is commonly used as a component of cleaners such as dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent.

SODIUM METASILICATE PENTAHYDRATE SPECIFICATION

  • Other Names: Silicic acid disodium salt pentahydrate, Disodium silicate pentahydrate, Sodium silicate hydrate, Disodium trioxosilicate
  • Appearance: Colorless or white crystal
  • Odour: Odourless
  • Melting Point: 72.2  ° C
  • Specific Gravity: 0.7 ~ 1.0 g/ cm3
  • PH: Basic
  • Solubility: 610g / l in water (@ 30 o C)
  • CAS NO: 10213-79-3
  • Molecular formula: Na2SiO3 · 5H2O
  • Molecular weight: 212.13
  • Alkali Content (as Na 2 O): 28.0% ~ 30.0%
  • Content as (SiO 2 ): 27% ~ 29%
  • Degree of Whiteness: 75.0 % Min
  • PH Value(1 % at 20): 12.4–12.6
  • Fe: 200 ppm max
  • Water insolubles: 0.2% max

It is considered to be safer to use than sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and does not attack metals including aluminium as aggressively as caustic. It moderates the tendency of the alkali to corrode and dissolve metals. Sodium silicate reacts with metal oxides to form a protective film on metal surfaces. This film is maintained as long as small amounts of soluble silica remain in the presence of water.

When used in conjunction with surfactants / detergents sodium metasilicate aids 1. The neutralization of acidic soil 2. The emulsification of oily and greasy soil 3. The deflocculation of particulate soil 4. The suspension of removed soil and prevention of it’s redeposition.

Sodium metasilicate disperses grease and dirt deposits into small suspended particles that rinse away without redepositing on freshly washed surfaces

SODIUM METASILICATE PENTAHYDRATE USES

A major use is as a builder (a material that enhances or maintains the cleaning efficiency of the surfactant, principally by inactivating water hardness) in soaps and detergents. Mainly used in making high efficiency detergents and metal cleaners. As a substitute for STPP, it can increase cleaning efficiency and reduce environment pollution, it provides excellent alkaline buffering, corrosion prevention for metal (i.e. Zinc, Aluminum), and aids in the of softening water. Used to improve washing detergents and metal cleaners.

It is also used extensively as an anti-corrosion agent in boiler-water feed.

Sodium metasilicate is used in fireproofing mixtures; in laundry, dairy, metal, and floor cleaning; in deinking paper; in washing carbonated drink bottles; in insecticides, fungicides, and antimicrobial compounds; as a chemical intermediate for silica gel catalysts; as an ingredient in adhesives; as a bleaching aid; and as a boiler compound. Combined with other salts such as sodium bicarbonate, it can be applied to aluminum as a paint stripper.

The pentahydrate form is considered as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in washing mixtures for fruits and vegetables, in sanitizing solutions for food-contact surfaces, in boiler water, as a denuding agent for tripe, as a hog scald agent for the removal of hair, and as a cooling and retort water agent for the prevention of staining of the outside surfaces of canned goods.

Health & Safety

R38– Irritating to skin. R41– Risk of serious damage to eyes.

See MSDS for sodium metasilicate pentahydrate for full details

Where to Buy Sodium metasilicate / Metso online

.