Ethyl Acetate (99%, Cleaning Solvent)
CAS 141-78-6Ethyl Acetate (EtOAc, CAS 141-78-6) at 99% minimum purity is an ester solvent with fast-medium evaporation rate and broad solvency for lacquers, adhesives, cellulose nitrate, vinyl, and acrylic resin systems.
Key Features
- ✓High TLV-TWA (400 ppm) — low occupational health hazard for enclosed composite workshops
- ✓Broad solvency for lacquers, vinyls, contact adhesives, and cellulose-based materials
- ✓Fast evaporation (bp 77°C) — quick-drying surface preparation solvent
- ✓Mild on cured thermoset surfaces — less aggressive than ketones on soft gelcoat
- ✓Class IB flammable (flash point −4°C) — standard flammable liquid storage required
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Purity | ≥99.0% by GC |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid with fruity odor |
| CAS Number | 141-78-6 |
| Flash point | −4°C (ASTM D93) |
| Boiling point | 77°C |
| Water content | < 0.3% (Karl Fischer) |
| Density (20°C) | 0.902 g/cm³ |
| Relative evaporation rate | ~4.7 (n-BuAc = 1.0) |
FAQ
Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) is preferred over MEK for contact adhesive cleanup in enclosed manufacturing environments for several reasons: (1) Occupational exposure: EtOAc has TLV-TWA of 400 ppm vs. MEK's 200 ppm, allowing higher working concentrations before ventilation or PPE requirements are triggered — this is particularly important in cabinet and furniture workshops with limited ventilation; (2) Compatibility with adhesive substrates: EtOAc effectively dissolves neoprene and acrylic contact adhesives with slightly less risk of surface attack on vinyl, ABS, or polystyrene decorative layers than MEK; (3) Odor: EtOAc's pleasant fruity odor is more tolerable in workshop environments than the sharp ketone odor of MEK; (4) Regulatory: EtOAc is CARB VOC-exempt and faces fewer restrictions in low-VOC compliant applications than MEK. In terms of solvency efficiency, MEK is somewhat stronger, but EtOAc's health and regulatory advantages make it the standard for interior composites work.