Solvents, paint thinners or simply called Thinners are one of the most widely used chemicals in household and industrial use because of their ability to quickly and efficiently dilute a wide range of non-water soluble substances and materials, including enamels, varnishes, resins and synthetic greases.
It is important to mention that solvents are generally made from organic compounds extracted from petroleum, so most of them are completely colourless liquids (although they may have a slightly yellow colour, which does not disturb their use in most cases), devoid of suspended materials. At the same time, they are highly flammable due to their low boiling point and have a rather peculiar smell.
Most Thinners on the modern market are formulated with Toluene as the main solvent. In addition, they include a mixture of organic solvents, other hydrocarbons, alcohols and ketones as diluents to guarantee the volume required to dilute highly dense and viscous substances.
These types of chemicals must be stored properly in airtight containers to prevent them from evaporating in contact with air and sunlight. Thinners are also highly harmful to health, as their formula includes a wide variety of toxic substances, such as ethanol, acetone and xylene, so they must be handled carefully.
Like other chemical products, solvents are used in a wide variety of industrial and domestic activities, because they are very versatile and economical, as well as easy to manufacture, as they are generated from hydrocarbons. These are some of their most common uses:
Diluent
The main use of Thinners is to dilute various substances of organic origin frequently used as a coating to protect surfaces, in order to reduce their viscosity, which greatly facilitates their use by providing a manageable texture and eliminating any impurities.
Thinners are generally used to dilute all kinds of very thick pigments including inks and hair dyes. Thus, it is possible to apply the product in a completely uniform way by increasing its fluidity and mobility. In addition, drying time is significantly reduced.
Thinner is also used to dilute certain fluids present in engines and other mechanical systems to reduce their viscosity and facilitate their movement. In this way it is possible to ensure better performance and prevent numerous damages by preventing them from accumulating and preventing proper operation.
Remover
Thinner is also frequently used as a remover for all types of paints, enamels, resins, varnishes, cement, adhesives, maintenance of automobiles and other vehicles as a remover of synthetic greases, engine residues and even oxides and protective coatings, as it helps to separate thick substances from almost any surface without discoloring it, nor causing stains, greatly facilitating its extraction.
Cleaner
Thinners are also commonly used as cleaners for metal and automotive parts as they are able to remove any impurities present on their surface, all without causing any type of corrosion, which allows them to recover their original appearance as well as prolonging their life by preventing deterioration.
These industrial solvents are often used in industrial maintenance processes as they are ideal for cleaning tools, parts and even some electronic components. In addition, they help reduce moisture levels by evaporating quickly.
Oil Industry
In the oil industry, Thinner is commonly used to decrease the viscosity of crude oil, acting as a solvent to increase its fluidity, in this way it is possible to handle the substance in a more appropriate and safer way at the time of extraction and packaging.
It is also used to transport a wide variety of hydrocarbons, as it helps to significantly reduce the costs associated with their transportation. It is also regularly used to facilitate the pumping of crude oil through gas pipelines.
Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry also uses a wide variety of solvents in the manufacture of various drugs in capsules and tablets to ensure a faster effect of the active compound by spreading it evenly, which allows it to be absorbed by the body immediately.
Solvents are also frequently used in the pharmaceutical industry in the separation of numerous substances, to obtain or extract specific compounds, in order to improve their effect and reduce health risks. They are even used in vaccines to reconstitute their physical properties after storage.
Manufacture of industrial products
Thinners are frequently used in the manufacture of a wide variety of industrial products such as adhesives, resins, fungicides, insecticides, inks, plastics and synthetic fibers, because they facilitate the synthesis of numerous compounds and efficiently dilute the viscosity of certain liquids that are not very soluble.
It is for this reason that industrial solvents are generally present in the formulation of various products to guarantee a totally homogeneous consistency and to eliminate any impurities or residues generated during the manufacturing process, as well as to increase their volume.
Thinner Types
Although industrial solvents often have very similar characteristics, it is true that their effectiveness can vary greatly depending on the method of manufacture and their particular formulation. In addition, it is possible to find specialized products for a wide variety of activities made from numerous substances.
Among the most prominent types of Thinner in the modern market are the High Gloss Thinner commonly used to thin resins and clear lacquers and the Acrylic Thinner used to thin automotive and other vehicle paints, due to its ability to thin plastics and other carbonated polymers.
Another very popular solvent is the cleaning thinner, used in many sectors of modern industry because it has a greater capacity to dissolve insoluble substances for the majority of products on the market. Solvent removers are also widely used for maintenance related activities.
