We manufacture Poly-Solv Ethylene Glycol Ethers and Poly-Solv Propylene Glycol Ethers.
Poly-Solv Ethylene Glycol Ethers
• Cellulose Acetate Solvent: Poly-Solv glycol ethers, Poly-Solv EM in particular, are excellent solvents
for cellulose acetate. This property can be an advantage in the dyeing of acetate rayon. The solvents
aid the penetration of the dyestuff into the fiber and tend to even the shade. These solvents can also
be used in adhesives that are designed for binding cellulose acetate plastic articles. The surface of the
plastic is softened by the solvent action of the ether, producing a bond between it and the adhesive
coating.
• Lacquer Solvent: Poly-Solv glycol ether solvents may be used in the manufacture of lacquers and
dopes. Generally, they are the last of the solvent mixture to evaporate, remaining in the lacquer where
they serve as good solvents for the nonvolatile ingredients. They are miscible in all proportions with the
ingredients of the lacquer and permit a wide range of formulations. Best results are obtained by adding
Poly-Solv glycol ethers for the additional properties they impart (such as non-lifting) rather than by
substituting them for other solvents. Their high dilution ratios for aromatic hydrocarbons permit more
nonsolvents in a given lacquer formulation.
• Resin Solvent: Poly-Solv EM exhibits solvent powers for resins, particularly the cellulose esters.
This is the basis for its use in certain adhesives. In the production of cellophane adhesive tape, for
example, the glycol ether softens the lacquer surface film of moisture-proof cellophane tape,
establishing a bond between the tape and the adhesive coating. This solvent action also underlies the
use of Poly-Solv EM in the solvent sealing of moisture-proof cellophane wrappings, such as those on
cigarette packages.
• Mutual Solvent: The Poly-Solv products are completely soluble in water under most conditions. At the
same time, they are strong solvents for some water-insoluble organic substances. This leads to their
widespread use as mutual solvents. They are used as components of some water-based and
self-emulsifying liquid cleaners, such as glass cleaners and metal cleaners. They are also used in the
preparation of some textile specialties, such as mercerizing compounds, liquid soaps and finishing
agents. Inclusion of Poly-Solv glycol ethers in the formulation of dry-cleaning soaps increases the
solubility of the soaps and the dry-cleaning solvents, and permits the introduction of small amounts of
water to remove water soluble stains.
• Brake Fluid and Hydraulic Fluid component: Poly-Solv glycol ethers, generally Poly-Solv DE, TE,
and TM may be used in some heavy-duty brake fluids. They serve as diluents and provide the desired
fluidity over a wide range of temperatures. They are well suited to brake fluid applications because of
their high boiling and flash points and their low freezing and pour points. In addition, they are excellent
solvents for other brake-fluid ingredients and have practically no effect on rubber.
• Finish Component: Poly-Solv glycol ethers are important as high potency solvents in certain types of
phenolic and epoxy coatings where the resins are used in unmodified or pure form. Because these
solvents evaporate relatively slowly, they level the resins and prevent early precipitation during the
baking process. Two examples of areas where Poly-Solv glycol ethers have been used are in interior
can coatings and chemically resistant coatings. The wide solvent powers and the slow evaporation rate
of the Poly-Solv products are properties that can be used to advantage with alkyd, urea formaldehyde
and maleic modified resins, chlorinated rubber and some vinyl copolymer systems.
• Dye Solvent: Collectively, Poly-Solv glycol ethers are good solvents for many classes of dyes,
including basic, chrome, naphthol and stabilized reduced vat dyes. Poly-Solv DM is a fairly standard
ingredient in wood stains of the non-grain raising variety, where it functions by dissolving the dyes in a
methanol base.
Poly-Solv Propylene Glycol Ethers
Poly-Solv propylene glycol ethers are used in cleaning compounds for aluminum, stainless steel and titanium surfaces. Cleaning with such compounds improves the adhesion of coatings to these metal surfaces. Because of its low-temperature properties, Poly-Solv TPM glycol ether is used as a component in brake fluids. Aqueous solutions of Poly-Solv MPM glycol ether are used in anti-freeze formulations. They are also used as heat transfer fluids.
