Mineral turpentine

Mineral turpentine, also known as turpentine substitute, turps substitute, or just turps is an inexpensive petroleum-based replacement for the vegetable-based turpentine. It is commonly used as a paint thinner for thinning oil-based paint and cleaning brushes, and as an organic solvent in other applications.

Mineral turpentine is a hydrotreated light distillate of petroleum, and consists of a complex mixture of highly refined hydrocarbon distillates mainly in the C9-C16 range. The material is a colorless transparent liquid at room temperature, and immiscible to water. The liquid is highly volatile and the vapours are flammable. It can be a very dangerous inhalant.

Mineral turpentine has a characteristic unpleasant odor. Chemical manufacturers have developed a low odor version of mineral turpentine which contains less of the highly volatile shorter hydrocarbons. [1]

Contents

Typical composition of mineral turpentine[2]

Chemical Entity CAS Number Proportion (%)
Low Aromatic White Spirit 64742-82-1 > 60
Solvent naphtha (petroleum), light arom. 64742-95-6 20 - 40
Contains < 0.1% w/w benzene

Typical composition of mineral turpentine (low odor)[3]

Chemical Entity CAS Number Proportion (%)
Low Aromatic White Spirit 64742-82-1 100
Solvent naphtha (petroleum), light arom. 64742-95-6 0
Contains < 0.1% w/w benzene

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mineral Turpentine (Low Odour) Product Sheet". http://www.recochem.com.au/files/downloads/Cons_Mineral_Turpentine_Low_Odour_PDS_Apr11.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-30. 
  2. ^ "Mineral Turpentine". http://www.recochem.com.au/files/downloads/Mineral_Turpentine_Mar11.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-30. 
  3. ^ "Mineral Turpentine (Low Odour) MSDS". http://www.recochem.com.au/files/downloads/Mineral_Turpentine_Low_Odour_Mar11.pdf. Retrieved 2011-04-30.