DBE: an environmental friendly alternative

Citation

(1999), "DBE: an environmental friendly alternative", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928fad.009

DBE: an environmental friendly alternative

DBE: an environmental friendly alternative

Keywords: DuPont, Solvents, Environmentally friendly

With DBE (dibasic esters), DuPont believes that it can offer an alternative to chlorinated and other regulated solvents. DBE and its fractions have low environmental impact according to the German Water Endangering Classification (WGK = 1). They are clear, colourless liquids which are biodegradable. Other properties claimed are high solvency power and good miscibility with other solvents, high boiling and flashpoints and a mild odour. DBE is classified as “non hazardous” according to all EU criteria, which allows easier handling.

DBE is said to be used in a broad variety of applications. It is a solvent for coatings, cleaning formulations, paint strippers. It can also function as building block or intermediate, for example in polyester resins, polyurethane foams and plasticizers. DBE can also be found in chemical grouting as an aid to construction, in wet strength paper resins or in the production of pigments.

Many users continue to use their existing solvent formulations because of uncertainty about potential replacements. In these cases DuPont offers support in the development of alternative solutions based on DBE, which provide equivalent or improved product properties. DuPont’s DBE dibasic esters are the refined dimethylesters of adipic, glutaric and succinic acids which are all naturally occuring materials.

DBE is produced from dibasic acids manufactured at DuPont’s adipic acid plants (adipic acid is one key-intermediate for the production of polyamides). The primary refined mixed ester product is designated DBE. DBE can be fractionated into three other mixtures of two components and the three single esters.

DBE and its fractions are stated to be readily soluble in alcohols, ketones, ethers and most hydrocarbons, but are only slightly soluble in water and higher paraffinic hydrocarbons.

If improvement of environmental protection, safety at the working place and product properties are desired, DBE is thought to be a good alternative to traditional solvents. The high flashpoint of 103C and extensive toxicity testing is stated to offer a high level of safety and security when working with DBE. The high solvency power claimed of DBE can offer improved dissolution properties at lower solvent concentrations. When substituting DBE for an undesired solvent is not satisfactory, a formulated blend of DBE with one or more other solvents is often successful.

Formulators who look for alternatives can get support from DuPont with a Solvent-Formulation-Program.This computer program has a database of 180 solvents and uses the “Hansen parameters” to calculate the three solubility parameters of solvents, solvent blends and resins. This tool allows theoretical formulation work to tailor a customer request for practical functionality testing.

Further details are available from DuPont (UK) Ltd, Wedgewood Way, Stevenage, Herts SG1 4QN.