Solvent Oil (Mineral Turpentine / White Spirit)

About This Product

Mineral turpentine and white spirit are trade names for a petroleum distillate solvent that took over from gum turpentine in paints and cleaning, and solvent oil of this kind remains the default thinner for solvent-borne decorative coatings. It is made by fractionating a straight-run petroleum cut, usually followed by a treating step to remove sulphur and odorous compounds, which leaves a mixture of paraffins and naphthenes with a limited aromatic fraction. An aromatics content of max 8.0 vol % keeps the aromatic share of the solvent small. Aromatics raise solvency but also odour and vapour exposure, so holding them down suits decorating products and workplaces where solvent smell matters, while the solvent still dissolves alkyd, oleoresinous and bituminous binders adequately. The doctor test result, negative (-ve), shows that mercaptans, which give a sulphurous smell and attack metals, are absent at the level the test detects. Sulphur content of max 0.05 wt % and a copper strip corrosion result that passes test (3h @ 50°C) indicate that the solvent should not tarnish the copper and brass parts it is used to clean. Distillation decides how quickly a solvent evaporates and how long a paint stays workable, so it is the parameter a formulator should look at first. For this grade the distillation limits are those given in the specification table, and they are confirmed on each offer. Buyers matching an existing formulation should compare those limits, and the specific gravity of 0.70 – 0.74, with the solvent they use now. Appearance is bright & clear, free from suspended matter, which is the first thing to check on receipt. Solvent oil is used to thin alkyd and oil-based gloss paints and undercoats, varnishes and wood stains, as a cleaning solvent for brushes and spray equipment, in metal degreasing and parts washing, and as a carrier in polishes, wood preservatives and rust-preventive fluids. The aromatic solvents in this range, toluene and xylenes, offer much stronger solvency for industrial coatings and inks; solvent oil is a predominantly aliphatic solvent chosen for lower odour and milder solvency in decorative and maintenance products. Bio Green Chem supplies solvent oil from Pakistan in drums or IBC tanks for smaller users and ISO tanks for bulk, with custom packaging available. Lots are shipped with a certificate of analysis. A copy of the solvent oil technical datasheet is attached to this page, and the SDS, which sets out fire and handling precautions, is supplied on request.