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Solvents for the paint, coating and adhesive industry
- Free from aromatics
- No unsaturated compounds
- Purity of 95 % and 99 %
- Consistent quality
- Extensive monitoring of the production process
- Certification: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO/IEC 17025 (Hamburg laboratory)
- "Made in Germany" - manufactured in Germany
- Worldwide distribution
- Alternative to Tuluol and Xylene →
You can find more product information in our media library:
Paints & Lacquers
The paints and coatings sector is a traditional application area for Haltermann Carless’ hydrocarbons. More than half of all solvents produced are processed by this industry. In the past, mainly aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylenes were used for this purpose due to their high solvency power. More recently the use of these molecules is declining, as they are increasingly viewed as problematic in terms of environmental impact and health aspects.
In paints, paraffins such as n-heptane, n-octane and iso-octane are rarely used as pure components because their solvency power is significantly lower than that of aromatic compounds. However, they are indispensable for many specific applications. The iso-octane is often used as an aromatic-free substitute in thinners for paints and coatings or as a medium for cleaning brushes and tools. When used in a paint, the moderately rapid evaporation ensures an even result.
Acrylic paints
Acrylic paints such as classic wall paints are based on a dispersion of plastic polymers in water. The base of the paint must have both water-friendly and water-repellent properties in order to be able to incorporate all components of the formulation. To achieve this, the polymer is first prepared in a water/iso-octane emulsion of acrylic esters. The paraffin is removed and then the polymer is further built up with water-soluble components. This gives it both desired properties in one molecule. Pure paraffins ensure a precisely controllable reaction here.
Adhesives
Another very important application is adhesives. Paraffinic solvents such as n-heptane are used as solvents for adhesives to avoid swelling or dissolving the materials to be bonded. Foamed polystyrene, elastomers and many other plastics are dissolved by common adhesive formulations and cannot be bonded. Formulations that use paraffins instead of esters or aromatics have an advantage in this respect.
In the production of adhesive films, resealable packaging and labels, n-octane or iso-octane are used in particular. This application is similar to the adhesives used for bonding plastics. The octane does not penetrate into the carrier material of the adhesive film, meaning that the film remains clear and does not deform. Naphtha cuts with a wide boiling range are often used instead of pure paraffins. Although naphtha is cheaper, the properties of the adhesive or adhesive film are less controllable. Higher precession results can be achieved with the use of n-heptane which has a narrow, well-defined boiling range.
Greases, silicones and other lubricants and coolants
To apply highly viscous silicone greases or oils to surfaces, they are diluted with an inert, volatile paraffin. This creates a thin, uniform film of the lubricant. This is necessary to avoid an excess of lubricant and the resulting costs. Some seals and plastic components are partially softened in paraffinic solvents before final assembly to give them the appropriate shape. The paraffin acts as a plasticiser that penetrates into the structure of the plastic without dissolving or destroying it. This allows pipes to be simply pushed into one another. If the solvent evaporates, the parts shrink back into shape and bond permanently.
Cleaning and degreasing agents
Cold cleaners for degreasing workpieces, tools or brake pads consist to a very large extent of paraffins. They do not attack surfaces, painted areas and plastics, yet reliably remove residues of lubricants and preservative agents.
Paints & Lacquers
The paints and coatings sector is a traditional application area for Haltermann Carless’ hydrocarbons. More than half of all solvents produced are processed by this industry. In the past, mainly aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylenes were used for this purpose due to their high solvency power. More recently the use of these molecules is declining, as they are increasingly viewed as problematic in terms of environmental impact and health aspects.
In paints, paraffins such as n-heptane, n-octane and iso-octane are rarely used as pure components because their solvency power is significantly lower than that of aromatic compounds. However, they are indispensable for many specific applications. The iso-octane is often used as an aromatic-free substitute in thinners for paints and coatings or as a medium for cleaning brushes and tools. When used in a paint, the moderately rapid evaporation ensures an even result.
Acrylic paints
Acrylic paints such as classic wall paints are based on a dispersion of plastic polymers in water. The base of the paint must have both water-friendly and water-repellent properties in order to be able to incorporate all components of the formulation. To achieve this, the polymer is first prepared in a water/iso-octane emulsion of acrylic esters. The paraffin is removed and then the polymer is further built up with water-soluble components. This gives it both desired properties in one molecule. Pure paraffins ensure a precisely controllable reaction here.
Adhesives
Another very important application is adhesives. Paraffinic solvents such as n-heptane are used as solvents for adhesives to avoid swelling or dissolving the materials to be bonded. Foamed polystyrene, elastomers and many other plastics are dissolved by common adhesive formulations and cannot be bonded. Formulations that use paraffins instead of esters or aromatics have an advantage in this respect.
In the production of adhesive films, resealable packaging and labels, n-octane or iso-octane are used in particular. This application is similar to the adhesives used for bonding plastics. The octane does not penetrate into the carrier material of the adhesive film, meaning that the film remains clear and does not deform. Naphtha cuts with a wide boiling range are often used instead of pure paraffins. Although naphtha is cheaper, the properties of the adhesive or adhesive film are less controllable. Higher precession results can be achieved with the use of n-heptane which has a narrow, well-defined boiling range.
Greases, silicones and other lubricants and coolants
To apply highly viscous silicone greases or oils to surfaces, they are diluted with an inert, volatile paraffin. This creates a thin, uniform film of the lubricant. This is necessary to avoid an excess of lubricant and the resulting costs. Some seals and plastic components are partially softened in paraffinic solvents before final assembly to give them the appropriate shape. The paraffin acts as a plasticiser that penetrates into the structure of the plastic without dissolving or destroying it. This allows pipes to be simply pushed into one another. If the solvent evaporates, the parts shrink back into shape and bond permanently.
Cleaning and degreasing agents
Cold cleaners for degreasing workpieces, tools or brake pads consist to a very large extent of paraffins. They do not attack surfaces, painted areas and plastics, yet reliably remove residues of lubricants and preservative agents.
Analysis and tests facilitate high quality assurance
Both our qualified lab employees and comprehensive equipment ensure exact analyses, testing and acceptance of all products when they leave our facility. Our equipment allows for a wide range of testings, for example:
- Flash point
- Density
- pH-value
- Melting Point, Cloud Point and Pour Point
- Conductivity
- IR- and UV-spectroscopy
- Photometry
- Gas Chromatography
- Ion Chromatography
- Karl Fischer Method for Water Determination
- Potentiometric Titrations
- Viscosity
- Sulphur Determination
- HPLC Measurements
- Colour
