- No products in the cart.
Top Uses of Ethylene Glycol
Jun
13
2022
Ethylene glycol is a liquid that is used for household and commercial purposes. The liquid is odorless, colorless, and has a bittersweet taste. It’s basically a toxic alcohol that is similar to ethanol but much more poisonous if consumed.
What is another name for ethylene glycol?
Ethylene glycol goes by many names. It is also known as monoethylene glycol, 1,2-ethanediol, or ethane-1,2-diol.
Ethylene Glycol has the following chemical properties:
The chemical formula for ethylene glycol is C2H6O2.. Ethylene oxide mixed with water produces ethylene glycol. The reaction occurs by using acids, bases, or neutral pH with elevated temperatures.
The molar mass is the mass of the compound divided by the amount of substance. The molar mass of ethylene glycol is 62.07.
Density is the mass of a substance per unit volume.
Liquid: 1.11 at 68°F (20°C)
Vapor: 2.14 (air = 1)
The melting point is the temperature where a substance transforms from a solid to a liquid. The melting point of ethylene glycol is 9°F (-13°C).
The boiling point is the temperature where a substance goes from a liquid to a gas. Boiling points are affected by atmospheric pressure. The boiling point for ethylene glycol is 387°F (197.6°C).
Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, and viscous liquid at room temperature.
It’s an odorless organic compound.
Solubility is the maximum mass of a substance that will dissolve in a specific mass of a solvent at a specific temperature. Ethylene glycol is soluble in water.
What are ethylene glycol hazards?
If someone swallows or ingests ethylene glycol, immediately seek medical attention or call the local Poison Control Center. Vomiting in this scenario should not be induced. Side effects include abdominal pain, dizziness, unsteady gait, slurred speech, vomiting, and nausea. A person will typically appear drunk and have a sweet odor to their breath. Three to twelve hours later, a person can experience tremors, seizures, shallow breathing, sleepiness, coma, and death. Kidney failure is also a complication of this type of poisoning.
Is ethylene glycol harmful to skin?
Ethylene glycol can cause skin irritation if there is any exposure to the skin. Otherwise, it is not particularly dangerous. If skin is exposed to ethylene glycol, wash the skin where it was exposed with soap and water.
If ethylene glycol is exposed to the eye, it can cause inflammation and swelling of the eyelid as well as redness of the eye. If it is splashed in the eye, rinse the affected eye with cool water and seek medical attention.
Top Uses of Ethylene Glycol
-
Coolant
Ethylene glycol is mainly used as an antifreeze in automobiles. It’s also used as a deicing fluid for aircraft and windshields as well as air conditioning systems that must cool to lower than the freezing temperature of water.
2. Manufacturing
Ethylene glycol is popular in the plastics industry for the manufacturing of polyester fibers, resins, and polyethylene terephthalate that is used to make plastic bottles used for soft drinks.
3. Lab Use
Ethylene glycol is commonly used to extract proteins in solutions. It’s also used to preserve specimens in school labs, especially during dissection.
4. Other
Ethylene glycol is found in brake fluid, cosmetics, adhesives, fire extinguishers, polishes, pesticides, paint, detergents, and ink.
Where to purchase Ethylene Glycol
Lab Pro offers a large variety of medical device manufacturing tools. For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality ethylene glycol, hand tools, chemicals, lab equipment, distance learning kits, lab supplies, and cleanroom PPE apparel to medical device companies and laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.
