Alkanes C11 To C14 Lightweight Liquid Paraffin 1#

Product Overview

Comprising linear alkanes with 11–14 carbon atoms, this lightweight Paraffin exhibits a flash point ≥60°C and a viscosity of 1.5–3.0 cSt @40°C—properties that enable rapid drying and excellent wetting capabilities . Produced through fractional distillation of petroleum cuts, it features ≤0.05% sulfur content and a clear, colorless appearance, making it suitable for sensitive formulations where odor and residue are critical concerns .

Product Features

Rapid Volatility

With an initial boiling point of 210–250°C, it evaporates cleanly without leaving residues, outperforming mineral spirits in quick-drying applications. This property is essential for aerosol formulations and temporary coatings .

Excellent Solvency

Its balanced carbon chain length provides superior solvency for waxes, resins, and oils, enhancing pigment dispersion in inks and facilitating uniform coating formation on diverse substrates .

Low Toxicity

Classified as non-hazardous under GHS standards, it has a low vapor pressure (≤1 kPa @20°C) and meets EU VOC limits for industrial cleaners, making it suitable for indoor and enclosed-space applications .

Product Applications

Aerosol Formulations

In furniture polishes and car care products, it acts as a carrier fluid that evaporates quickly, leaving a uniform protective film. It reduces drying time by 40% compared to C16–C18 alkanes .

Industrial Cleaners

As a solvent in degreasers for metal parts, it dissolves oils and greases effectively while rinsing clean, reducing wastewater treatment costs by minimizing surfactant requirements .

Textile Auxiliaries

In temporary textile lubricants, it reduces fiber friction during weaving without altering fabric hand. It evaporates completely during heat setting, eliminating post-processing cleaning steps .

FAQ

What is the volatility profile of this lightweight wax?

It features a 210–250°C initial boiling point, ensuring rapid, residue-free evaporation ideal for quick-drying applications .

Is it suitable for aerosol products?

Yes, its low viscosity (1.5–3.0 cSt @40°C) and controlled volatility make it an excellent carrier in spray formulations for polishes and cleaners .

Does it meet low-VOC regulations?

Absolutely, it complies with EU 1272/2008 VOC limits, making it suitable for eco-labeled industrial and consumer products .

Exceptionally low and narrow freezing point range: C11-C14 alkanes have relatively small molecular weights (C11: 156; C14: 200) and weak intermolecular forces, resulting in a freezing point typically between -10°C and -25°C (varying slightly with carbon chain distribution). This is significantly lower than that of long-chain liquid waxes (e.g., C18-C21 with a freezing point of approximately 5-20°C). Even in extremely cold environments (below -15°C), they remain liquid and can be pumped or sprayed without heating, making them suitable for outdoor operations in cold regions (such as metalworking fluids and lubricants for outdoor equipment in northern winters).

Low viscosity and strong fluidity: At 25°C, the kinematic viscosity is usually 2-5 mm²/s, only 1/3 to 1/5 that of C18-C21 Liquid Paraffins. They can quickly penetrate and spread into tiny gaps (e.g., gear meshes in precision parts, pin gaps in electronic components), offering higher efficiency in scenarios requiring "rapid coverage" (such as instantaneous lubrication during metal stamping or moisture-proof coatings for electronic components).

Moderate volatility, suitable for "rapid release" scenarios: Compared to long-chain C18+ Liquid Paraffins (which are nearly non-volatile), C11-C14 Liquid Paraffins volatilize slowly at room temperature (vapor pressure of approximately 0.1-1 Pa at 25°C) but far less than light C5-C10 alkanes (which are highly volatile and flammable). This "controllable volatility" makes them ideal for applications requiring "brief action followed by low residue":For example, as "volatile release agents" in metal processing, they form a lubricating film to prevent adhesion during processing and then volatilize naturally afterward, reducing subsequent cleaning steps.refreshing emollientsin cosmetics, they evaporate quickly after application, avoiding the greasiness of long-chain liquid waxes, making them suitable for oily skin or summer skincare products (e.g., toners, sunscreen sprays).

Safely controllable flash point: The flash point is typically 60-80°C, which, although lower than that of long-chain Liquid Paraffins (>100°C), falls into the low-risk category for flammable liquids. No special low-temperature storage conditions are required—only protection from open flames is necessary.

Good chemical stability and strong resistance to degradation: Their saturated structure (pure straight-chain alkanes containing only C-C and C-H single bonds) provides inherent stability. They exhibit better oxidation and hydrolysis resistance than alkenes or aromatics, remaining stable at temperatures from room temperature up to 100°C. This makes them suitable for short-term cyclic use (e.g., machine tool coolants, temporary rust-preventive oils).

Controllable reactivity at moderate temperatures: They maintain excellent stability in the 80-120°C range, serving as "selective raw materials" in chemical synthesis. For instance, oxidation reactions efficiently produce C11-C14 fatty acids (e.g., lauric acid C12, myristic acid C14) with over 90% purity and minimal by-products. These can be directly used to synthesize medium-chain surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate, SDS), reducing purification costs.

Low swelling effect on polar materials: C11-C14 alkanes are extremely non-polar and interact mildly with polar polymers (e.g., rubber, cellulose). Their swelling rate on natural rubber and nitrile rubber is only half that of long-chain liquid waxes, making them suitable for contact with rubber seals (e.g., hydraulic system gaskets, water pipe connectors).

Good compatibility with low-polarity solvents: They are fully miscible with low-polarity solvents such as kerosene, diesel, and mineral oil, and can be stably mixed with most additives (e.g., emulsifiers, rust inhibitors) without phase separation. This makes them ideal for formulating "multi-component composite formulations" (e.g., metal cleaners, cutting fluid emulsions).

Lubrication for precision instruments: Their low viscosity allows them to form a uniform oil film on high-speed rotating micro-components (e.g., clock gears, micro-motor bearings), reducing friction while avoiding "power loss" caused by excessively high viscosity. They are suitable for energy-sensitive equipment (e.g., drone motors, precision conveyor belts).

Metal processing and cleaning: As a base oil in cutting fluids, they quickly cool tools (thanks to strong fluidity and high heat dissipation efficiency) and slowly volatilize during processing, reducing residue on workpieces (lowering subsequent cleaning costs). As a component in ultrasonic cleaning agents, they dissolve oil-based stains and volatilize easily, preventing "liquid hanging" on cleaned parts.

High-end cosmetic raw materials: C12-C14 alkanes act as "refreshing emollients" that evaporate quickly after application, leaving a light, non-greasy feel. They are suitable for oily skin care products (e.g., oil-control creams, sunscreen sprays) and cosmetics (e.g., foundations, to improve spreadability).

Synthesis of medium-chain surfactants: Oxidation-derived C12 lauric acid and C14 myristic acid are core raw materials for high-end detergents (e.g., baby laundry detergents) and emulsifiers (e.g., food-grade emulsifiers). Their concentrated carbon chain distribution ensures high purity, allowing direct use in pharmaceutical-grade formulations (e.g., ointment bases).

Pesticide carriers: Their moderate volatility makes them effective solvents for pesticide emulsifiable concentrates, ensuring uniform dispersion of active ingredients (e.g., insecticides) while enabling slow release over time (reducing efficacy loss from rapid volatilization). They are also readily biodegradable in soil (with a higher degradation rate than long-chain alkanes), minimizing environmental residue risks.