SOLVENT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

A solvent composition for solvent-based paints or other similar coatings which comprises a combination of dimethyl glutarate and of at least one other compound chosen from a group which includes isobutyl acetate, ethyl lactate, dimethyl 2-methylglutarate, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, cyclopentyl methyl ether, diethoxymethane, dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl succinate, benzyl alcohol, dimethyl adipate or glycerol triacetate. Also a method of cleaning with such a solvent composition.

Claims

1. A solvent composition for paints or other coatings, the solvent composition comprising: between 50% and 80% of dimethyl glutarate; between 20% and 50% of isobutyl acetate or of a mixture of isobutyl acetate and of ethyl lactate, by volume, with respect to a total volume of the solvent composition.

2. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition exhibits a flash point of greater than or equal to 39 C.

3. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition exhibits a content of volatile organic compounds of less than 50% by weight.

4. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition comprises: between 50% and 55% of dimethyl glutarate, between 30% and 35% of isobutyl acetate, and between 20% and 25% of ethyl lactate, by volume, with respect to the total volume of the solvent composition.

5. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition comprises: between 50% and 55% of dimethyl glutarate, between 30% and 35% of ethyl lactate, and between 20% and 25% of isobutyl acetate, by volume, with respect to the total volume of the solvent composition.

6. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition comprises: between 70% and 80% of dimethyl glutarate, and between 20% and 30% of isobutyl acetate, by volume, with respect to the total volume of the solvent composition.

7. The solvent composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent composition comprises, at most, 20% of a compound chosen from a group consisting of: dimethyl 2-methylglutarate, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, cyclopentyl methyl ether, diethoxymethane, dimethyl carbonate, dimethyl succinate, benzyl alcohol, dimethyl adipate, glycerol triacetate, and mixtures thereof, by volume, with respect to the total volume of the solvent composition.

8. A process for cleaning items of equipment for a preparation, or an application, or both of solvent-based paints or of other coatings, the process comprising: at least one stage of cleaning an item of equipment with the solvent composition according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The abovementioned characteristics of the invention, and also others, will become more clearly apparent on reading the examples which follow and in connection with the following appended drawings:

[0030] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a device used to determine the effectiveness of solvent compositions according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 is TABLE 1 showing various mixtures of solvent compositions produced according to the present invention; and,

[0032] FIG. 3 is TABLE 2 showing the contents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of various solvent compositions according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Example 1: Effectiveness Tests and Measurement of the Flash Point

[0033] Five solvent compositions (Sol 1; Sol 2; Sol 3; Sol 4; Sol 5) according to the invention were prepared according to the mixtures shown in Table 1 (FIG. 2).

[0034] Their effectiveness with regard to the dissolution of different types of paints was compared with that of a commercial control solvent.

[0035] The trade names of the paints, as well as their main component, are also shown in Table 1 (FIG. 2).

[0036] The results of the effectiveness tests and also the flash point of each solvent composition are shown in Table 1 (FIG. 2).

[0037] The effectiveness with regard to the dissolution of different types of paint was determined using the device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The device 100 is composed of a burette support 101 exhibiting a base 102, of a graduated burette 103 and of an aluminum test specimen 104. The burette 103 is filled with 10 ml of solvent. The distance between the tip of the graduated burette 103 and the aluminum test specimen 104 is 10 cm. The aluminum test specimen 104 and the base 102 form an angle of 45 between them. A strip of solvent-based paint 105 with a width of approximately 1 cm and with a thickness of approximately 30 m is applied over the entire width of the test specimen 104. The amount of solvent necessary to dissolve the layer of paint 105 is subsequently measured.

[0038] It is noticed first of all that the five solvents according to the invention exhibit a flash point of greater than 39 C., whereas the control solvent exhibits a flash point of 26 C. At such a value, the control solvent cannot be used without danger, whereas the five solvents according to the invention can be used and stored more safely.

[0039] Furthermore, the five solvents according to the invention have been shown to be effective in dissolving all the layers of paint. Their effectiveness, compared to that of the controls, is much higher. This is because, compared with the control solvent, the solutions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 exhibit an effectiveness of 58%, 50%, 42%, 75% and 42% respectively. Compared with the recycled control solvent, the solutions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 exhibit an effectiveness of 67%, 67%, 50%, 92% and 58% respectively.

[0040] It is noted in particular that the solvent 4 stands out in terms of effectiveness.

Example 2: Contents of Volatile Organic Compounds

[0041] The contents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the 5 solvent compositions according to the invention are presented in Table 2 (FIG. 3).

[0042] The five solvents according to the invention exhibit an acceptable content of VOCs of less than 50%, whereas the control solvent exhibits a content of VOCs of 100%.

[0043] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.