This section provides an overview for ethylene glycol as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 ethylene glycol manufacturers and their company rankings.
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Ethylene glycol is a water-soluble organic compound that is easily soluble in water and ethanol.
It is stable and does not oxidize easily in air. Ethylene glycol is a clear colorless liquid that is slightly viscous at room temperature, with a specific gravity of 1.11 and a boiling point of 197°C (197°F). It's flash points are 111°C and 398°C, respectively.
If ethylene glycol is accidentally ingested and metabolized in the body, toxic oxalic acid is produced, which is harmful to the human body. Therefore, it is a compound that requires careful handling.
Ethylene glycol are often mixed with water and used in antifreeze solutions since it is easily soluble in water and has a low melting point of about -13°C. Antifreeze can be obtained that will not freeze until the temperature is even lower than the 0°C melting point of water.
Ethylene glycol are also used as a raw material for further synthetic reactions.
Ethylene glycol are used in large quantities as an industrial raw material. For example, ethylene glycol are one of the main raw materials for PET resin, which is used in large quantities in everyday life. PET resin made from ethylene glycol are processed into polyester fiber , a type of synthetic fiber, for example.
The structure of ethylene glycol (molecular structure) is relatively simple. Specifically, it consists of two carbons each bonded to -OH. In other words, it consists of an ethylene moiety of two carbons and two hydroxy groups bonded to the ethylene moiety.
Ethylene glycol are type of divalent alcohol with two -OH groups in the molecule. It is sometimes also known as "ethane-1,2-diol" or "1,2-ethanediol. Industrially, it is synthesized from ethylene oxide.
The molecular structural formula of ethylene glycol are HO-CH2-CH2-OH.
The principle of ethylene glycol's action are due to its molecular structure. In other words, it is caused by the simultaneous presence of a hydrophobic ethylene moiety and two hydrophilic hydroxy groups in the molecule. Since it has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups in its molecule, it is easily soluble in water despite being an organic compound.
Ethylene glycol can be further reacted with other raw materials. Ethylene glycol can be used as a starting material to synthesize other compounds. The -OH group in the molecule can be further chemically reacted, so that other compounds can be synthesized from ethylene glycol.
Ethylene glycol are used in large quantities in the industrial field because it is the main raw material for polyester fiber, which is widely used throughout the world. Ethylene glycol are also used to synthesize solvents for paints (eg, cellosolve). Solvents synthesized from ethylene glycol tend to dissolve a wide variety of substances.
If ethylene glycol are accidentally swallowed, it is converted into oxalic acid and other substances in the body. Oxalic acid can cause ureteral stone disease, which can lead to kidney damage and, in the worst case, death. The lethal dose of ethylene glycol varies with age and body weight, but is said to be about 100g on average for human consumption.
Ethylene glycol has slightly sweet taste, so pets may accidentally lick ethylene glycol contained in antifreeze. If a pet swallows more than a lethal amount of ethylene glycol, it is very dangerous, therefore, the antifreeze containing ethylene glycol must be thoroughly controlled in the home.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
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