Di(Propylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Acetate, often known among chemists and industrial users as DPM Acetate, comes from the larger family of glycol ether acetates. This chemical falls under the CAS number 88917-22-0, a unique identifier used worldwide. Most people working around chemicals will recognize it by its relatively mild odor and pale, clear liquid form at room temperature. In labs, it's a common ingredient, always handled in tightly controlled environments because safety sits as a top priority. Its structure, built on repeating propylene glycol units, heads off with a methyl ether group before rounding out with the acetate functional group. Looking at its molecular formula, C10H20O5, I remember my first time learning how those units all slip together, assembled in a way that makes this ether an excellent carrier for other substances.
DPM Acetate clocks in with a molecular weight of about 220.26 g/mol. That number matters every time chemists measure out quantities for industrial or lab use. It stays a liquid over a wide range of temperatures – a quality that keeps it reliable in manufacturing and processing settings. Liquid at standard temperature and pressure, without turning into flakes, powder, pearls, or any solid form, DPM Acetate flows smoothly and mixes easily in solutions. Its colorless appearance makes it easy to spot impurities, so users can see at a glance whether something looks off in a sample. Looking for it in a bottle, it lands somewhere between water and oil, both in look and how it pours. Density hovers around 1.01 grams per cubic centimeter, a value that matters when figuring out how much to add to batches or storage drums. Measured by the liter or gallon, bigger plants always check density per shipment to avoid errors in their end products.
Diving further into the structure, each molecule builds from propylene oxide units glued by ether linkages, capped with an acetate. It remains stable in air and resists reacting with water or most acids under standard working conditions. That stability factors into why paint and coating companies rely on it so much. With boiling points around 230°C and flash points above 95°C, the compound stands up to regular heat in most factories. Hazard assessments rate it as a moderate risk, so proper ventilation, gloves, and goggles keep workers clear from breathing in fumes or catching skin contact. More aggressive acids or strong bases can chew through this molecule, but under basic storage it keeps for months without breakdown.
Each shipment of Di(Propylene Glycol) Methyl Ether Acetate comes tagged with the Harmonized System (HS) Code 2915390090, placing it neatly under esters of acetic acid categories pushed through customs in bulk. Quality control teams scan shipments for moisture, acidity, color, and residue, maintaining product consistency that major buyers demand. Liquid purity typically runs over 98%, with water below 0.1% to keep shelf life long and mixing behaviors predictable. Transparency in describing these specs goes beyond paperwork; packing and handling standards fall under national guidelines to lock in worker safety.
Factories everywhere depend on DPM Acetate for its solvent power in paints, printing inks, coatings, and cleaning agents. From my experience in industrial supply, I watched production lines speed up because this material made paints flow just right and dried without leaving trouble behind. OEM’s look for a chemical that stands up to rigorous use, and DPM Acetate checks that box. As a raw material, it enters as a liquid, blending with pigments or resins and shepherding them onto surfaces, or helping scrub away residues on sensitive electronics. Its chemical backbone, free from crystal formations, keeps clogging at bay and equipment running smoothly.
Every operator in a plant knows about the hazards tied to glycol ethers. Exposure happens most often through inhalation or contact with skin, prompting facilities to set up exhaust hoods and PPE usage as routine. Government safety advisories tie overexposure to headaches, dizziness, and irritation, making daily monitoring standard protocol in responsible plants. Fire risk hangs around, especially if vapors build up in closed spaces, so storing it in tightly sealed drums and away from ignition sources shapes daily best practices. Spills get cleaned immediately; a practice drilled into every new hire, so nobody gets left guessing. Industry-wide adoption of training sessions mean less hazard and harm showing up in worker health records.
Watching regulators tighten rules on solvents, eco-conscious manufacturers have begun searching for greener alternatives and closed-loop systems to cut waste. Spill kits and containment plans limit environmental impact. Real commitment to environmental protection involves tracking every drum from loading dock to waste disposal, and investing in regular training. Plants swapping in DPM Acetate for harsher solvents help cut down on workplace complaints and boost compliance scores, but the next step revolves around investing in robust ventilation and safety gear until cleaner solvents can fully take over. Testing substitutes in pilot runs and sharing the results with both suppliers and buyers keeps everyone in the loop and pushing innovation forward.