Sec-Butyl Acetate CAS 105-46-4

Introduction to Sec-Butyl Acetate

Sec-Butyl Acetate is the ester product of acetic acid and sec-butanol, classified as a medium-fast evaporating oxygenated solvent. It exhibits strong solvency for a wide range of natural and synthetic resins, rubbers and polymers, with a faster evaporation rate than n-butyl acetate and a milder, less irritating odor profile. It appears as a clear colorless liquid at room temperature, slightly soluble in water and fully miscible with most common organic solvents.

Industrial production follows continuous esterification with refined distillation to achieve narrow boiling range and consistent purity. Its balanced volatility and solvency make it a standard workhorse solvent for industrial coatings, packaging inks and adhesive manufacturing, supporting both fast production throughput and high-quality finished appearance.

Sec-Butyl Acetate Chemical & Physical Properties

Applications of Sec-Butyl Acetate

Solvent-based coatings and inks: Used as a fast-drying active solvent in nitrocellulose lacquers, acrylic coatings, polyurethane paints and screen printing inks. It regulates evaporation rate, improves flow and gloss, and reduces pinhole and orange-peel defects, making it ideal for high-speed industrial coating lines and packaging gravure inks.

Adhesives and sealants: Incorporated into solvent-based polyurethane adhesives, polychloroprene cements and contact adhesives. It dissolves rubber and resin binders, adjusts application viscosity, improves substrate wetting and accelerates cure speed to boost initial bond strength.

Electronic precision cleaning: Serves as a fast-drying cleaning agent for removing flux residues, grease and particulate contaminants from printed circuit boards and precision electronic components. It leaves minimal ionic residue, evaporates quickly and is compatible with most plastics and metal substrates.

Extraction and chemical synthesis: Applied in liquid-liquid extraction of natural products, fragrances and fine chemicals. It also functions as a reaction medium for organic synthesis processes, offering moderate polarity and easy recovery via distillation for solvent recycling.

Storage & Safety Precautions for Sec-Butyl Acetate

• Classified as a Class IB flammable liquid. Store in tightly sealed steel containers in a cool, well-ventilated flammable liquid warehouse. Keep far away from open flame, heat sources and strong oxidizers. Bond and ground all transfer equipment to prevent static spark buildup.
• Wear solvent-resistant goggles, nitrile gloves and vapor respirators during bulk transfer. Avoid inhalation of vapors and prolonged skin contact. No open flame or smoking is permitted in handling areas. Use only with adequate explosion-proof ventilation.
• Store separately from strong acids, strong bases and oxidizing agents. Transport in accordance with flammable liquid regulations; protect from direct sunlight, impact and temperature extremes during shipment.

Sec-Butyl Acetate FAQ

Q: How does sec-butyl acetate differ from n-butyl acetate?

A: Sec-butyl acetate evaporates faster than n-butyl acetate with comparable solvency and a milder odor. It delivers quicker drying in coatings and inks, reduces reliance on higher-volatility solvents, and improves flow leveling to minimize surface defects.

Q: What are the core industrial uses of sec-butyl acetate?

A: It is primarily used in solvent-based coatings, printing inks and adhesives, and also serves as a precision cleaning agent for electronics and an extraction solvent for fine chemical and natural product processing.

Q: What safety precautions apply to storage and handling?

A: It is a flammable liquid. Store in a cool, ventilated flammable liquid warehouse away from flame and oxidizers, with all containers grounded. Wear proper PPE during handling, avoid vapor inhalation and prohibit open flame in work areas.