Dichloromethane (CAS 75-09-2): A Versatile Solvent for Industrial Cleaning and Surface Treatment

Among the numerous chemical raw materials used in chemical production, dichloromethane (DCM, CAS No. 75-09-2) holds a significant position in the field of industrial cleaning and surface treatment due to its unique properties.

As a halogenated hydrocarbon compound with the molecular structure CH₂Cl₂, dichloromethane possesses a distinct molecular polarity. This structure endows it with both hydrophilic and lipophilic characteristics, laying the foundation for its application in industrial cleaning.

In industrial cleaning applications, dichloromethane functions based on its unique molecular properties. During the cleaning process, its polarity allows it to effectively penetrate oil-contaminated interfaces. The chlorine atoms, with their strong electronegativity, can disrupt intermolecular forces in organic substances, weakening the adhesion between oil contaminants and the substrate. Simultaneously, the CH₂ group, structurally similar to grease molecules, interacts well with oils based on the "like dissolves like" principle, thereby removing grease from the substrate surface. In paint stripping operations, dichloromethane rapidly penetrates the paint film, causing polymer chains to swell. Combined with surfactants that reduce interfacial tension, it enables the complete peeling of old paint layers from the substrate.

Dichloromethane offers notable advantages in industrial cleaning. It boasts a broad-spectrum solvency, capable of dissolving over 300 types of organic substances, including greases, resins, and rubbers. This makes it effective against common industrial oils and complex organic residues. Its rapid evaporation is another key feature. With a relatively low boiling point, it leaves no residue on the substrate after treatment, ensuring a clean surface. Furthermore, compared to traditional solvents like carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane is less toxic. In today's increasingly stringent environmental landscape, this characteristic enhances its competitiveness. Additionally, it exhibits excellent compatibility, forming azeotropic systems with various solvents such as alcohols and ethers, providing greater flexibility in designing cleaning formulations.

In practical applications, dichloromethane delivers outstanding performance. For instance, in industrial cleaning agent formulations, dichloromethane serves as the primary solvent responsible for the main dissolving action. It is combined with surfactants to reduce surface tension and enhance penetration, corrosion inhibitors to protect metal substrates, stabilizers to prevent solvent decomposition and acidic byproduct formation, and co-solvents to adjust evaporation rates and improve low-temperature performance. Such formulations efficiently accomplish various industrial cleaning tasks. Amid tightening environmental regulations, dichloromethane's recyclable nature enables solvent recovery and reuse in closed-loop cleaning systems. This offers a sustainable solution for the surface treatment industry, making it an indispensable chemical raw material in industrial cleaning.

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