Acetone

Acetone (CAS 67-64-1) is a fast-evaporating solvent, and our ACS reagent grade meets the specifications of the American Chemical Society for purity, low water content, and minimal non-volatile residue. That distinction matters. Hardware-store and cosmetic-grade acetone is often diluted with water and can leave a film when it flashes off, which ruins critical surface-prep and lab applications.

Our acetone is a clear, colorless liquid with a purity typically at or above 99.5%, controlled water content, and residue-on-evaporation held to trace levels. It dries clean, leaving no oily or hazy footprint behind. For shops and production lines that need the same clean-drying solvent without reagent certification, we also stock a lower-cost Technical grade in the identical size range.

We stock it in sizes from a single quart up to a 330-gallon tote, so a bench chemist and a production shop can both order the exact volume they need without overbuying or repackaging.

We stock acetone in two grades: ACS reagent grade and Technical grade. Both are the same clear, colorless, fast-drying liquid — no gel, no additive package, no denaturant — the difference is the level of certification behind the purity.

ACS reagent grade is verified against American Chemical Society specifications: tight limits on water, non-volatile residue, and trace impurities. Choose it for laboratory work, analytical procedures, electronics and precision surface prep, or any process where a certificate against a recognized specification matters.

Technical grade is high-purity workhorse acetone at a lower price point. Choose it for general degreasing, paint and coating prep, composites and fiberglass cleanup, and shop use where reagent certification is not required.

Both grades ship in the same size ladder — 1 quart and 1 gallon for bench and small-shop use, up through 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, and 330-gallon totes for production. Within each grade, every size is the identical product, so results stay consistent as you scale volume.

Acetone is used wherever you need a fast, clean-drying solvent that leaves no residue. In laboratories it serves as a general solvent, a glassware rinse, and a carrier for sample prep and extraction work.

Common industrial and technical uses include:

• Electronics and surface prep — removing flux, oils, and handling residue before bonding, coating, or soldering.
• Composites and fiberglass — cleaning uncured resin from tools, rollers, and mixing equipment, and wiping down laminates before finishing.
• Paint and coating prep — degreasing and cleaning substrates so primers and paints adhere properly.
• Extraction and processing — dissolving resins, waxes, and organic compounds.

Because it evaporates quickly and leaves minimal residue, ACS-grade acetone is preferred over cheaper grades wherever a clean, dry surface is critical to the next step.

Store acetone in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from all heat, sparks, open flame, and direct sunlight. Acetone is highly flammable, so keep it clear of ignition sources and in a designated flammable-liquids storage cabinet or area wherever local codes require one.

Keep containers tightly closed when not in use to limit evaporation and vapor buildup, since the vapor is heavier than air and can travel to a distant ignition source. Store away from strong oxidizers and strong bases, which are incompatible.

Keep the product in its original container or in packaging rated for flammable solvents; acetone can attack certain plastics and rubber. Ground and bond containers when transferring to prevent static discharge. Maintain good ventilation in the storage area to keep vapor concentrations low.

Sealed ACS-grade acetone in its original container typically remains usable for two or more years when stored properly. Acetone is chemically stable and does not readily degrade on its own under normal storage conditions.

The most common quality issue is not chemical breakdown but contamination and water pickup. Acetone is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, so a container left open or loosely capped will gradually gain water content and lose the low-water advantage that defines ACS grade.

To preserve purity, keep containers tightly sealed, minimize headspace and open-air exposure, and avoid returning used solvent to the original container. For critical lab work, verify water content before use if the container has been opened repeatedly or stored for an extended period.

Acetone is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point of roughly minus 20 degrees Celsius (about minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), so it can ignite at normal room temperature. Under DOT it ships as UN1090, Acetone, Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II.

Handle only in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources. Wear chemical-splash goggles and solvent-resistant gloves such as nitrile or butyl; standard latex offers poor protection. Avoid breathing vapor, which can cause dizziness, headache, and eye, nose, and throat irritation.

Vapors are heavier than air and can form flammable mixtures that travel along the ground. Bond and ground containers during transfer to control static. Keep a Class B fire extinguisher accessible. Always consult the Safety Data Sheet before use and follow all applicable workplace exposure limits.

Dispose of waste acetone as a regulated flammable hazardous waste in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations — never pour it down the drain or into storm sewers. Acetone is a listed hazardous waste when discarded and must be managed accordingly.

Collect used solvent in a properly labeled, compatible waste container and store it away from ignition sources until pickup by a licensed hazardous-waste hauler. Do not mix incompatible waste streams, and keep oxidizers and strong bases out of the container.

For transport, acetone is regulated as UN1090, Class 3. Orders ship as fully compliant DOT hazmat ground freight from our facility in Taylor, TX. Always review the Safety Data Sheet for full disposal guidance and confirm requirements with your local environmental authority.