Chemical laboratory

Perchloroethylene

High-Performance Chlorinated Solvent for Industrial Applications

  • CAS 127-18-4
  • Formula C₂Cl₄
  • Flash Pt N/A °C
  • Density 1.622 g/cm³
Shop Product Download SDS

Physical & Chemical Properties

Property Value Unit
Boiling point 121.1 °C °C
Flash point N/A °C
Density 1.622 g/cm³ g/cm³
Solubility 0.015 g/100 mL at 25 °C -
Ph N/A -
Molecular weight 165.83 g/mol g/mol
Melting point -22 °C °C
Vapor pressure 19 mmHg at 25°C mmHg
Autoignition temp N/A -
Appearance Clear, colorless liquid -
Odor Sweet, chloroform-like -
Vapor density 5.76 (air = 1) g/cm³

Overview

Perchloroethylene (PCE), also known as tetrachloroethylene, is a highly effective chlorinated solvent widely used across industrial applications. With the molecular formula C₂Cl₄ and CAS number 127-18-4, this clear, colorless liquid offers exceptional degreasing and cleaning properties. Its non-flammable nature and excellent solvency make it an ideal choice for demanding industrial processes requiring reliable performance and safety.

Key Applications

  • Dry Cleaning Operations: PCE serves as the primary solvent in professional dry cleaning, effectively removing oils, grease, and stains from delicate fabrics without damaging fibers or causing shrinkage.
  • Metal Degreasing: Industrial facilities rely on perchloroethylene for vapor degreasing of metal components, removing machining oils, cutting fluids, and contaminants from precision parts in automotive and aerospace industries.
  • Chemical Processing: As a chemical intermediate, PCE plays a crucial role in manufacturing fluorocarbons, refrigerants, and other specialized chemicals, serving as both a reactant and process solvent.
  • Heat Transfer Applications: Its thermal stability and non-flammable properties make PCE suitable for specialized heat transfer applications in industrial cooling systems.

Safety & Handling

Perchloroethylene is non-flammable with no flash point, providing inherent safety advantages in industrial environments. However, proper personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing is essential when handling PCE. Adequate ventilation systems are critical due to vapor density of 5.76 times that of air. Work areas should maintain proper air circulation to prevent vapor accumulation, and respiratory protection may be required in enclosed spaces.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store perchloroethylene in tightly sealed, chemically compatible containers away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Recommended storage temperature range is between 15-25°C to maintain product stability. PCE is incompatible with strong bases, aluminum, and certain metals. Use only containers made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or appropriate synthetic materials. When stored properly, PCE maintains its quality indefinitely with minimal degradation.

Why Alliance Chemical

Alliance Chemical provides same-day shipping of high-quality Perchloroethylene Pce Perc from our Taylor, Texas facility. We offer flexible shipping options including UPS for smaller quantities and LTL/FTL freight for bulk orders. Every shipment includes comprehensive Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Certificate of Analysis (COA) to ensure compliance with your quality requirements and regulatory standards.

Shipping & Availability

Parcel Shipping

UPS Ground supports pints, quarts, and most 1-gallon packages nationwide.

LTL Freight

5-gallon pails, drums, and totes move via LTL carriers such as ABF Freight, SEFL, Saia, and XPO.

Full Truckload

FTL available for palletized bulk orders. Competitive freight rates.

Local Pickup

Same-day pickup at our Taylor, TX warehouse for Texas customers.

SDS, COA, and TDS available for every product • Same-day shipping on orders before 1 PM CT

Buy Perchloroethylene by State

Select your state for local shipping times, industry applications, and ordering details.

Available Sizes

Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC) - 1 Quart Can

1 Quart Can

$26.40

 Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC) - 1 Gallon Can

1 Gallon Can

$52.92

 Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC) - 5 Gallon Pail

5 Gallon Pail

$209.00

 Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC) - 55 Gallon Drum

55 Gallon Drum

$1,744.24
View all sizes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC) and what is it used for?
Perchloroethylene (CAS 127-18-4, formula C2Cl4) is a chlorinated solvent widely used for dry cleaning, metal degreasing, parts cleaning and laboratory solvent tasks. It is favored for its nonflammability at ambient conditions, strong solvency for oils and greases, and availability in high-purity grades for industrial and analytical use.
How should perchloroethylene be stored and what is its shelf life?
Store PCE in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and incompatible materials, in tightly sealed containers made of compatible materials (e.g., stainless steel or glass). Typical unopened shelf life is around 1–3 years depending on grade and storage conditions; always check the supplier Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for expiration guidance.
What safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) are needed when handling PCE?
Use engineering controls (local exhaust or fume hood) to limit vapour exposure, wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl), safety goggles and protective clothing, and use respiratory protection if exposure may exceed occupational limits. PCE is a CNS depressant and is classified as a probable human carcinogen; follow the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and occupational exposure limits (e.g., OSHA PEL 100 ppm, ACGIH TLV 25 ppm).
What are the common concentration and purity options for perchloroethylene?
PCE is supplied in various purities, typically from about 95% (industrial grades with additives) up to >99.9% (reagent/analytical grades), and can also be offered as stabilized blends for dry-cleaning or parts washing. Impurities and stabilizers vary by grade, so request a CoA for exact composition when purity is critical.
What documentation is available for perchloroethylene when buying from a supplier?
Suppliers typically provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (CoA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), and regulatory compliance documents (e.g., REACH registration, TSCA status) upon request. Always review the SDS for hazard, handling and emergency information and the CoA for batch-specific purity and impurity data.
How is perchloroethylene shipped and what packaging options are common?
PCE is regulated for transport and commonly shipped under UN 1897; transport must comply with local DOT/IMDG/IATA regulations. Packaging options include steel drums (200 L), intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), UN-rated drums, and small laboratory bottles (1 L–5 L), with suitable labeling and documentation.
Which materials are compatible or incompatible with perchloroethylene?
PCE is generally compatible with stainless steel, glass and PTFE, but can attack or swell some rubbers, certain plastics (e.g., natural rubber, some PVCs) and reactive metals under specific conditions. Always consult a chemical compatibility chart and perform compatibility testing for seals, gaskets and hoses before prolonged use.
What are the key technical specifications for perchloroethylene I should check?
Key specs include CAS (127-18-4), molecular weight (~165.83 g/mol), purity (%), boiling point (~121 °C), density (~1.62 g/cm3 at 20 °C) and vapor pressure; suppliers also report impurity levels, water content and refractive index. Request the CoA and TDS to confirm batch-specific values for critical applications.
What industries and specific applications commonly use perchloroethylene?
Major users include commercial dry-cleaning, metal finishing and parts cleaning, automotive and aerospace maintenance, and laboratories using PCE as a solvent or reference standard. It is also used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis and for analytical applications where strong nonflammable solvency is required.
How can I purchase perchloroethylene and what should I ask the supplier?
Perchloroethylene is widely available from chemical distributors in multiple grades and pack sizes; request the grade, CoA, SDS, lead time, minimum order quantity and any regulatory documentation relevant to your jurisdiction. Also confirm storage, transport requirements and whether the product contains stabilizers or other additives that could affect your application.

Documentation & Downloads

Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Request COA
Certificate of Analysis
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Available for all products

Ready to Purchase?

SDS & COA included • Same-day shipping • No minimum order

Shop Perchloroethylene