Product Overview
Perchloroethylene ACS Grade, also known as tetrachloroethylene (CAS 127-18-4), is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic ether-like odor. As a highly stable, noncombustible chlorinated solvent, it plays a vital role across multiple industrial supply chains. At Alliance Chemical, we distribute high-purity solvents to meet the strict demands of laboratory synthesis and high-tolerance industrial cleaning. This compound has a molecular formula of C2Cl4 and a molecular weight of 165.8, serving as a robust carrier for specialized processes where water solubility is not tolerated.
The physical properties of this compound make it highly valued as a heavy-duty degreasing solvent, a dry cleaning solvent, and a drying agent for metals. Because it is noncombustible and insoluble in water, it provides a safe, stable medium for processes requiring minimal moisture interference. With a high density of approximately 13.5 lb / gal, this chemical sinks below water, allowing for efficient separation in aqueous systems. Our clients buy Perchloroethylene ACS Grade to use in precision metal cleaning, chemical manufacturing, and laboratory extraction workflows where consistent performance is paramount.
Why This Grade
ACS Reagent Grade chemicals are manufactured to meet the strict analytical standards set by the American Chemical Society. This grade ensures a highly controlled specification profile, minimizing trace contaminants that can disrupt sensitive chemical reactions. When your process demands a highly purified solvent without unwanted stabilizers or high levels of volatile impurities, ACS Grade is the standard choice. Using a lower-grade solvent in analytical environments can result in failed quality control tests, damaged equipment, or unpredictable reaction kinetics.
Choosing a lower-grade alternative, such as technical or industrial grade, can introduce volatile organic compounds or moisture that interfere with spectroscopic analysis or synthetic pathways. In metal finishing or precision degreasing, impurities in non-ACS grades can leave microscopic residues on critical parts, leading to adhesion failures in subsequent coating or plating processes. Alliance Chemical provides this premium ACS Grade to ensure maximum process integrity, eliminating the failure modes associated with off-spec solvent products.
Chemical Profile
- CAS Number
- 127-18-4
- Chemical Formula
- C2Cl4
- Molecular Weight
- 165.8 g/mol
- Boiling Point
- 250 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
- Melting Point
- -2 °F (NTP, 1992)
- Flash Point
- No flash point in conventional closed tester. °C
- Specific Gravity
- 1.63 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
- Appearance
- Perchloroethylene appears as a clear colorless volatile liquid having an ether-like odor. Noncombustible. Insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Density approximately 13.5 lb / gal. Used as dry cleaning solvent, a degreasing solvent, a drying agent for metals, and in the manufacture of other chemicals.
- Solubility
- less than 0.1 mg/mL at 63 °F (NTP, 1992)
- UN Number
- UN1897
- Hazard Class
- Class 6.1
- Packing Group
- III
- Proper Shipping Name
- TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
- GHS Signal Word
- Danger
Values sourced from Alliance Chemical's canonical chemistry registry. Certificate of Analysis (COA) per lot.
Industrial Applications
- Used widely as a professional dry cleaning solvent in the textile industry to safely remove oils and grease from garments without damaging fabrics.
- Applied as a high-density vapor degreasing solvent for cleaning critical metal parts and components in aviation and manufacturing sectors.
- Serves as an essential chemical intermediate and feedstock in the synthesis of fluorinated refrigerants and other chlorinated organic compounds.
- Utilized as a drying agent for metals, effectively displacing water from metal surfaces during intricate plating and finishing operations.
- Deployed in analytical laboratories for liquid-liquid extraction processes that require a heavy, non-flammable solvent with reliable physical characteristics.
Hazmat & Shipping
Perchloroethylene ACS Grade is a regulated hazardous material. It must be transported under strict DOT guidelines as UN1897, Hazard Class 6.1, Packing Group III. The Proper Shipping Name is TETRACHLOROETHYLENE. With the signal word Danger, this product carries hazard statements H351 (Suspected of causing cancer) and H411 (Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects). No GHS pictograms are applicable according to the canonical safety profile for this specific distribution entry, but compliance with standard safe handling rules for chlorinated hydrocarbons is mandatory.
To mitigate exposure risks associated with these hazard statements, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required under OSHA regulations. Operators must wear chemical-resistant gloves (such as viton or nitrile), protective clothing, and splash-resistant safety goggles as specified under precaution P280. When working in confined spaces, a NIOSH-approved respirator is critical to prevent inhalation of heavy vapors. Every shipment is carefully packaged to comply with hazardous shipping regulations, and a comprehensive Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is provided with every order to ensure transport and site safety.
Handling & Storage
Store Perchloroethylene ACS Grade in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, maintaining a temperature range below 95 °F to minimize vapor pressure buildup. Ensure container compatibility by keeping the solvent in its original steel or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers, as certain plastics will degrade when exposed to chlorinated solvents. This compound is highly incompatible with strong oxidizers, chemically active metals such as barium, lithium, and beryllium, as well as strong bases. Always keep containers tightly closed when not in use to prevent evaporation and exposure to the surrounding environment.
Order & Documentation
Alliance Chemical makes sourcing high-purity reagents simple and reliable for commercial laboratories and industrial facilities alike. We ensure full transparency by offering a Certificate of Analysis (COA) available upon request for every batch we ship, verifying chemical purity and trace compound limits. For complete handling details, please consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided with every order of solvents. To secure your supply, you can Request a Quote for bulk volumes or Download the SDS directly from our online portal.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
Since 1997, Alliance Chemical has supplied premium industrial chemicals from Taylor, Texas under CAGE Code 1LT50, with a COA and SDS included on every order. For industrial use only.
