What is white spirit?

White spirit, mineral spirits, or turpentine represents a general-purpose organic solvent used chiefly in the painting and decorating trade. The chemical composition of white spirit includes a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain, or alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. White spirit is colorless, mild in odor, and less volatile compared to the above-mentioned solvents; therefore, it finds wider application in many processes.

History of white spirit

Mineral spirits arguably are a discovery that follows from the great stride of the petroleum industry in the 19th century. These white spirits are petroleum-based substitutes for naturally derived or simply natural solvents, which gained acceptance in the painting industry due to their lower cost and performance in paint-thinning. Further improvements have been guided by health and safety concerns, hence making variants with minimal toxicity available, such as odorless mineral spirits. While white spirit remains among the commonly used solvents in many instances, its flammability and hence possible health implications require the best practices of handling and precautions.

white spirit properties

Physical:

• Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
• Odor: Characteristic, unpleasant kerosene-like smell (low-odor versions available)
• Viscosity: Low viscosity

Chemical:

• Composition: Mixture of aliphatic (paraffin) and aromatic hydrocarbons (C7-C12 range)
• Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in oils and many organic solvents

Flammability:

• Flashpoint: Low (flammable liquid) – typically around 105°C (221°F)
• Autoignition temperature: 240°C (464°F)
• Explosion limits: 0.6–6.5% by volume in air (highly flammable when vapors are mixed with air)

Others:

• Volatility: Moderate to high, evaporates readily
• Toxicity: Low to moderate toxicity, can irritate inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion

various grades

Low Flash Grade: It is the lowest grade of flash, normally between 21°C and 30°C or 70°F/86°F. That means it is highly flammable and less common; hence, it calls for extreme caution. The low flash-grade white spirits are not common in application because of safety concerns but are usually kept for specialized use in an industry where their properties will be needed.

Regular Flash Grade: It is considered the workhorse of the white spirit family and, as such, is used within the family in the highest percentage. The normal flash grade shows a good balance between its flammability and evaporation rate. This flash point falls within the bracket of 31°C to 54°C (88°F-129°F). Hence, suitable for a wide range of tasks. Among several applications, this grade can be found in paint thinning, cleaning tools and machinery, and various degreasing applications.

High Flash Grade: The name suggests that this grade is all about safety, and it boasts the highest flash point above 54°C, which accounts for 129°F. That places it as the most flame-retardant option among the white spirits. However, that high flash might come at the cost of a lower evaporation rate, which will implicate some areas of effectiveness. The high flash grade is suitable for situations where fire hazard is an important factor, such as when working in confined areas or close to sources of heat.

Application and uses of white spirit

White spirits, also known as mineral spirits, are among the most highly used organic industrial and household solvents. The three salient properties of white spirits are that they thin paints, dissolve grease, and act as cleaning agents; hence, they find huge applications in many industries.

Core Applications:

Paint Thinner and Cleaner:  White spirit, or as commonly known as mineral spirits, is among one of the most immensely used industrial and household solvents. Its three essential properties include the thinning of paints, dissolving grease, and acting as a cleaning agent, making it of huge use in many industries.

Degreasing Agent:  It does an excellent job of eliminating grease, oil, and grime from metallic surfaces of machinery and tools. That is why white spirit has been commonly used to clean various parts and engines in motor vehicle workshops.

Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing: Mineral spirits’ degreasing properties extend beyond automotive applications to various industrial cleaning and degreasing processes.

The solvent in Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector utilizes white spirit as a solvent in the production of paints, coatings, waxes, varnishes, adhesives, printing inks, and even liquid photocopier toners.

Substance Extraction: White spirit’s ability to dissolve certain substances finds application in specific industrial extraction processes.

Artistic Applications:  Mineral spirits are utilized in the creative area as a diluent in oil paints to change viscosity or consistency. It is also one of the well-recognized cleaning solvents for brushes that artists use since its odor and toxicity are much milder than that of turpentine.

Packing of white spirit

Drums:

• Material: Typically made of steel or plastic (HDPE).
• Capacity: Commonly available in 200-liter drums, but other sizes can be customized.
• Advantages: Durable, stackable, and reusable.
• Disadvantages: Handling and storage can be cumbersome.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs):

• Material: Plastic (often HDPE).
• Capacity: Generally ranges from 1000 to 1500 liters.
• Advantages: Efficient for bulk transportation, easy to handle with a forklift.
• Disadvantages: They are not as durable as drums, and there is potential for contamination.

Bulk Storage Tanks:

• Material: Typically made of steel.
• Capacity: Can hold thousands of liters.
• Advantages: Cost-effective for large-scale storage, efficient for production processes.
• Disadvantages: Requires specialized infrastructure and safety measures.