what is white spirit?

White spirit, also known as mineral spirits or mineral turpentine, is a versatile solvent primarily used in the painting and decorating industry. Derived from petroleum, it is a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain, or alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons. White spirit is colorless, has a mild odor, and is less volatile than other solvents, making it a popular choice for various applications.

History of white spirit

The emergence of mineral spirits can be traced back to the significant advancements in the petroleum industry during the 19th century. As a petroleum-derived alternative to traditional, often natural, solvents, white spirit found favor in the painting industry due to its cost-effectiveness and efficacy as a paint thinner. Subsequent refinements were driven by a focus on health and safety, resulting in the development of less toxic variants like odorless mineral spirits. While white spirit remains a widely used solvent across various applications, its flammability and potential health hazards necessitate proper handling and safety 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:

• Flash point: 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 cause irritation upon inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion

grades

Low Flash Grade: This grade holds the distinction of having the lowest flash point, typically falling between 21°C and 30°C (70°F and 86°F). This translates to a highly flammable liquid, making it less common and requiring extreme caution during use. Due to the safety concerns, low flash grade white spirit is often reserved for very specialized industrial applications where its specific properties are essential.

Regular Flash Grade: This is the workhorse of the white spirit family, accounting for the vast majority of its use. The regular flash grade offers a well-balanced compromise between flammability and evaporation rate. Its flash point ranges from 31°C to 54°C (88°F to 129°F), making it suitable for a wide variety of tasks. This grade finds use in paint thinning, cleaning tools and machinery, and various degreasing applications.

High Flash Grade: As the name implies, this grade prioritizes safety with the highest flash point, exceeding 54°C (129°F). This makes it the most flame-retardant option among white spirits. However, the high flash point can come at the cost of a slower evaporation rate, which may affect its effectiveness in certain applications. The high flash grade is ideal for situations where fire risk is a major concern, such as in enclosed spaces or near heat sources.

Application and uses of white spirit

White spirit, also known as mineral spirits, is a ubiquitous solvent employed across various industries and domestic applications. Its key properties – the ability to thin paints, dissolve grease, and act as a cleaning agent – make it a valuable tool in numerous sectors.

Core Applications:

Paint Thinner and Cleaner: Undoubtedly the most prevalent use, white spirit effectively thins oil-based paints and varnishes, facilitating smoother application and efficient cleaning of brushes, rollers, and painting equipment.

Degreasing Agent: White spirit excels at removing grease, oil, and grime from a variety of surfaces, including metal, machinery, and tools. This makes it a preferred choice in automotive workshops for cleaning parts and engines.

Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing: Beyond automotive applications, mineral spirits ‘s degreasing properties extend to various industrial cleaning and degreasing processes.

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: In the artistic realm, mineral spirits serves as a diluent for oil paints, allowing for adjustments to viscosity and consistency. It is also a popular cleaning solvent for artists’ brushes due to its milder odor and toxicity compared to turpentine.

Packing of white spirit

Containers:

mineral spirits is primarily packaged in industrial-grade metal cans or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers. These containers are rigorously tested and certified to be leak-proof and meet specific volume limitations set by regulatory bodies. For larger quantities, galvanized steel drums are employed, offering additional durability for industrial use.

Volume:

The available container sizes for white spirit will depend on regional regulations. Typically, they range from small consumer-sized containers (250ml or less) to larger industrial containers holding several liters (up to 20 liters or more). It’s important to note that transporting larger quantities may necessitate special permits depending on your location.