Xylene 

Alternative Names: ortho-Xylene, 1,2-Dimethylbenzene, o-Xylol

CAS Number: 1330-20-7 EC Number: 202-422-2

Typical Properties:

Xylene is a colourless, flammable liquid with a characteristic sweet odour. Xylene is composed of three isomers: ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, and para-xylene.

Xylene is a very effective solvent because it can dissolve a wide range of substances, including oils, fats, waxes, resins, and polymers. It is commonly used in the paint and coating industry to dissolve and mix pigments and resins to create a uniform, high-quality finish. Xylene is also used in the production of insecticides, herbicides, and other pesticides. In the printing industry, xylene is used as a solvent for inks and cleaning of printing presses. Xylene is also used as a component in the production of synthetic rubber, particularly in the vulcanization process, where rubber is hardened by cross-linking polymer chains.