Introduction and Application Scenarios of Isohexadecane

Isohexadecane (CAS No.: 93685-80-4) is a highly branched saturated hydrocarbon with C16H34 as the main component. Boasting stable chemical properties, low toxicity, odorlessness, and excellent solubility, it finds wide applications in multiple fields. The detailed introduction is as follows:

Basic Properties

Physical and Chemical Properties: It appears as a colorless and transparent liquid, containing almost no aromatics or sulfur with a faint odor. Its boiling point ranges from 250°C to 290°C, viscosity is 3.5cP, and melting point is as low as -70°C, ensuring no crystallization in extreme environments. It has stable chemical properties, is not easy to oxidize or deteriorate. Additionally, it exhibits excellent compatibility, being fully soluble in hydrocarbons such as silicone oil and mineral oil, and has good dissolving power for various organic substances.

Safety and Environmental Properties: This substance is low-toxic, non-irritating to human skin, and less likely to cause sensitization. It is readily biodegradable. Compared with traditional aromatic solvents, it is more in line with the development trend of green environmental protection, providing higher safety whether used in cosmetics contacting the human body or in industrial fields contacting operators.

Core Application Scenarios

Cosmetics and Fragrance Field: In skincare products, it can replace volatile silicone oil and is used in emulsions, creams, etc. It makes products smooth to apply, imparts a fresh and residue-free skin feel, and helps the penetration of functional ingredients such as vitamins. In sunscreen products, it can dissolve sunscreens and enhance the water-resistant durability of the products. In color cosmetics, it serves as a carrier for eyeshadows, lipsticks, etc., enabling uniform dispersion of pigments and improving color development and adhesion. In fragrance products, it is a high-quality base—for example, when blended with soy wax to make scented candles, it can extend the burning time; it can also be used as a plasticizer in solid aroma wax sheets to make the wax sheets feel delicate and prolong the fragrance release cycle.

Industrial Cleaning Field: It is an efficient cleaning agent in the industrial cleaning field, with strong dissolving power for various oils such as cutting fluid residues and stamping oil, and can quickly strip oil stains from the surfaces of metals, plastics and other materials. Its volatility is moderate, and it can volatilize rapidly without residue after cleaning, avoiding secondary pollution. It is suitable for scenarios such as the cleaning of wafers and optical parts in the electronics industry, and the cleaning of parts after metal processing. Meanwhile, its low-toxic and odorless characteristics can protect the health of operators.

Chemical and Manufacturing Field: In the production of coatings and inks, it can be used as a solvent to improve the uniformity of coatings and inks, making the paint film or printing layer smoother and flatter, which is suitable for furniture coating, automotive painting and other scenarios. In plastic processing, it can be used as a plasticizer to improve the processability and flexibility of plastics. In addition, it can be used in the formulation of lubricating oils, such as stamping oil, metalworking oil or rust-preventive oil, to enhance the service performance of the oil products.

Other Special Fields: In aerosol products, it can be used as a propellant. With its stable chemical properties and appropriate vapor pressure, it allows the contents such as insecticides and air fresheners to be sprayed evenly and stably. In the pharmaceutical industry, it can be used as a solvent for the extraction and separation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, helping to purify effective substances. In the pesticide field, it can also be used in the formulations of herbicides, insecticides and other agents.