Solvent Oil (Mineral Turpentine / White Spirit)

About This Product

Alkyd and oil-based gloss paints, undercoats, varnishes and wood stains are thinned with it; brushes and spray equipment are cleaned with it; and it serves for metal degreasing, parts washing and as the carrier in polishes, wood preservatives and rust-preventive fluids. Known in the trade as mineral turpentine or white spirit, this petroleum solvent displaced gum turpentine in paints and cleaning and is still the usual thinner for solvent-borne decorative coatings.

Production begins with a straight-run petroleum fraction, generally treated afterwards to take out sulphur and odorous compounds. What is left is mainly paraffins and naphthenes, and the aromatic fraction is limited to 8.0 vol % maximum (ASTM D-1319). That low figure is deliberate. Aromatics strengthen solvency but bring more smell and more vapour exposure, which decorating products and odour-sensitive workplaces are better without, and the solvent remains strong enough for alkyd, oleoresinous and bituminous binders. Industrial coatings and inks that need much more solvency are better served by the aromatic solvents in this catalogue, toluene and xylenes; solvent oil is the mainly aliphatic choice, valued for lower odour and gentler solvency in decorative and maintenance work.

Three results address odour and metal attack. The doctor test (ASTM D-4952) is negative, meaning that mercaptans, sulphur compounds that smell unpleasant and corrode metal, are not present at a level the method can detect. Sulphur is 0.05 wt % maximum (ASTM D-4294), and the copper strip corrosion test (ASTM D-130, 3 hours at 50 °C) is passed, so copper and brass components cleaned with the solvent should not tarnish.

For a formulator, distillation (ASTM D-86) deserves the first look, because it sets the evaporation rate and with it the time a paint remains workable. The end point is 150 °C maximum, the initial boiling point is reported, and the figures are confirmed with each offer. When replacing a solvent already in a formulation, compare these values and the specific gravity, 0.70 – 0.74 at 60/60 °F (ASTM D-1298), with those of the current supply. Check appearance on arrival: the product should be bright and clear and free from suspended matter.

The material originates in Pakistan. BG Petro Chemicals ships it in drums or IBC tanks for smaller users and ISO tanks for bulk, and other packaging can be arranged to order. A certificate of analysis accompanies every lot; the technical datasheet and the SDS, which sets out fire and handling precautions, are available on request.