Butyl acetate in the wood finishing industry

Butyl acetate in the chemical industry is also known by several names: n-BuAc, n-butyl acetate, normal butyl acetate, acetic acid n-butyl ester, butyl acetate, n-butyl ethanoate, ethanoic acid, and n-butyl ester. Butyl acetate is made in the chemical industry by the esterification of acetic acid and butanol. It is an organic chemical compound included in the ester group with the chemical formula C6H12O2. It is a clear liquid with a fruity odor. This solvent is one of the important solvents in the coating and finishing material industry

The properties of butyl acetate

Butyl actetate has excellent properties that make it very popular in the wood coating industry. Here are the properties of butyl acetate. 

Moderate volatility 

Butyl actetate has a moderate evaporation rate, making it ideal for applications that require fast but not too fast drying. His evaporation speed makes this solvent work very well as a thinner coating. The butyl actetate used for top coat thinner to make good flow for the film formed. 

• Good solvability to many type of coating

Butyl acetate can dissolve many resins, including acrylic, nitrocellulose, urethane, butyrate, vynil, and many important materials to make coating.  Butyl actetate is widely used as an active solvent for paint and coating (sealer, top coat, enamel, primer, base coat) of various types: NC, PU, ​​UV, polyester, acrylic, etc.  

• High compatibility with many other chemical

Butyl acetate can be mixed with a variety of other organic solvents, making it flexible in a variety of formulations to make paint thinner. Even though butyl acetate can be used as a sole solvent, it is usually mixed with other solvents due to various considerations such as material compatibility, drying time, paint character, and also the economical reason. 

• Pleasant odor

It has a fruity odor, which makes it preferable to other solvents that have a strong or unpleasant odor. It is also considered more environmentally friendly than the aromatic solvents.

The physical properties of Butyl acetate can be seen below:

The uses of Butyl Acetate

• Solvent for resin and paint

Butyl acetate is an ideal solvent to dissolve most solvent-based resins and coatings. This solvent is widely used as the active solvent for many types of coating, such as nitrocellulose, acrylic, polyester, and polyurethane. Technically, he can also be used to dissolve other traditional finishing materials such as melamic, shelac, varnish, and synthetic coatings. However, because the price is relatively expensive, the use of this solvent is more limited to finishing materials, which can accept his price. As the active solvent, the butyl acetate is usually mixed with other solvents to be used as a thinner. There are many considerations in the thinner mixed, such as the compatibility with the paint, the drying time, the character of the paint, and also the economical reason. 

• Drying time controller  

In the painting process, drying time is an important factor. In some conditions, butyl aceteat is used as a paint reaterder to make the paint flow better at the last coat application. With its moderate evaporation rate, butyl acetate provides sufficient working time for paint application. At the top coat application, he helps to make good flow for the final coat, ensuring a smooth, blemish-free finish. For the sealer and base coat application, which need faster drying, then the butyl acetate can be mixed with other fast drying solvents to control the drying time to get the good film layer.

• Improves adhesion of the film layer

With its good dissolving ability, butyl acetate helps create a good mix between layers of paint. It also works to evenly dissolve pigments and resins. These two things will increase the strength and adhesion of the resulting finishing layer. 

The consideration in the uses of Butyl acetate

• Test and check the result 

Even though butyl acetate is a solvent with many advantages, this does not mean that this solvent can be used for all kinds of materials. Each finishing material is a unique mixture and requires the right thinner to get maximum benefits. Therefore, if you want to use this solvent, make sure that the butyl acetate can work well with the material you are mixing. Mix the materials on a small scale and test the application before mixing large volumes of material. 

• Consider the safety 

Butyl acetate is a hazardous material; it is a flammable material and harmful to the health. This material must be handled carefully. Fire and ignition sources must be kept away from this material If it is inhaled into the human breath, it will cause health problems. The room where this solvent is stored must be equipped with good air circulation. A fire extinguisher is standard equipment that must be present in the storage and mixing room. Make sure you follow the standard procedure when dealing with this material.