Description

Clear colourless, sweet smelling, aromatic hydrocarbon. Xylene is a mixture of three Xylene isomers (metaxylene, orthoxylene and paraxylene) and ethyl benzene. Typically metaxylene is a predominant isomer. Xylene is miscible with vegetable oils, alcohols, ether and most organic solvents but not water.
Due to its pure, aromatic nature it is an excellent solvent for many synthetic and natural resins, fats and waxes.

Xylene Common Uses

  • Paint and Resin Manufacture: Xylene is mainly used in making surface coatings where a slower evaporation rate than Toluol and comparable solvency power are important features.
  • It is used in the formulation of automotive enamels and lacquers, baking enamels, furniture lacquers, marine paints and other protective coatings.
  • Xylene is used in making alkyd resins.
  • Insecticides and Pesticides: Carrier in making many chemical insecticides.
  • Printing Inks: The high solvency properties of Xylene make it suitable for use in printing inks.
  • Adhesives: Used in formulating adhesives such as rubber cements.

Miscellaneous

  • Xylene is sometimes referred to as Xylol.
  • Xylene is component of petrol along with other BTEX Compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene and Xylene)

Note we are also bulk Xylene suppliers in New Zealand.
Industrial customers who buy Xylene are advised to download and read the Material Safety Data Sheet below.