Solvent blends and uses thereof

Abstract

A solvent blend may include an alkyl tert-butyl ether a C4-alcohol. In some embodiments, the alkyl tert-butyl ether may be ethyl tert-butyl ether. A composition may include the solvent blend and at least one resin.

Description

SOLVENT BLENDS AND METHODS THEREOFBACKGROUND

[0001] Solvents play an important role being used in many diverse applications such as paints and coatings, adhesives, inks, personal care and household products. They are also heavily used industrially as, for example, a reaction medium or as an extractant. To select the best solvent a range of technical properties are evaluated including solubility, evaporation rate, and viscosity. However, many technically-suitable solvents are potentially hazardous, and the beneficial aspects of their use must be weighed against negatives that may include, for example, their toxicity, flammability and contribution to global warming.

[0002] Conventional solvents and solvent systems are typically derived from raw materials that are not renewable, for example, from petroleum, and may be classified as fossil-based solvents. A few examples of typical fossil-based solvents used in the industry are alkyl acetates such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate and butyl acetate, as well as isopropanol and acetone. There is an increasing concern that the use of petroleum as a basic raw material, particularly its extracting and processing, contributes to environmental degradation and it is associated to global warming, and air and water pollution. The overall environmental impact of petroleum extraction, processing, transportation and consumption highlights the need for sustainable alternatives to mitigate such detrimental effects.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to seek alternatives for these fossil-based solvents that incorporate renewable raw materials, therefore mitigating some of the negative repercussions of using fossil-based solvents. Such renewable alternatives must be able to replace fossil-based solvents obtaining similar final results, with the advantage of using solvents having renewable origin.SUMMARY

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to solvent blends comprising an alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol.

[0006] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to compositions that include at least one resin and a solvent blend comprising an alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol.

[0007] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of cleaning a surface of an article, the methods including contacting the surface of the article with a solvent blend that includes alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol, where the solvent blend is added in an amount effective to accomplish cleaning.

[0008] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of coating a surface of an article, the method included applying a composition onto the surface, where the composition includes at least one resin and a solvent blend that includes alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol.

[0009] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of thinning a first composition, the method including adding a solvent blend that includes an alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol, into the first composition.

[0010] In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of adhering two articles together, the method comprising applying a composition to at least one of two articles and bringing the two articles in contact with each other, thereby adhering the two articles, where the composition includes at least one resin and a solvent blend that includes alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol

[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Alkyl tert-butyl ethers, such as ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), are widely used as an octane booster in gasoline and as a solvent. ETBE is an attractive candidate as a renewable solvent as it may be produced by the reaction of sugarcane-sourced ethanol with isobutylene in a catalytic reaction. The use of renewably-sourced alcohol results in this process providing low carbon emissions (0.34 kg CO2 eq. / kg) and yields a final product that may contain a high percentage of biobased carbon.

[0013] Two important properties of a solvent are its solvency and evaporation. Though solvents may be used singly, a single solvent typically does not possess ideal values for both properties, necessitating the use of a solvent blend, mixture or system. Furthermore, the cost of a solvent is also extremely important, not only in terms of production but in storage and handling as well.

[0014] The solvent blends described herein are able to replace fossil-based solvents such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone, and isopropanol in various end-uses, obtaining similar final results with the advantage of using solvents having at least partial renewable origin. The ability of the solvent blends according to the present disclosure to replace solvents such as ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, acetone and isopropanol were evaluated by the properties of solvency and evaporation.SOLVENT BLENDS AND PROPERTIES THEREOF

[0015] Solvent blends in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more alkyl tert-butyl ethers. In one or more embodiments, the alkyl group of the alkyl tert-butyl ether may be a Ci-Cio linear or branched hydrocarbon group. In some embodiments, the alkyl group may be a C1-C4 linear or branched hydrocarbon group. The alkyl tert-butyl ether of particular embodiments may be methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether or mixtures thereof, more preferably ethyl tert-butyl ether.

[0016] In addition to the aforementioned alkyl tert-butyl ethers, solvent blends in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure include a C4-alcohol. C4- alcohols in the context of the present disclosure refer to molecules of the general formula R-OH, wherein R is a C4 linear or branched alkyl group optionally substituted with hydroxyl groups. In some embodiments, the C4-alcohol may be n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3 -butanediol or a combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the C4-alcohol is selected from butanol, isobutanol or a combination thereof. In a more particular embodiment, the C4-alcohol is isobutanol.

[0017] Solvent blends in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include any suitable amount of alkyl tert-butyl ether. In particular embodiments, the solvent blends according to the present disclosure contain a high content of alkyl tert-butyl ether, i.e., of at least 40 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether, based on the total weight of the solvent blend. The amount of alkyl tert-butyl ether may range from a lower limit selected from any one of 40 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 55 wt.%, 60 wt.%, 65 wt.% and 70 wt.% to an upper limit selected from any one of 95 wt.%, 90 wt.%, 85 wt.% and 80 wt.%, and 75 wt.%, where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit. In particular embodiments, the alkyl tert-butyl ether is present in the solvent blend in an amount ranging from 40 to 95 wt.%.

[0018] Solvent blends in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include any suitable amount of C4-alcohol. In particular embodiments, the solvent blends according to the present disclosure contain a content of C4-alcohol of at most 60 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight of the solvent blend. The amount of C4-alcohol ether may range from a lower limit selected from any one of 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 20 wt.% and 25 wt.%, 65 wt.% and 70 wt.% to an upper limit selected from any one of 60 wt.%, 55 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 35% wt.% and 30 wt.% where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit. In particular embodiments, the C4-alcohol is present in the solvent blend in an amount ranging from 5 to 40 wt.%.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises at least 40 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and at most 60 wt.% of C4-alcohol. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 40 wt.% to 95 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 5 wt.% to 60 wt.% of C4-alcohol. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 40 wt.% to 95 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 5 wt.% to 60 wt.% of C4-alcohol. Other combinations of upper and lower limits for the amount of alkyl tert-butyl ether and C4-alcohol are also possibles based on the upper and lower limits of each of these components described herein.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 80 wt.% to 90 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 10 wt.% to 20 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight of the solvent blend. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 67 wt.% to 77 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 33 wt.% to 23 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight of the solvent blend. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 49 wt.% to 59 wt.% of alkyl tertbutyl ether and from 41 wt.% to 51 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight ofthe solvent blend. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 85 wt.% to 95 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 5 wt.% to 15 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight of the solvent blend. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend comprises from 35 wt.% to 45 wt.% of alkyl tert-butyl ether and from 55 wt.% to 65 wt.% of C4-alcohol, based on the total weight of the solvent blend.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the amount of alkyl tert-butyl ether and C4- alcohol sum up to at least 98% wt., for example 99 wt.%, for example 99.5%, for example 99.9 wt%, or even 100 wt.% of the solvent blend. In one or more embodiments, the solvent blend is a binary mixture of alkyl tert-butyl ether and C4- alcohol, where impurities and / or minor amounts of byproducts, impurities or additives are not being considered.

[0022] The alkyl tert-butyl ethers of one or more embodiments may be synthesized from an alcohol that contains renewably-sourced carbon. Sources of the renewable carbon may include plant-based sources such as sugar cane and sugar beet, maple, date palm, sugar palm, sorghum, American agave, corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, rice, potato, cassava, sweet potato, algae, fruit, materials comprising cellulose, wine, materials comprising hemicelluloses, materials comprising lignin, wood, straw, sugarcane bagasse, sugarcane leaves, com stover, wood residues, paper, and combinations thereof.

[0023] The ethyl tert-butyl ether of one or more embodiments may be produced from biologically sourced ethanol obtained by the fermentation of sugars or hydrolyzed starch, derived from the renewable sources of carbon detailed above. It is also envisioned that the biobased ethanol may be obtained from hydrolysis based products from cellulose and hemi- cellulose, which can be found in many agricultural byproducts, such as straw and sugar cane husks. This fermentation is carried out in the presence of varied microorganisms, the most important of such being the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

[0024] The alkyl tert-butyl ether of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be synthesized by any suitable method known to one of skill in the art. In particular embodiments, alkyl tert-butyl ether is prepared by the reaction of a suitable alcohol with isobutylene. The isobutylene may be derived from crude oil or natural gas-sourced butane, or from a biobased process utilizing any of the above describedplant sources such as from use of sucrose as a feedstock in an Escherichia coli platform (available, for example, from Global Bioenergies) or from conversion of 3- hydroxyisovalerate to isobutene as a side activity of mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase or on isobutanol dehydration as a side activity of engineered oleate hydratase.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the alkyl tert-butyl ether of the solvent blends in accordance with the present disclosure may have a bio-based carbon content, as determined by ASTM D6866-18 Method B, of at least 5%, of at least 10%, of at least 20%, or of at least 30%, and up to 33%, 36% 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 99% or 100% by weight, based on the total weight of alkyl tert-butyl ether present in the solvent blend, where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, solvent blends in accordance with the present disclosure may have a bio-based carbon content, as determined by ASTM D6866-18 Method B, of at least 5%, of at least 10%, of at least 20%, or of at least 30%, and up to 33%, 36%, 50%, 75%, 90%, or 100%.

[0027] A technical parameter that can be very important for solvent selection is the evaporation rate. Evaporation rate is directly associated to drying time of coatings and adhesives and therefore to productivity. As is indicated in Table 1, alkyl tertbutyl ethers, such as ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), may have a high evaporation rate even relative to traditional solvents like acetone and methyl ethyl ketone.

[0028] Table 1 : Evaporation rates of different solvents

[0029] For the correct substitution of a fossil-based solvent, the evaporation rates of the solvent blend and the fossil-based solvent to be substituted must be substantially similar. For the purposes of the present disclosure, “substantially similar” means a variation of about 10% above or below or of 10% above or below the reference solvent evaporation rate.

[0030] The evaporation rate of the solvent blends of the present disclosure are not particularly limited as long as it is similar to the fossil-based solvent to be substituted. In one or more embodiments, solvent blends in accordance with the present disclosure may have an evaporation rate of at least 90, at least 100, at least 110, at least 120, at least 130, at least 140, at least 150, at least 160, at least 170, at least 180, at least 190, at least 200, relative to butyl acetate having an evaporation rate of 100. In one or more embodiments, solvent blends in accordance with the present disclosure may have an evaporation rate of 800 or less, 700 or less, 600 or less, 500 or less, 450 or less, relative to butyl acetate having an evaporation rate of 100, wherein any upper limit may be combined with any lower limit described therein. The evaporation rate may be measured by ASTM D 3539 Standard Test Methods for Evaporation Rates of Volatile Liquids by Shell Thin-Film Evaporometer - Method A or B. In particular embodiments, the solvent blend may have an evaporation rate ranging from 90 to 800, relative to butyl acetate having an evaporation rate of 100.

[0031] Solvent blends according to the present disclosure will generally possess physical properties suitable for the intended use of the solvent blend and / or the compositions produced therefrom. One of ordinary skill in the art will, with the benefit of this present disclosure, appreciate that altering the relative amounts and / or identities of the components of a solvent blend will influence the properties of the blend.

[0032] SOLVENT SYSTEMS

[0033] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to solvent systems comprising the solvent blend of the present disclosure. The term “solvent system” in the present context refers to a mixture of the solvent blend disclosed herein with one or more additional solvents or co-solvents. The solvent blend of the present disclosure is capable of substituting one or more petroleum-based solvents within a conventionalpetroleum-based solvent system. In some embodiments, the one or more solvents or co-solvents may be selected from any suitable solvent or co-solvent known to one of skill in the art, but in particular embodiments the one or more solvents or co-solvents may be selected from the group consisting of ethanol, hydrocarbon solvents and oxygenated solvents.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the solvent system of the present disclosure comprise the solvent blend disclosed herein and at least one selected from the group consisting of ethanol, a hydrocarbon solvent, and oxygenated solvent.

[0035] The hydrocarbon solvents of one or more embodiments are not particularly limited and may include any suitable hydrocarbon solvents, including aromatic and aliphatic species. The aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents of one or more embodiments may be saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or cyclic. In one or more embodiments, the aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent may be a Ce-Cio hydrocarbon solvent. In particular embodiments, the aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent may be a Ce- Cs hydrocarbon solvent. The aromatic hydrocarbon solvents of one or more embodiments may be monocyclic and may be substituted or unsubstituted. The solvent systems of some embodiments may particularly include alkylbenzenes. In particular embodiments, the solvent system may include one or more of toluene, xylene, and other alkylbenzenes such as mesitylene, ethylbenzene, di ethylbenzene, tri ethylbenzene, cumene, cymene, and the like.

[0036] The oxygenated solvents of one or more embodiments are not particularly limited and may include any suitable oxygen-containing solvent such as ketones, esters, glycols ethers, and alcohols (except C4-alcohols), among others. In particular, solvent systems of some embodiments may include ethanol.

[0037] Solvent systems in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include any suitable amount of the solvent blend. The amount of solvent blend may range from a lower limit selected from any one of 10 wt%, 11 wt%, 12 wt%, 15 wt%, 18 wt%, 19 wt.%, 20 wt%, based on the total weight of the solvent system, to an upper limit selected from any one of 55 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 65 wt. %, 70 wt. %, 75 wt. %, 80 wt. %, where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit. In particular embodiments, the solvent blend is present in the solvent system in an amount ranging from 10 to 80 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solvent system.

[0038] COMPOSITIONS

[0039] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to compositions that include a solvent blend according to the present disclosure and at least one solute. In particular embodiments, the solute is fully dissolved in the solvent blend.

[0040] The solute of one or more embodiments is not particularly limited. In some embodiments, the solute may be one or more of a resin or polymer. In more particular embodiments, the resins may be selected from acrylic resins, nitrocellulose resins, polyester resins, polyol polyester resins, epoxy resins, alkyd resins, melamine resins, maleic resins, phenolic resins, isocyanate-based resins, polyurethane-based resins, fumaric resins, polyamide, polychloroprene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, styrene butadiene styrene, styrene butadiene, styrene isoprene styrene and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the composition of the present disclosure comprises from 5 to 50% by weight of solute. The amount of solute may range from a lower limit selected from any one of 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, 20 wt.%, 25 wt.%, 30 wt.%, 35 wt.% to an upper limit selected from any one of 35 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 45 wt.% or 50 wt.% where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit, when feasible.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the composition of the present disclosure comprises from 50% to 95% by weight of solvent blend or of the solvent system, based on the total weight of the composition. The amount of solvent blend or solvent system may range from a lower limit selected from any one of 50 wt.%, 55 wt.%, 60 wt.%, 65 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition, to an upper limit selected from any one of 65 wt.%, 70 wt.%, 75 wt.%, 80 wt.%, 85 wt.%, 90 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition, where any lower limit may be paired with any upper limit, when feasible.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the composition of the present disclosure comprises from 5% to 50% by weight of solute and from 50% to 95% by weight of solvent blend or solvent system, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0044] The selection of a solvent, solvent blend or solvent system is initially determined by whether a certain solute will dissolve in said solvent, blend or system.To determine the potential solubility of a material, the Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) of the solvent and solute may be referenced. Each of the solvent and solute may be described by 3 parameters: 5D - the energy of the dispersion forces between molecules, 5p - the energy of the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules, and 5H - the energy of the hydrogen bonds between molecules.

[0045] Using HSPs, the chemical affinity of the solvent can be evaluated for different resins. The closer the solvent’ s HSPs are to the resin’ s, the more likely it is to dissolve it. HSP theory describes that, to determine if the solvent can effectively dissolve a resin, the relative energy difference (RED) can be calculated: if RED < 1 the blend system will dissolve, if RED = 1 the blend or system will partially dissolve, and if RED > 1 the blend or system will not dissolve. Table 5 is a comparison between the HSPs of an alkyl tert-butyl ether (specifically, ETBE) and other usual fossil-based solvents. It can be observed that the parameters are similar to both families of solvents.

[0046] Table 5: HSPs for different solvents

[0047] In one or more embodiments, compositions in accordance with the present disclosure may have a relative energy difference between a solvent blend or system and solute of less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, or less than 0.8.

[0048] Compositions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention may include one or more additives. The selection of the one or more additives is not particularly limited, and will be highly dependent upon the intended application of the composition. In particular embodiments, the at least one additive may be selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, carriers, fillers, and dullness agents. The composition of one or more embodiments may be, for example,a paint composition, a varnish composition, a lacquer composition, an adhesive composition, or a finish composition.

[0049] METHODS

[0050] The aforementioned solvent blends, solvent systems and compositions may be used in a wide array of methods. The uses of solvent blends, solvent systems and compositions in accordance with the present disclosure are not limited to the methods described herein. The solvent blends and systems of one or more embodiments may be used in cleaning compositions, printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, lacquers, or thinners.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, solvent blends and systems in accordance with the present disclosure may be used in a method of cleaning a surface of an article. In some embodiments, the method may include contacting the surface of the article with the solvent blend or solvent system. The amount of solvent blend or solvent system used is not particularly limited but will generally be an amount effective to accomplish cleaning. The cleaning may generate a composition that includes the solvent blend or solvent system and the components that were removed from the surface of the article.

[0052] Further methods that are in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may include applying any of the aforementioned compositions to a surface of an article, the composition coating the surface thereof.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, solvent blends or systems in accordance with the present disclosure may be used in a method of thinning a first composition, the method including adding any of the aforementioned solvent blends or systems to the first composition. The identity of the first composition is not particularly limited, but may be a one or more of an alkyl resin, a nitrocellulose resin, or a polyurethane.

[0054] Methods in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may involve using the aforementioned compositions to adhere the surfaces of two articles together. In some embodiments, the methods may include applying the composition to the surface of at least one of the two articles and bringing the two articles into contact with each other. In such adhesive applications, it is envisioned that the solvent blend or system may be designed to have a lower evaporation rate, depending on the type of adhesive, for example, and the desired adhesive strength.That is, in some instances, a lower evaporation rate may be desirable to allow the polymer chains to better intermingle (and adhere together) prior to the evaporation of the solvent blend or system. Particular types of adhesive resins that are envisioned as being used with the solvent blend or system of the present disclosure include polyurethane-based resins, polychloroprene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

[0055] EXAMPLES

[0056] Examples 1-5 relate solvent blends containing ETBE and C4-alcohol. The blends proposed in the examples were applied in place of known fossil-based solvents such as alkyl acetates (e.g, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate), isopropanol and acetone in various end-applications such as automotive and industrial refinish, printing ink, adhesives, industrial paints.

[0057] Nitrocellulose 1 / 2' is a resin applicable, for example, to automotive and industrial refinish, and printing ink. Polyester Ik is a resin applicable, for example, to automotive and industrial refinish, and industrial paint. Alkydal F41 is an alkyd resin applicable, for example, to automotive and industrial refinish, and industrial paint. Polyurethane (PU) resins are applicable, for example, to printing inks. Fumaric resins are applicable, for example, to printing inks. Versamid 750 is a polyamide resin useful, for example, in printing ink applications. Desmocoll 540 / 4 is a polyurethane resin useful, for example, in adhesive applications. PVC resins are useful, for example, in adhesive applications. BAYPREN ALX 243-2 is a polychloroprene resin (PCR) useful, for example, in adhesive applications. Elvax 250 is an EVA resin useful, for example, in adhesive applications. Monocomponent polyester is useful, for example, for automotive and industrial refinish. Hydroxylated polyester is a resin applicable, for example, to automotive and industrial refinish.

[0058] The results below were obtained using the software HSPiP, where ETBE was simulated in place of fossil-based solvents in combination with other solvents and resins commonly used in the listed end applications. The fossil-based solvents were substituted with ETBE in the same amounts and the properties were compared. The HSPs of the solvents and resins (solute) were calculated as well as their RED when combined. The calculations were applied for a mixture of 10% wt. of resin and 90% wt. of solvent blend or system. The Evaporation rate (T.E.R) of each compositionwas also calculated and compared. The results show that the blends according to the present disclosure, due to property similarity, are capable of substituting usual fossilbased solvents when applied in the same amounts, therefore being a renewable-based ready-to-use option to be used in place of fossil-based solvents such as alkyl acetates (e.g, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate), isopropanol and acetone.

[0059] Table 6: Solvent blends containing ETBE and C4-alcohol'Weight % to volume % conversion was made considering the density of 736 kg / m3for ETBE and 802 kg / m3for Isobutanol

[0060] Example 1.1 - Ethyl acetate substitution using solvent blend 1

[0061] Example 1.2 - Propyl acetate substitution using solvent blend 2

[0062] Example 1.3 - Isopropanol substitution using solvent blend 3

[0063] Example 1.4 - Acetone substitution using solvent blend 4

[0064] Example 1.5 - Butyl acetate substitution using solvent blend 5

[0065]

[0066] Example 2.1 - Ethyl acetate substitution for automotive and industrial refinish

[0067] Example 2.2 - Ethyl acetate substitution for printing ink

[0068] Example 2.3 - Ethyl acetate substitution for adhesives

[0069] Example 3.1 - Propyl acetate substitution for automotive and industrial refinish

[0070] Example 3.2 - Propyl acetate substitution for printing inks

[0071] Example 4.1 - Isopropanol substitution for industrial paints

[0072] Example 4.2 - Isopropanol substitution for printing inks

[0073] Example 5.1 - Acetone substitution for automotive and industrial refinish

[0074] Example 5.2 - Acetone substitution for printing inks

[0075] Example 5.3 - Acetone substitution for adhesives

[0076] Example 6.1 - Butyl acetate substitution for automotive and industrial refinish

[0077] Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helicalsurface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed:

1. A solvent blend, comprising an alkyl tert-butyl ether and a C4-alcohol.

2. The solvent blend of claim 1, wherein the alkyl tert-butyl ether is selected from methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether or mixtures thereof.

3. The solvent blend of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the alkyl tert-butyl ether is ethyl tert-butyl ether.

4. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the C4-alcohol is selected from butanol, isobutanol or a combination thereof.

5. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the C4-alcohol is isobutanol.

6. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the alkyl tert-butyl ether has a bio-based carbon content, as determined by ASTM D6866-18 Method B, of at least 5%.

7. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the alkyl tert-butyl ether is present in the solvent blend in an amount ranging from 40 to 95 wt.%.

8. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the C4-alcohol is present in the solvent blend in an amount ranging from 5 to 60 wt.%.

9. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the solvent blend has a density of less than 0.85 g / cm3, according to ASTM D4052.

10. The solvent blend of any one of the above claims, wherein the solvent blend has a tear evaporation rate of at least 90, relative to butyl acetate having an evaporation rate of 100, as determined by ASTM D 3539 - Method B.

11. A composition, comprising: at least one resin; and the solvent blend of any one of the above claims.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the resin and the solvent blend have a relative energy difference (RED) equal to or less than 1.0.

13. The composition of claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one resin is selected from acrylic resins, nitrocellulose resins, polyester resins, polyol polyester resins, epoxy resins, alkyd resins, melamine resins, maleic resins, phenolic resins, isocyanate-based resins, polyurethane-based resins, fumaric resins, polyamide, polychloroprene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, styrene butadiene styrene, styrene butadiene, styrene isoprene styrene, and ethylene vinyl acetate.

14. The composition of any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of pigments, dyes, carriers, fillers, and dullness agents.

15. The composition of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the composition is a paint composition, a primer composition, a varnish composition, a lacquer composition, an adhesive composition, or a finish composition.

16. A method of cleaning a surface of an article, comprising: contacting the surface of the article with the solvent blend of any one of claims 1 to 10 in an amount effective to accomplish cleaning.

17. A method of coating a surface of an article, comprising: applying the composition of any one of claims 11 to 15 onto the surface.

18. A method of thinning a first composition, comprising: adding the solvent blend of any one of claims 1 to 10 into the first composition.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first composition comprises one of an alkyd resin, a nitrocellulose resin, or a polyurethane.

20. A method of adhering two articles together, comprising: applying the composition of any one of claims 12 to 16 to at least one of the two articles; and bringing the two articles into contact with each other, thereby adhering the two articles together.

21. Use of the solvent blend according to any one of claims 1 to 10 in cleaning compositions, printing inks, varnishes, adhesives, lacquers, thinners or nail polish removers.