Dimethyl Esters – Versatile Alternative Solvents

Supplying dimethyl esters for over 20 years.

J R Hess Co. offers Dibasic Esters in standard and customized ratios for customers in a wide range of industries.

Sta-Sol® Dimethyl Esters
Dimethyl Esters available in standard ratios, purified grades and custom blends.

Basic Information About Dimethyl Esters

Dimethyl Esters (also known as Dibasic Esters, DBE, and DMEs*) are readily biodegradable, low odor, low VOC solvents used in a wide variety of industrial and specialty applications.

View Our Data Sheet: Chemical and Physical Properties

Consisting of both purified and mixed grades of adipic, glutaric and succinic esters, dimethyl and dibasic esters are clear, colorless, low odor liquids.

These solvents offer a unique combination of high solvency power, low volatility, low cost and high flash point.

Although DMEs are only slightly water soluble, they can be incorporated in to water based systems with the use of surfactants.

DME Summary

Dibasic esters are excellent solvent substitutes in many parts cleaning and stripping applications.

Commercial acceptance and use of dimethyl esters and dibasic esters continues to increase due to their positive economic, environmental and performance characteristics.

Dimethyl esters and dibasic esters can be used alone or in customized ester and co-solvent blends to replace more conventional and increasingly regulated materials and industrial solvents, including, but not limited to:

  • N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)
  • MEK
  • methylene chloride
  • isophorone
  • certain glycol ethers and their acetates
  • acetone
  • cresylic acid

Ordering & Shipping:

DME blends are available in drums, totes and bulk quantities.

They are not classified as hazardous by DOT.

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Low Vapor Pressure and Low VOC Solvent Alternatives

Dibasic Ester Molecules
Because of their low vapor pressure, dibasic esters will evaporate very slowly and can be recycled for repeated application.

The low vapor pressure also allows formulators and end-users to remain compliant with applicable VOC regulations.

For instance, certain DME blends under the Sta-Sol® ESS label qualify for LVP-VOC consumer product exemptions due to a vapor pressure of less than .1 mm Hg @ 20 °C.

Learn About Sta-Sol Solvent Systems for Performance and Compliance

A Wide Range of Recognized Uses & Applications

A dibasic ester based formulation can be the perfect alternative for dissolving polar substances such as polyurethane, polyester, and acrylate resins, plus a wide range of coatings and inks.

Sta-Sol® dibasic ester technology is used in a wide variety of applications, including:

  • Coil and Can Coatings
  • Polyester and Epoxy Sealing Coat
  • Automotive Coatings
  • Industrial Paint
  • Wire Enamel Coatings
  • Formulations
  • HI&I Cleaning
  • Liquid detergents
  • Pesticides and insecticides
  • Textile lubricants
  • Corrosion inhibitors
  • Printing inks
  • Foundry Core Resin Binder
  • Soil Stabilization
  • Wet Strength Paper Resins

Depending on the application, the combination of dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate and dimethyl succinate can be custom tailored as a slowly evaporating cleaning and stripping solvent.

Learn more about DME applications and example usage.

Preferable Environmental, Health and Safety Profile

A dibasic ester based solvent blend may be considered a “greener” or environmentally preferable and safer product due to several safety and regulatory attributes, including: Environmental

Health

  • Not considered a carcinogen or reproductive toxin
  • Low levels of toxicity
  • Low Odor
  • Main components not subject to Proposition 65
  • Included on EPA list of safer chemicals for use in Safer Choice formulations

Safety

  • Non Flammable
  • Non Corrosive
  • Non Hazardous DOT
  • High Flash Point
  • High Boiling Point
  • Slowly Evaporating Solvents

Storage & Handling

Sta-Sol® ESS products are stable when stored under normal conditions of heat and humidity and may be stored/used with mild steel containers and equipment.

These materials are non-corrosive and not classified as hazardous materials by DOT. They are not flammable nor combustible under OSHA regulations.

Your Supply Partner

We provide DMEs in standard and customized ratios for customers in a wide range of industries under our Sta-Sol® line of performance solvent blends.

These straight materials and customized solvent blends are used by formulators seeking raw material alternatives in the development of safer and more compliant products.

Sta-Sol solvent systems are also used straight as solvent replacements for many resin removal, general cleaning and stripping applications, and coating formulations.

* The descriptions “dimethyl esters” (DME) and “dibasic esters” (DBE) are used interchangeably. Both refer to mixtures of dimethyl adipate (CAS No. 627-93-0), dimethyl glutarate (CAS No. 1119-40-0), and dimethyl succinate (CAS No. 106-65-0).

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