- Dry Cleaning Industry
- Main Solvent in Dry Cleaning: Perchloroethylene is the most commonly used solvent for dry cleaning clothes and textiles because of its ability to dissolve oils, fats, and greases while being gentle on fabrics. It efficiently removes tough stains without damaging fibers.
- High Cleaning Efficiency: PCE penetrates fibers and helps remove impurities that water-based cleaning methods cannot address, making it ideal for cleaning delicate fabrics like wool, silk, and leather.
- Metal Degreasing and Cleaning
- Industrial Degreaser: PCE is widely used in metal degreasing operations, especially in automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries. It effectively removes oils, grease, wax, and other contaminants from metal parts and machinery.
- Vapor Degreasing: PCE’s high boiling point makes it ideal for vapor degreasing, a process where metal components are cleaned in vaporized solvent to remove dirt and oils. It is used to clean engines, mechanical parts, and other precision components before further processing or assembly.
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Intermediate in Chemical Production: PCE serves as a chemical intermediate in the production of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants, used in air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Precursor to Other Chemicals: It is also used as a precursor in the synthesis of other important chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) and fluorinated compounds.
- Textile Industry
- Textile Finishing and Processing: PCE is used in the treatment and finishing of textiles to enhance their appearance, strength, and resistance to dirt. It helps in the removal of oils, lubricants, and other contaminants from fibers during production.
- Dyeing and Printing: It can also be used in certain dyeing and printing applications as a solvent.
- Aerospace and Automotive Industry
- Parts Cleaning: The aerospace and automotive industries use PCE for cleaning and degreasing engine parts, metal surfaces, and components during manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance processes.
- Precision Cleaning: Due to its efficiency in removing heavy contaminants without leaving residues, PCE is ideal for cleaning intricate components used in these high-precision sectors.
- Electronics Industry
- Cleaning of Electrical Components: PCE is used to clean electrical and electronic components, such as circuit boards, transformers, and insulators, as it efficiently removes oils, dust, and residues that could affect performance.
- Paint and Coating Removal
- Paint Stripping: PCE is sometimes used in paint removal formulations to strip coatings, varnishes, and paints from various surfaces, particularly in industrial equipment and machinery maintenance.
- Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industry
- Solvent in Manufacturing: In some pharmaceutical and cosmetic processes, PCE is used as a solvent for the production of specific chemicals, although its use has declined due to safety concerns.
- Rubber and Plastics Industry
- Rubber and Plastic Production: Perchloroethylene is employed in certain rubber and plastic manufacturing processes to help in the removal of oils and impurities, as well as in some solvent-based adhesives.
