Detailed Product Description:

A colorless, low odor organic liquid.  Soluble in water, methanol and

ether.  Also known as mineral spirits or white spirits outside of the United

States, Stoddard solvent is a paraffin-derived clear liquid commonly used

in painting and decorating.  

Grade/Purity:

Because of interactions with pigments, artists require a higher grade of

mineral spirits than the typical industrial users, including the complete

absence of residual sulfur.  This particular grade is known as Type 3

(for minimum sulfur content), Low Flash Grade (Boiling Point between

130-144ºF) with a minimum purity of 97%.

Background:

In 1924, an Atlanta dry cleaner named W. J. Stoddard worked with

Lloyd E. Jackson of the Mellon Research Institute to develop specifications

for a less volatile dry cleaning solvent as an alternative to more volatile

petroleum solvents.  Dry cleaners began using it in 1928 and it was the

predominant dry cleaning solvent in the United States from the late 1920s

until the late 1950s when it was replaced with perchloroethylene.

Uses:

Artists use mineral spirits as an alternative to turpentine, one that is both

less flammable and less toxic.  For this purpose, this particular solvent is

further refined to remove sulfur and the more toxic aromatic compounds,

and is recommended for critical applications such as oil painting.

It is commonly used as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a

degreasing solvent and as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives,

lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt products.  It is the most widely used solvent

in the paint industry.  

In industry it is used for cleaning and degreasing machine tools and parts.  

It is especially effective in removing oils, greases, carbon, and other materials

from metals.  It may also be used in conjunction with cutting oil as a thread

cutting and reaming lubricant.

In screen printing (also referred to as silk-screening), mineral spirits are often

used to clean and unclog screens after printing with oil-based textile and plastisol

inks.

General Application Notes:

Four different types and three different grades of Stoddard Solvent exist.  

The type refers to the purification process used.  Type 0, is defined as

the distillation fraction with no further treatment to hydrodesulfurization

(removal of sulfur) alone (type 1), solvent extraction (type 2) or hydrogenation

(type 3).  Each type comprises three different grades: low flash grade, regular

grade, and high flash grade.  The grade is determined by the crude oil used as

the starting material and the conditions of distillation.

Precautions:

Flammable, moderate fire risk.  Toxic by ingestion, inhalation

and skin absorption.  It is mainly classed as an irritant.  It has a fairly

low acute toxicity by inhalation of the vapor, skin contact and ingestion.

However, acute exposure can lead to central nervous system depression

resulting in lack of coordination and slowed reactions.  Exposure to very

high concentrations in enclosed spaces can lead to general narcotic effects

(drowsiness, dizziness, nausea etc...) and can eventually lead to unconsciousness.

Prolonged or repeated skin exposure over a long period of time can result

in severe irritant dermatitis, also called contact dermatitis.  It is highly

recommended that skin exposure is kept to a minimum by use of gloves

and that hands are washed after coming into contact with it.  Occasional

exposure to skin is highly unlikely to cause any problems.

Owing to the volatility and low bioavailability of its constituents, white

spirit, though moderately toxic to aquatic organisms, is unlikely to present

significant hazards to the environment.  It should not however, be purposely

poured down the sink or freshwater drain if avoidable.  It should be disposed

of correctly wherever possible.

                Click here to download MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

Packaging:

Comes packed in 500ml amber glass bottle.