Butyl Acetate (BA)

Butyl Acetate (BA) also known as n-Butyl Acetate or Butyl Ethanoate, is a neutral colorless liquid with a unique, sweet, fruity odor and tastes a little like banana. Butyl Acetate is an Ester that is flammable at room temperature.

BA has good solvent properties. Butyl Acetate has good volatility and high ability to be diluted which makes it one of the most important medium-volatility solvents.

Butyl Acetate has a Flash point of 72 - 88°F. BA has a low Density than water, hence floats on water and its vapors are heavier than air. Butyl Acetate is highly miscible with all common organic solvents (Alcohols, Ketones, Glycols, Esters) but has only slight miscibility in water.

BA is the Acetate Ester of Butanol. Butyl Acetate has a role as a metabolite. Butyl Acetate derives from a Butan-1-ol.

Applications:

Butyl Acetate is primarily used as a solvent in printing inks, adhesives, paints and coatings. BA is a good solvent with low volatility. The lacquer and enamel industries employ Butyl Acetate as a solvent for making Acrylic Polymers, Vinyl Resins, and Nitrocellulose. Other industries utilizing the Acetate as solvent include printing, photographic, adhesives, extraction, and pharmaceutical.

n-Butyl Acetate is found naturally in some fruits and plants. It is a component of tobacco and tobacco smoke. Butyl Acetate is a flavoring ingredient used in apple flavor. BA is also used as a synthetic fruit flavoring in foods such as candy, ice cream, cheeses, and baked goods.

n-Butyl Acetate is an organic compound commonly used as a solvent in the production of lacquers, artificial leather, photographic films, plastics, nail care, Cosmetic/Personal care, and other products. Butyl Acetate is also approved for use in food packaging. BA is an ingredient in home repair products such as tile caulk.

Safety:

Butyl Acetate is a flammable liquid and vapor. BA vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Repeated exposure to Butyl Acetate may cause eye and nose irritation and severe throat irritation and also skin dryness or cracking.

Storage:

BA must be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated facility away from oxidizing agents.  Normal Butyl Acetate should be kept out of direct sunlight, heat, open flames, sparks and any sources of ignition. The storage temperature of Butyl Acetate must not exceed 40°C and moisture are excluded. Under these conditions, a storage stability of 12 months can be expected for BA.

Solvents such as normal Butyl Acetate should be stored in tightly closed, drummed containers such as ISO tanks made of stainless Steel, Aluminum or Carbon Steel.