The choice of solvent in inks, paints and related product categories is an important consideration. Isoparaffins, such as Shell GTL, are far purer than traditional mineral oil. They offer some unique benefits that consumers appreciate:
- Superior performance
- Safe use
- Minimal environmental impact
Though it isn’t the only factor, highly pure, stable, synthetic isoparaffinic solvents contribute to all three of these factors.
General Benefits of Isoparaffins
These benefits come from a variety of chemical properties, such as purity, low viscosity, and low volatility.
Performance
Properties unique to isoparaffins such as purity, surface tension and low viscosity provide inks, paints and aerosol products with desireable characteristics, such as wetting and consistent odor or lack of odor.
Safety
The high purity of synthetic isoparaffinic solvents also translates into inert, low volatility products that are nontoxic and safe to handle without irritating skin or eyes.
Environment
Many consumers are concerned about the long-term environmental impact of products in these categories. They appreciate the use of quality isoparaffins such as Shell GTL because they are readily biodegradable.
As a manufacturer of related products, consider the following benefits of utilizing quality isoparaffinic solvents that are unique to your industry.
Inks
Ink is a complex liquid that contains a variety of substances to achieve the desired pigmentation, consistency, gloss, and other special characteristics unique to certain products.
Viscosity
In the publishing industry, the solvent carries the pigment and helps ink achieve the appropriate thickness for use in letterpresses and lithographic mechanical printing.
For pens, markers, toner and other consumer applications, your choice in solvent helps ensure consistently low viscosity for the ideal flow rate.
Purity
Mineral oil contaminants (MOSH/MOAH) are of great concern in the printing of food packaging. Pure isoparaffins contain no MOSH/MOAH.
Tattoo artists value high purity inks that use hypoallergenic solvents such as Shell GTL.
Environment
The low environmental impact may be of interest to ink consumers as well, especially in bulk corporate purchasing. Selecting a toner supplier that utilizes a readily biodegradable solvent like Shell GTL can be a feather in the cap of a company committed to minimal environmental impact.
Paints
Despite the popularity of latex (water-based) paints, many consumers prefer oil-based paint for its durability, long-lasting finish, and stain and rust resistance over time.
Viscosity
As with inks, viscosity is a key factor in the performance of oil-based paints. Low-viscosity isoparaffins are a great choice for superior spreading and wetting of surfaces. GTL solvents in alkyd oil paints have improved “wet-edge” time resulting in better leveling, wettability and brush-ability.
Odor
Many consumers dislike the overpowering odor common to oil-based paints. This can be greatly improved with the use of low-odor oils and solvents like Shell GTL.
Safety
Pure isoparaffins contribute to the safety of paint products as well, as they are very low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most are LVP-VOC exempt by the EPA for consumer products
Environment
In addition, Shell GTL has an especially low maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) value, meaning the risk of forming toxic ground-level ozone is nearly nil. That they are readily biodegradable guarantees that GTL solvents have a minimal environmental impact.
Aerosols and Air Fresheners
There is an obvious overlap between aerosols and paint manufacturing, as paint is the primary active ingredient of aerosol paint products. But isoparaffins have an additional role to play in aerosol manufacturing as a carrier agent that is ideal for many other applications.
Aerosols have three ingredients:
- Carrier – solvent/adjuvant
- Active Ingredient – paint, fragrance, insecticide, etc.
- Propellant – Dimethyl ether, CO2, etc.
No matter the quality of your active ingredient in whatever application – rust prevention sprays, insecticides, air fresheners, hairsprays, etc. – performance depends upon the quality of the solvent and propellant. Safety and low environmental impact are additional benefits.
Performance
As an isoparaffinic synthetic oil, Shell GTL makes an excellent solvent because:
- It is a highly stable carrier for the active ingredient, whether onto a surface or into the air.
- Low viscosity produces an ideal droplet size for distribution.
- Evaporation speed is optimal, which is especially important in spray paints.
- As a pure, contaminant-free substance, it leaves no residue on the surface.
Safety
Just as with other applications noted above, low VOC content translates into safer products that do not irritate skin and eyes. It also has low phytotoxicity properties, making it safe for use on plants (in insecticides) as well.
Environment
As a readily biodegradable synthetic, at least 60 percent of Shell GTL’s molecular structure breaks down fully within 28 days after disposal. This is not true of other isoparaffins. This environmental benefit is fairly unique, which is part of why Renkert Oil is proud to partner with Shell.
Explore Isoparaffins for Inks, Paints, and Aerosol Applications
As oil and solvent specialists, Renkert Oil recommends Shell GTL isoparaffins to many industries as a vastly superior alternative to traditional petroleum solvents.
Beyond the products discussed above, Shell GTL oils and solvents are also ideal in:
- bicycle lubes
- lighter fluids
- lamp/heating oils
- wood treatments
- cosmetics
- sealants
- shaving creams
- electrical insulation
- tar removers
- and many other applications
Whatever your industry, our consultants will help you select quality isoparaffins that offer greater purity, safety, high flash points, low pour points, a silky rather than oily texture, and a variety of other unique characteristics ideal for your product application.
Learn more about how isoparaffins can improve your product performance, make your products safer to use, and minimize their environmental impact. Contact Renkert Oil today.