Diethylene glycol
Description
Diethylene glycol (CAS 111-46-6), commonly sourced as DEG, is a hygroscopic diol used across industrial manufacturing as a solvent, plasticizer, and chemical intermediate.
Its moderate volatility and water miscibility make it a practical carrier and processing aid in formulations where slower evaporation is commercially advantageous for the manufacturer.
In polyester resin and polyurethane production, DEG functions as a monomer or co-monomer, directly influencing the flexibility and softness of the finished polymer during the synthesis process.
Natural gas processors use it as a dehydration agent to remove water vapor from gas streams before pipeline transmission. Textile and leather finishing operations apply DEG as a softening agent.
These applications improve the hand-feel and workability of treated materials. Printing ink and packaging adhesive formulators incorporate it as a solvent and humectant to control viscosity.
This prevents premature drying during processing. Diethylene glycol is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid in bulk quantities, including ISO tank, flexi-tank, and drum packaging options.
Technical grade is the standard commercial specification, meeting purity requirements suitable for industrial polymer, solvent, and gas processing applications across various global markets.
High-purity grades are available for specialty applications where tighter quality parameters are required by the end formulation to ensure consistent performance and chemical stability.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -6.5 °C |
| Boiling Point | 244-245 °C |
| Density | 1.18 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 143 °C |
| Appearance | clear oily liquid |
| Color | colorless |
| Odor | Practically odorless. |
| Form | Oily Liquid |
| Water Solubility | SOLUBLE |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.447(lit.) |
| pH | 5.5-7.0 (25℃, 50mg/mL in H2O) |
| Log P | -1.98 at 20℃ |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29094100 |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Documentation
Other Names
DEG|dihydroxy diethyl ether|diglycol|bis(beta-hydroxyethyl) ether|bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether|beta,beta'-dihydroxydiethyl ether|2,2'-oxybisethanol|2,2'-dihydroxydiethyl ether
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