What Is the K_b Value
of the Bromothane™ Solvents?

The Bromothane™ solvents have impressive technical specifications, and the K_b value is merely one of them. Bromothane™ S, which is the "eat" nPB with a stabilizer but no other additives, has a K_b value of 125. The other formulations are in the same general range.

And there's more to this story. This is a family of solvents that cleans great, works fast, uses little energy and helps protect the environment. For example, the low surface tension of these cleaners helps them clean in ultra-tight spaces and is one of the reasons these products are so much more effective than aqueous cleaning systems.

• The Kari-Butanol Test Measures Cleaning "Horsepower" •

But what is a K_b value, anyway?

Technically, solvency usually is measured by an industry benchmark called the Kari-Butanol test. In this lab test, a standardized test material -- a thick, rubbery, eraser-like gum -- is immersed in the solvent for a certain period of time and under certain prescribed conditions (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.). The lab technician then measures the remaining gum to determine the quantity of material that was dissolved by the solvent. The result of the test is an index called the Kari-Butanol value. This is usually reported on product spec sheets as a K_b value. Like bowling, higher is better. A high K_b value means the cleaner is more aggressive and active. Mild cleaners have low scores in the tens and twenties; powerful cleaners like the old chlorinated solvents have ratings in the low hundreds.

The Bromothane™ K_b values are very similar to the old solvents like methylene chloride, perc, TCA and trike.

• Kari-Butanol Tests Don't Measure Your Requirements" •

But a word of warning. K_b values don't tell the whole story. In the place of raw Kari-Butanol scores most engineers are substituting systematic testing procedures, rigorously testing solvents on their components, their contamination and their cleaning processes. This makes sense because it's a test of real-world conditions.

We've tested the cleaners and they work great. Give them a try. For precision cleaning applications in engineered systems, Bromothane™ solvents are a great choice.

Updated: Feb.23,  2004
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