Aliphatic hydrocarbons, also termed naphtha, gasoline, or paraffin hydrocarbons, are chemically very stable saturated organic molecules that are generally mixtures of straight chain (normal paraffin) and branched chain (isoparaffin) hydrocarbons, with a minute quantity of cycloparaffins. Very weak solvency, low odor, low specific gravity and low cost are some of the unique characteristics of aliphatic solvents. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are subdivided, according to their boiling point range, into special boiling point hydrocarbons (DIN 51 631), mineral spirits (DIN 51 632), and petroleum ether (DIN 51 630). Special boiling point hydrocarbons are used in quickdrying paints and dip coatings, and have a flash point less than 2 °C. Mineral spirits are the predominantly used aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent in the paint industry for such binders as drying oils and long oil alkyd resins. Varnish makers’ and painters’ naphtha (bp 100 to 150 °C) is used mainly as a diluent.
4.1.1.5 Cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons
Cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons are also referred as cycloparaffins or naphthenes. Most of their properties such as solvency, odor, and specific gravity are intermediate between those of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. The use of cycloaliphatic solvents is less common in paint and coatings than that of paraffin hydrocarbons.