How Does TamiSolve™ NxG Compare in Terms of Safety?

Some solvents listed in the previous section, such as NMP, have faced scrutiny from the United States EPA because of evidence labeling them as being acutely or chronically toxic and contaminants to water, soil, and the atmosphere. TamiSolve™ NxG is a safer alternative to solvents of concern because of the following reasons.
 

• Not classified as a cytotoxic, mutagenic, and reproductive (CMR) toxin
• No acute toxicity risks
• Is not labeled as hazardous to the environment

A full list of toxicological test results supporting the preceding points is presented below.

TamiSolve™ NxG Toxicological Evaluation Results

In 2024, the United States EPA proposed a new rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that aims to implement initiatives around eliminating or limiting the use of NMP in certain formulations. TamiSolve™ NxG offers an option for formulators that provides similar solvent performance without the risk of requiring reformulations as potential governmental regulations develop.

How does TamiSolve™ NxG Compare in Terms of Performance?

For solvents such as NMP, TamiSolve™ NxG can be considered a drop-in replacement in many applications without necessitating significant formulation changes or process conditions. In certain cases, it may even reduce the overall chemical use rate of NMP. Other polar aprotic solvents may also be wholly or partially replaced by TamiSolve™ NxG due to having similar solubility parameters. Click below to access a white paper including comparisons of TamiSolve™ NxG's solubility parameters to polar aprotic solvents of concern and starter formulations.

 

 

In many cases, TamiSolve™ NxG has been implemented as a replacement solvent in blends. Several physical properties of aprotic solvents are listed below for consideration.

1: Solvents listed have a neutral odor, except DMSO and DMF which have strong, distinct odors
2: DMSO and acetonitrile have stability issues at higher temperatures

What Applications is TamiSolve™ NxG used in?

Coatings, Inks, and Adhesives

As described previously, TamiSolve™ NxG has solubility parameters that are similar to other polar aprotic solvents. Thus, it provides good solubility for many polymers used in coating, ink, and adhesive formulations and is an ideal tail solvent in these formulations. Below, a list of polymers that are soluble in TamiSolve™ NxG is presented.

 

• Acrylics
• Polystyrene
• Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)
• Polyvinyl chloride
• Polycarbonate
• Polyester
• Polysulfone
• Polyethersulfone
• Polyimide
• PVB
• Cellulose esters
• Polyurethane
• Polyurethane dispersions (PUDs)

As TamiSolve™ NxG is a good solvent for polyurethane dispersion reactants, it may be used to replace NMP as a co-solvent and coalescent. As a coalescent, data suggests that overall solvent usage may be reduced using TamiSolve™ NxG compared to NMP, thereby potentially lowering VOC levels. It also may reduce dry-to-touch time. Furthermore, TamiSolve™ NxG is also free of isocyanate-reactive contaminants.

Industrial Cleaners and Paint and Adhesive Removers

Also owing to its solubility parameters, TamiSolve™ NxG is an effective replacement for solvents such as NMP for cleaning or removing surfaces and equipment contaminated with hard-to-remove substances. For example, TamiSolve™ NxG is effective in industrial cleaners meant for polyurethane, epoxy, and polyester molds, reactors, and engines. This is also applicable for paint strippers and adhesives, which aim to dissolve materials made from some of the polymers listed in the previous section. Below, several studies were made using TamiSolve™ NxG to show its comparative effectiveness in cleaning PU residues, paint, and adhesives.

Below, black paint was applied to a steel substrate and allowed to dry overnight. Both NMP and TamiSolve™ NxG were applied to these substrates for 15 minutes then wiped with a cloth.

Below, a polyurethane-based adhesive was applied to glass and wood substrates and cured. Both NMP and TamiSolve™ NxG were applied to these substrates for 15 minutes, then the adhesive was separated from the substrates.

Summary

TamiSolve™ NxG is a polar aprotic solvent that is an ideal replacement for several solvents of concern, such as NMP. It is not classified as a carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxin, does not cause acute toxicity, is biodegradable, and not labeled as a hazard for the environment. TamiSolve™ NxG provides good dissolution in industrial cleaning and paint remover formulations due to solubility parameters that are comparable to solvents of concern currently used in these applications. TamiSolve™ NxG is also ideal for PUD synthesis and in systems containing PUD to be used as a co-solvent or coalescent. 

ChemPoint and Eastman offer formulation assistance and samples to help formulators get ahead of a changing regulatory landscape. As mentioned above, click here to access a white paper containing more information about TamiSolve™ NxG, including starting formulations. To speak with a technical representative and request a sample, click below.