Paraxylene: A Guide to Its Definition, Uses, and Properties

Paraxylene is one of the crucial aromatic hydrocarbons for industrial processes, especially in plastic manufacturing. It can be a starter stock or intermediate for various chemicals, such as polyester and PET.

This article discusses paraxylene and its role in various industries. So, read the complete explanation below!

What Is Paraxylene?

Paraxylene is a building compound to produce dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and terephthalic acid (TPA). Those three become the feedstock for producing PET plastic, which is used to create plastic bottles.

Since paraxylene (C8H10) is a manufacturing feedstock, you may not find it directly in everyday items. Yet, if you work in the chemical industry, you might use this monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

Aside from becoming a PET plastic bottle material, paraxylene is also used to make food containers, polyester fibers, and industrial cloths. Interestingly, this compound is lightweight, affordable, and recyclable, allowing it to be one of the backbones of the global manufacturing sector.

Paraxylene has some characteristics: a boiling point of 138.35 degrees Celsius, a melting point of -13 degrees Celsius, a colorless appearance, a formula weight of 106.2 g/mol, floating on water (because it is not easily soluble), high volatility, and high flammability.

Paraxylene, or para-dimethyl benzene, is one of the xylene isomers with a symmetrical structure, making it possible to synthesize it on a large scale. Additionally, its straightforward molecular structure makes it simple to use in the production of household and industrial goods.

When paraxylene spoils on the land, parts of the compounds will evaporate, but most of them will penetrate the ground and solidify or blend with groundwater. When mixed with groundwater, paraxylene will form a thin layer on the surface because it is not easily soluble in water.

Uses of Paraxylene

Paraxylene is used as the feedstock for various industrial products. Here are some uses of paraxylene you must know:

1. Polyester Material

Paraxylene is often used to make purified terephthalic acid (PTA), which is a raw material for polyester fibers. These fibers can be found in clothing and home furnishings.

Polyester fibers made from PTA are spun into fabric for further textile processing, such as clothing or industrial fabrics. It is usually wrinkle-resistant, easy to dye, colorfast, and moisture-resistant. It is also quite affordable, yet still of good quality and strength.

In addition to clothing, polyester is also used to produce carpets and upholstery because it does not easily absorb stains, and its colors do not fade easily, making it more durable.

2. Plastic Bottle Material

Paraxylene is a building material for producing dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), purified terephthalic acid (PTA), and terephthalic acid (TPA), which are raw materials for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic.

PET is commonly used to make plastic bottles for beverages, such as bottled water and carbonated drinks. The advantages of PET are that it is strong, lightweight, and does not break easily when dropped.

Furthermore, carbonated drink bottles are usually made of PET because this material has strong carbon dioxide barrier properties. Consequently, the soda bubbles are kept intact.

3. Automotive Parts Material

Paraxylene is also used by the automotive industry to produce vehicle parts, especially those that are openly exposed to sunlight and temperature fluctuation. Parts made of paraxylene are tougher and resistant to several environmental factors.

4. Packaging Material

Along with plastic bottles, PET from paraxylene manufacturing is also utilized to produce food, beverage, drug, cosmetic, and cleaning product packaging.

This is because PET plastic is strong and resistant to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture. Moreover, PET is recyclable and more eco-friendly.

5. Solvents

Paraxylene’s role as a solvent is not as widespread as that of other aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene. However, it can be mixed with industrial solvents to dissolve dye and resin, thanks to its low reactivity and evaporation rate.

Entrust Your Industrial Chemical Needs to Us

Paraxylene is one of the aromatic hydrocarbons having an important role in industrial manufacturing, especially in plastic production.

Regarding plastic feedstocks, Chandra Asri Group, as #YourGrowthPartner, and Aster have the best solution!

Chandra Asri Group, as a leading chemical solution company in Southeast Asia, provides olefin, polyolefins, styrene monomer, butadiene, B1MTB, chlor-alkali, and ethylene dichloride for your manufacturing needs.

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