A furniture restorer stripping layer after layer of old paint, a machine shop lifting cutting oil off parts in seconds, a pharmaceutical manufacturer isolating an active ingredient in pure form — the common thread across these very different jobs is methylene chloride (dichloromethane). Prized for its non-flammable nature and exceptional solvency, this chlorinated solvent is at the same time one of the chemicals that demands the most careful handling because of its volatility and health hazards. This guide covers the chemical identity of methylene chloride, its industrial uses by sector, the safety rules that govern it, and the packaging and documentation points that should never be overlooked when buying — all from a B2B supply perspective.
What Is Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)? Chemical Identity
Methylene chloride, systematically named dichloromethane (DCM), is a colorless, water-clear, highly volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, faintly sweet odor. With the molecular formula CH2Cl2, it is a chlorinated hydrocarbon formed when two of the hydrogen atoms in a methane molecule are replaced by chlorine. Although the trade name methylene chloride is the label most commonly used on the shop floor, technical documents and safety data sheets usually refer to the substance as dichloromethane.
Two properties set methylene chloride apart in the world of solvents: it is effectively non-flammable under normal conditions, yet it can still dissolve an unusually wide range of materials. In environments where easily ignitable organic solvents pose a fire risk, having these two qualities in a single product makes methylene chloride the preferred choice in many processes.
That same volatility, however, is a serious source of exposure when the product is handled carelessly. For that reason methylene chloride is a product whose technical advantages must always be weighed alongside its safety requirements.
Identity card and key data
| Property | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) |
| Synonyms | DCM, methylene dichloride, metilen klorür |
| CAS number | 75-09-2 |
| EC number | 200-838-9 |
| Molecular formula | CH2Cl2 |
| Molecular weight | 84.93 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless, clear, volatile liquid |
| Odor | Chloroform-like, faintly sweet |
| Boiling point | ~40 °C |
| Melting point | ~ -95 °C |
| Density (20 °C) | ~1.33 g/cm³ (heavier than water) |
| Vapor pressure (20 °C) | ~47 kPa (high) |
| Water solubility | ~13 g/L (partially soluble) |
| Flash point | None (effectively non-flammable) |
| ADR class | Class 6.1 (toxic), UN 1593 |
Two values in the table sum up the product's character on their own: with a boiling point of ~40 °C, methylene chloride evaporates rapidly even at room temperature, and its density of ~1.33 g/cm³ makes it noticeably heavier than water. That second property means that in spill and wastewater situations the substance sinks below the water layer, which directly shapes how cleanup and treatment must be approached.
What Makes Methylene Chloride Different From Other Solvents
The first question in choosing a solvent is usually "what will it dissolve, and how will it behave once the job is done?" Methylene chloride answers strongly on both counts.
Non-flammability: the difference that removes fire risk
Methylene chloride is one of the rare organic solvents that show no flash point under standard test methods. Where solvents such as acetone, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol or thinner fall into the highly flammable class, methylene chloride will not ignite under normal working conditions. This is a significant safety advantage in production environments where sparks, static electricity or hot surfaces are a concern — particularly on metal-working and electronics lines.
But "non-flammable" is not an absolute. At high temperature, in contact with open flame, or against hot surfaces such as those created by welding, methylene chloride decomposes thermally and can release toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and trace amounts of phosgene. Non-flammability therefore does not make it safe next to ignition sources; on the contrary, the thermal decomposition risk means it must be kept well away from hot work.
High solvency and rapid drying
Methylene chloride effectively dissolves oils, waxes, many resins, cellulose acetate, polyurethane, and epoxy and acrylic systems. It mixes with most organic solvents in all proportions while being only partly soluble in water. This broad solvency profile makes it unrivaled at removing multi-layer, cross-linked coatings; it can swell and lift hardened paint and varnish films that leave many other solvents ineffective.
The low boiling point brings the second big advantage: once the job is done, methylene chloride flashes off quickly and without residue. This saves considerable time in cleaning and degreasing applications where drying time is critical. That same speed becomes a disadvantage from a safety standpoint — vapor concentration in the workplace air can rise dangerously fast.
Compared against other solvent families, methylene chloride's position becomes clear:
| Solvent | Flammability | Boiling point | Key strength | Typical drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methylene chloride (DCM) | Effectively non-flammable | ~40 °C | Very high solvency, strips hardened coatings | Volatile, health hazard, regulatory limits |
| Acetone | Highly flammable | ~56 °C | Fast drying, mixes with water | Fire risk, weak on some resins |
| Ethyl acetate | Highly flammable | ~77 °C | Balanced solvency, pleasant odor | Fire risk, medium volatility |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Flammable | ~82 °C | Degreasing, disinfection | Weak on hardened paint |
As the comparison shows, the distinctive advantage of methylene chloride is that it combines non-flammability with high solvency in a single product. If you want to go deeper into solvent selection logic by sector, our guide on choosing the right solvent for paints and coatings offers a comparative framework.
Methylene Chloride Uses: Sector by Sector
The industrial value of methylene chloride comes from the fact that it is not tied to a single sector. The sections below summarize the application scenarios most often encountered in the field, together with the real process needs behind them.
Paint and varnish strippers
The classic and best-known use of methylene chloride is in paint stripper formulations. Its ability to swell and lift multi-layer paint, varnish, adhesive and powder-coating films from metal, wood and concrete surfaces without damaging the substrate made it the standard in this field for many years. In aerospace and automotive maintenance and repair, it is preferred for stripping coatings from parts with complex geometry, because in dip tanks it reaches every point of the surface.
In a typical stripper formulation, methylene chloride is used together with wax additives that slow evaporation, thickeners and activators. Because its vapor pressure is high, the covering wax layer keeps the solvent on the surface long enough to do its job before it escapes.
Important regulatory note: The sale and use of methylene chloride-based paint strippers for consumers and some professional uses is restricted or banned in many countries. Always confirm that your application complies with the current regulations in your country. This information is for general guidance only and is not a substitute for legal advice.
Degreasing metal and electronic parts
The non-flammability of methylene chloride makes it a safe candidate for metal degreasing and precision-part cleaning. Cutting-fluid residues, protective oils and grease from machining are quickly dissolved off metal surfaces; once the solvent has evaporated, it leaves no marks or residue behind. This matters in work that demands critical surface cleaning before plating, painting or assembly.
In the electronics sector, it is considered for removing flux and assembly residues from circuit boards where it is compatible with plastics and sensitive components. Its non-flammable character adds an extra layer of confidence in these environments, where spark risk is high.
Adhesives and polyurethane foam
Methylene chloride is used as a carrier solvent in various adhesive and glue systems, and as an auxiliary in the solvent welding of thermoplastics such as polycarbonate and acrylic. In polyurethane foam production it can serve as an auxiliary blowing agent; its low boiling point is functional in forming the cell structure of the foam.
Extraction in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries
In the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industries, methylene chloride is widely used as a reaction and extraction solvent. Its immiscibility with water, high density and broad solvency profile make it easy to achieve clean phase separation in liquid-liquid extraction. It is a preferred solvent for isolating and purifying active ingredients from the reaction medium. In the food industry it has historically been used in extraction processes such as decaffeination; such applications are subject to strict purity and residue limits.
Other applications
- In aerosol formulations as a non-flammable carrier/propellant auxiliary,
- In the film and photographic industry for processing cellulose acetate,
- In laboratory work as a chromatography and general solvent,
- In foam and mold cleaning as a fast-evaporating solvent.
This broad application range makes methylene chloride one of the most versatile products in the chlorinated-solvent category.
Safety and Health: The Rules for Working With Methylene Chloride
The technical advantages of methylene chloride only make sense together with the right safety measures. Read this section as a checklist to be evaluated before you buy the product.
Why does it demand this much care?
The main source of risk with methylene chloride is its high volatility. Because its boiling point is very close to room temperature, vapor concentration in the workplace air can quickly reach dangerous levels in open containers or under inadequate ventilation. Inhaled vapor affects the central nervous system and can cause headache, dizziness and fatigue, and loss of consciousness at high exposure.
Two points deserve particular attention:
- Conversion to carbon monoxide: As methylene chloride is metabolized in the body, it releases carbon monoxide (CO) and raises the carboxyhemoglobin level in the blood. This creates an indirect asphyxiation effect and carries additional risk for people with cardiovascular strain.
- Suspected carcinogen: Methylene chloride is classified as a possible/suspected carcinogen in international classifications. For this reason it is essential to keep exposure to the lowest level achievable.
Engineering controls, PPE and closed systems
The hierarchy for working safely with methylene chloride is clear; the priority is always preventing exposure at the source:
- Closed systems and local ventilation: Wherever possible, the process should be run in enclosed equipment; in open baths, effective local exhaust ventilation (LEV) should be used. Because methylene chloride vapor is heavier than air, it accumulates at floor level, and ventilation design must take this into account.
- Air monitoring: Vapor concentration in the work area should be measured regularly, and national occupational exposure limits (OEL) must be observed.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves (standard nitrile can become permeable quickly — check the material permeability chart), safety goggles/face shield, and, where needed, appropriate filtered or full-face respiratory protection must be used. Simple dust masks provide no protection against methylene chloride vapor.
- No hot work: Because of thermal decomposition, welding, open flame and hot-surface operations must be avoided in areas where methylene chloride is present.
Correct classification and labeling of the product, and reading the safety data sheet, are the foundation of safety. You can find a detailed explanation of how to interpret methylene chloride's hazard pictograms and H/P statements in our GHS/CLP labeling guide.
Storage and transport
Methylene chloride should be stored in cool, well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight and heat sources, in its tightly closed original packaging. Packaging integrity is critical to prevent vapor loss and exposure. In metal packaging, because trace acid that can form over time in the presence of moisture may cause corrosion, appropriate choice of packaging material and stabilizer content is important.
For transport, methylene chloride falls under ADR Class 6.1 (toxic), UN 1593 and must be shipped with the appropriate labeling, packaging and vehicles. For a practical framework on storage layout, segregation rules and ADR transport requirements, see our chemical storage and ADR transport guide.
Regulatory Framework: What You Should Know
Because of its health risks, methylene chloride is a substance subject to increasingly strict regulation worldwide. This section is for general information and does not constitute any company statement or legal advice; every business must confirm the current regulations for its own application from authoritative sources.
- Restriction in paint strippers: The European Union and some countries have restricted or banned the placing on the market of methylene chloride-based paint strippers for general consumers and certain professional uses. Industrial uses are generally tied to strict control conditions.
- Occupational exposure limits: Most countries have set binding occupational exposure limit values (OEL) for methylene chloride. It is the employer's responsibility to design the application in line with these limits.
- Residue limits: In pharmaceutical and food applications, strict limits apply to solvent residues that may remain in the product (for example, ICH Class 2 solvent residue limits in pharmaceuticals).
- Constant change: Legislation in this area is evolving rapidly; a use that is permitted in one period may be restricted in the next.
In short, methylene chloride is a product whose regulatory compliance, as much as its technical suitability, must be assessed in advance. Making sure your application fits the legal framework before supply protects both compliance and continuity of supply.
Packaging and Supply Forms
Because of its high density and volatility, methylene chloride is always delivered in closed, leak-tight packaging made of suitable material. Because it is denser than water, a drum of a given volume feels heavier than a comparable organic solvent; this must be taken into account in handling and logistics planning.
| Packaging | Approx. net quantity | Typical user profile |
|---|---|---|
| Steel drum (~200 L) | ~250-270 kg | Medium-sized workshops and manufacturers, periodic consumption |
| IBC tank (1000 L) | ~1,200-1,300 kg | Regular, high-consumption facilities |
| Bulk (tanker) | Per process volume | Continuous process consumption, formulation plants |
Practical tips for choosing packaging:
- For operations whose monthly consumption exceeds a few hundred kilograms, switching from drums to IBCs reduces both unit cost and the vapor exposure created during handling.
- Transfer operations should be carried out with closed transfer systems wherever possible, and local ventilation should be running during decanting and filling.
- Because of the high density of methylene chloride, storage racks and floor load capacity should be planned according to unit weight.
What to Watch for When Buying Methylene Chloride
In wholesale methylene chloride purchasing, the lowest price is often not the right decision. The factors that determine total cost of ownership and workplace safety are:
- Documentation package: Request a current SDS (MSDS) and COA with every batch. On the certificate of analysis, verify that purity, water content, acidity and stabilizer content match your specification.
- Purity and quality: Your application (industrial cleaning, formulation, pharmaceutical/extraction) determines the required grade of purity. In pharmaceutical and food-contact applications, quality that meets residue limits is essential.
- Packaging integrity and labeling: UN-approved, leak-tight packaging and a legible GHS label are the foundation of both safety and traceability.
- Regulatory compliance: It is important that your supplier can guide you correctly on uses subject to restriction.
- Delivery compliance: Make sure the shipment is carried out with vehicles and paperwork that meet ADR Class 6.1 requirements.
- Technical support: A contact you can consult on solvent selection, safe handling and packaging optimization pays off in both cost and risk terms over the long run.
Wholesale Methylene Chloride Supply From Yüksek Kimya
As a B2B chemical raw-material supplier based in Kestel, Bursa (Turkey), Yüksek Kimya ships methylene chloride from stock in the purity and packaging options that suit your needs — including to export customers. Our quality management system is backed by ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification, and our hygiene practices by the GHP certificate.
The ordering process is straightforward:
- Define your need: Specify the application (paint stripping, metal degreasing, extraction, formulation), monthly consumption and your preferred packaging.
- Request a quote: Fill in the form on our contact page or call directly (+90 224 326 27 50) for current price and stock information.
- Sample and documents: On request, a sample is provided, and an SDS and COA are shared with every shipment.
- Shipment: Delivery is planned with drum, IBC or tanker options on ADR-compliant vehicles.
You can review our range of methylene chloride and other chlorinated solvents in the Chlorinated Solvents category. For regular supply agreements, multi-product baskets and bulk deliveries, our sales team offers dedicated pricing — call today and have your quote prepared the same day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are methylene chloride and dichloromethane the same substance?
Yes, they are exactly the same chemical. Dichloromethane (DCM) is the systematic name, while methylene chloride is the trade name most widely used in industry. Both refer to the formula CH2Cl2 and CAS number 75-09-2; older sources also call it methylene dichloride.
Is methylene chloride flammable?
Methylene chloride has no flash point under normal test conditions and is effectively non-flammable, which sets it apart from easily ignitable solvents such as acetone or thinner. However, at high temperature or in contact with open flame it can decompose and release toxic gases such as hydrogen chloride and phosgene, so it must be kept away from ignition and hot-work sources.
What is methylene chloride used for?
Methylene chloride is used mainly in paint and varnish strippers, in degreasing metal and electronic parts, in adhesives and polyurethane foam production, and as an extraction solvent in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Its low boiling point and high solvency mean it flashes off quickly once the work is done.
In which packaging is methylene chloride supplied?
Because of its high density, methylene chloride is usually delivered in 250-270 kg steel drums, IBC tanks of roughly 1,200-1,300 kg, and full tankers for bulk shipment. Closed, leak-tight packaging is essential to prevent vapor loss and exposure; transport falls under ADR Class 6.1, UN 1593.