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Butyl Glycol (2-Butoxyethanol) Storage — Glycol Ether Tank Selection

Storing Butyl Glycol? Start Here

Butyl Glycol is a versatile liquid used in industrial cleaning, paints, and coatings. It's known for its ability to mix with both water and oil, making it an essential ingredient in many formulations. If you're planning to store it, you'll want to know the best materials for your tank to ensure safety and compatibility.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, butyl glycol is generally compatible with most plastics, including HDPE and polypropylene. For bulk storage, HDPE tanks with polypropylene fittings and EPDM gaskets are a cost-effective choice. However, always verify compatibility with your specific tank materials.

Key Issue: Temperature Sensitivity

While butyl glycol is stable under normal conditions, it has a relatively low flash point of 67°C (152°F). Ensure your storage area is well-ventilated and away from heat sources to prevent any risk of combustion.

The safety that actually matters

  • Use in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhalation risks.
  • Wear protective gear to prevent skin and eye irritation.
  • Store away from heat and open flames due to its combustibility.

Common questions

Is butyl glycol safe to store near food products?
No, it should be stored separately due to its chemical nature and potential health risks.
What should I do in case of a spill?
Contain the spill immediately, ventilate the area, and clean up using appropriate protective equipment.
Can I use any gasket material with butyl glycol?
EPDM gaskets are preferred for cost-effectiveness, but always match gaskets to the manufacturer's compatibility chart.

Butyl Glycol (2-Butoxyethanol) storage tanks from OneSource

For butyl glycol (2-butoxyethanol) storage, specify HDLPE_OR_XLPE rated to specific gravity 1.9. Verified, compatibility-matched options:

Confirm chemical compatibility and a ZIP freight quote with our team at 866-418-1777.

Flammable solvent? Think recovery, containment, and grounding.

Flammable and volatile solvents add recovery, vapor, and ignition-control questions on top of material choice. Guides from our fabrication team:

Explore: Solvent Recovery  ·  Double Wall Tanks  ·  Chemical Compatibility

Sources & References

All compatibility ratings, hazard classifications, and chemical identifiers on this page are sourced from authoritative third-party publications. Verify against the original references before final specification.

  1. PubChem Compound Database — entry for Butyl Glycol (CID 8133, CAS 111-76-2). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Library of Medicine / NCBI. Canonical chemical-identity reference.
  2. Snyder Industries Chemical Resistance Recommendations — system-of-construction guidance for polyethylene chemical-storage tanks at industrial ASTM 1.9 SG design rating. SNY-3041 Chemical Resistance Chart. Snyder Industries, current edition. Resin + fitting + gasket + bolt MOC matrix.
  3. Equistar Technical Tip — Chemical Resistance of Polyethylene — LDPE / MDPE / HDPE rating chart by concentration and temperature, distributed by Enduraplas. enduraplas.com (PDF). Equistar polyethylene resin chemical-resistance data, distributed via Enduraplas.
  4. NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. nfpa.org. NFPA 704 'fire diamond' health/flammability/instability/special-hazard rating system (0–4 scale).
  5. UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), current revision. unece.org/transport/ghs. GHS pictograms, signal words, and H-statement codes referenced in this guide.
  6. ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks, current edition. astm.org. Cited as the design-specific-gravity standard (typically 1.9 SG) for industrial chemical-service polyethylene tanks.
  7. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards — occupational exposure limits, PPE, and IDLH data for Butyl Glycol. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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