Petroleum xylene is a mixture of three isomers of xylene and ethylbenzene, produced in the process of aromatization of petroleum fractions and intended for separation of xylene isomers and use as a solvent for varnishes and paints. There are three isomers: ortho-, meta- and para-xylene. They are used as solvents for varnishes, fallas, mastics, etc. They are used in synthesis of dyes. Para-xylene is used as a feedstock for synthesis of terephthalic acid, a intermediate for production of polyethylene terephthalate.
Ortho-xylene is used in production of dioctylphthalates and other phthalic acid esters – plasticizers for PVC.
| Name of the indicator | Norm for the brand |
|---|
| Varieties | AOKP 24 1451 0110 | BOKP 24 1451 0140 |
| Appearance and color | Clear liquid, free of impurities and water, not darker than the solution 0.003 g K₂Cr₂O₇ in 1 dm³ of water | Same |
| Density at 20°C, g/cm³ | 0.862-0.868 | 0.860-0.870 |
| Distillation limits, °C |
| – distillation start temperature, not lower | 137.5 | 137.0 |
| – 98% of the volume is distilled at a temperature not higher | 141.2 | 143.0 |
| – 95% of the volume is distilled within the temperature, not higher | 3.0 | 4.5 |
| Mass fraction of the main substance (aromatic hydrocarbons C8 H10), %, not less than | 99.6 | Not defined |
| Coloration of sulfuric acid, model scale number, not more than | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptan content | Absence | Same |
| Water extraction reaction | Neutral | Same |
| Vaporability | Evaporates without residue | Same |
| Flash point, °C, not lower | 23 | 23 |
