Light isoparaffinic · C7–C10 branched-alkane fluid · European procurement
Light isoparaffinic covers the C7–C10 branched-alkane range. Boiling 99–143°C, flash −8 to +6°C, aromatic content typically below 0.02 wt%. Evaporation is fast, residue is clean, odour is low. What separates light from medium and heavy isoparaffinic commercially is not chemistry, it is dangerous goods classification. Light sits in Flam. Liq. 2 under CLP, with UN 1262 or UN 3295 Class 3 Packing Group II transport. That compounds site handling obligations and logistics routing in a way the heavier clusters do not.
Isoparaffinic solvents split into three commercial clusters. Light is the DG-regulated fast-evap cluster. Medium (C10–C14) is Flam. Liq. 3 with lighter DG regime. Heavy (C12–C19) sits above the Flam. Liq. threshold and transports non-DG. The cluster is the first procurement decision, boiling range and solvency profile come after. Context lives in the isoparaffinic solvents hub.
Fast commercial starting point
What you typically want from a light isoparaffinic enquiry
A good first response should immediately tell you whether the requirement is workable for your volume and destination, and whether the cluster can be supplied under current market conditions.
At a glance
What light isoparaffinic is commercially
Light isoparaffinic is a dearomatised branched-alkane hydrocarbon fluid in the C7–C10 range. Branching gives cleaner evaporation residue, lower odour and different solvency profile than straight-chain alkanes (n-hexane, n-heptane). Aromatic content is reduced to <0.01–0.02 wt% by hydrogenation. Density runs 690–725 kg/m³.
Procurement position: light isoparaffinic is the DG-regulated fast-evap cluster. The combination of fast evaporation, clean residue and low odour makes it the preferred choice for aerosols, precision cleaning, electronics assembly, fast-set adhesives and cosmetic silicone delivery. The trade-off is the handling envelope: Flam. Liq. 2 classification, DG transport, site-bunding requirements. Many reformulation enquiries are specifically about moving applications out of light and into medium isoparaffinic when evaporation speed allows.
Selection framing
Four decision scenarios that drive most light isoparaffinic enquiries. The first two are where the cluster genuinely fits; the second two are where the medium or heavy cluster, or a different product family, typically produces a better outcome.
Fits · 01
Fast evaporation is non-negotiable
Aerosol formulations, fast-set adhesives, precision cleaning with short contact times, electronics assembly cleaning where surfaces must flash dry within seconds. The DG handling overhead is accepted because no slower cut replaces the evaporation profile.
Fits · 02
Cosmetic and specialty delivery systems
Silicone carrier fluids in cosmetic delivery, low-residue wipe solvents, volatile siloxane alternatives where odour and residue matter. Cosmetic-route documentation typically available through qualified suppliers. Light isoparaffinic is often the default cut.
Substitute · 03
Evaporation speed is less critical than handling envelope
Where the application tolerates moderate evaporation, moving to medium isoparaffinic (flash ~40–70°C, Flam. Liq. 3, PG III) is often the correct commercial decision. Site handling simplifies; bulk storage and transport costs fall materially.
Substitute · 04
n-Alkane profile is acceptable
Where the application does not require branched-alkane structure specifically, n-hexane or n-heptane may be technically adequate at a different price point. The trade-off is n-hexane's Reproductive Tox. 2 classification and REACH Annex XVII restrictions for certain uses.
Typical properties
The values below are indicative of the light isoparaffinic cluster (C7–C10) across European commercial supply. Individual grades within the cluster differ on boiling-range tightness and flash-point position. Final specification, SDS and CoA are issued directly by the relevant supplier at the point of offer.
| Property | Typical value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon range | C7–C10 | Branched-alkane (isoalkane) structure |
| Boiling range | ~99–143°C | Varies by specific grade within cluster |
| Flash point (closed cup) | −8 to +6°C | Below Flam. Liq. 2 boundary in all grades |
| Density at 15°C | ~690–725 kg/m³ | Lower than medium / heavy clusters |
| Aromatic content | <0.01–0.02 wt% | Hydrogenation-dearomatised |
| Evaporation rate (n-BuAc=100) | ~180–450 | Fast; varies with boiling position |
| CLP classification | Flam. Liq. 2 (H225) | Plus Asp. Tox. 1 (H304) and EUH066 |
| Transport classification | UN 1262 / UN 3295, Class 3, PG II | Full DG regime, ADR/RID/IMDG apply |
| REACH | Registered | Producer-specific registration references |
CLP and transport rows are highlighted because the DG classification is the defining commercial characteristic of the light cluster, it drives site handling, bulk storage requirements and logistics routing in a way that does not apply to medium or heavy isoparaffinic. The authoritative document for any specific delivery is the supplier's PDS/SDS/CoA.
Adjacent clusters
Where light is not the correct cluster, the adjacent isoparaffinic clusters (medium, heavy) are typically the first comparison. Where the branched-alkane structure is not formulation-critical, n-hexane and n-heptane are commercial alternatives with different classification profiles. The comparison below is procurement-level: not a technical substitution chart.
| Product | Carbon | Boiling | Flash | DG | Procurement axis vs light |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light isoparaffinic (reference) | C7–C10 | ~99–143°C | −8 to +6°C | UN 1262 / 3295 PG II | , |
| Medium isoparaffinic | C10–C14 | ~153–213°C | ~40–70°C | UN 3295 PG III | Slower evap, lighter DG regime, simpler handling |
| Heavy isoparaffinic | C12–C19 | ~182–308°C | ~68–127°C | Non-DG | Carrier fluid profile, no DG overhead |
| n-Hexane | C6 | ~68°C | ~−22°C | UN 1208 PG II | Straight-chain; Repr. Tox. 2; Annex XVII restrictions |
| n-Heptane | C7 | ~98°C | ~−4°C | UN 1206 PG II | Straight-chain; no reproductive toxicity classification |
The light → medium substitution is the most common procurement conversation in the isoparaffinic family. Where evaporation speed is the only reason light is specified, moving to medium often reduces handling cost more than the per-kg difference. Where branched-alkane structure matters specifically (residue, odour, cosmetic delivery), n-alkane alternatives are not equivalent.
Application context
Six application contexts where the light cluster is specified across European industrial supply. Each accepts the DG handling envelope because the evaporation speed, residue profile or branched-structure characteristic is formulation-critical.
Aerosol formulations
Propellant carrier, solvent phase
Carrier solvent in aerosol sprays requiring fast flash-off: technical cleaners, anti-corrosion sprays, specialty industrial aerosols. Light isoparaffinic's low odour and clean evaporation residue make it the default over n-alkane alternatives.
Precision cleaning
Electronics, optics, precision components
Surface cleaning of electronic assemblies, optical components, precision-engineered parts where residue on the substrate is unacceptable. Branched-alkane structure gives cleaner evaporation than straight-chain alternatives; DG handling is accepted at the workstation scale.
Fast-set adhesives
Contact adhesives, specialty bonding
Solvent carrier in contact adhesives and specialty bonding products where short open time and clean flash-off control final bond quality. Light cluster's evaporation profile is tuned to adhesive open-time requirements.
Cosmetic delivery
Silicone carrier, personal care
Carrier fluid for cosmetic silicone formulations, sunscreens, antiperspirant delivery systems. Cosmetic-route documentation required; route declared at enquiry. Low odour and clean evaporation are the formulation drivers.
Polymer processing
Specialty carrier, polymerisation diluent
Diluent and carrier in specialty polymer processing where the branched-alkane structure and volatility profile match reactor design. Industrial supply routes; typically contract rather than spot.
Specialty industrial
Laboratory, analytical, extraction
Analytical solvent in specialty laboratory use, selected extraction processes, and specialty industrial applications where the volatility and purity profile are fit-for-purpose. Smaller-volume but specification-sensitive.
Buying checklist
Pre-enquiry clarity on these six points shortens the quotation loop and produces more useful first commercial responses.
01
Is light actually the right cluster?Before confirming volume, sanity-check the application against medium isoparaffinic (flash ~40–70°C, lighter DG regime). If the evaporation speed is not genuinely formulation-critical, the medium cluster typically produces lower total handling cost.
02
Application and route.Aerosol, precision cleaning, fast-set adhesive, cosmetic carrier, polymer processing, specialty industrial. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical routes require explicit producer declaration, flag the route at enquiry, not after.
03
Flash-point position.Within the cluster, grades run from ~−8°C to +6°C flash. Site handling envelope may require specific positioning. The producer spec determines which grade within the cluster is routed.
04
DG transport readiness.UN 1262 / UN 3295 Class 3 PG II applies across the cluster. Delivery routing, ADR-compliant storage, and goods-receiving procedures should be in place before enquiry to avoid delivery-side delays.
05
Packaging, volume, destination.IBC (1000L), drum (200L) or bulk tanker; monthly or project volume; delivery country. Bulk tanker supply into a DG-regulated site is a different logistics conversation than drum delivery.
06
Documentation.SDS, TDS, CoA, REACH registration reference, low-aromatic declaration, cosmetic or pharmacopoeial declaration where applicable. Flag documentation package the internal supplier-approval process requires.
FAQ
Light isoparaffinic is a dearomatised branched-alkane hydrocarbon fluid in the C7–C10 range. Boiling point ~99–143°C depending on grade, flash point −8 to +6°C. Aromatic content typically <0.01–0.02 wt%. CLP classification is Flam. Liq. 2 (H225), DG transport UN 1262 or UN 3295, Class 3, PG II. Density ~690–725 kg/m³.
Light is the correct cluster for fast-evaporating applications where low odour, low aromatic content and branched-alkane structure are required: aerosol formulations, fast-set adhesives, precision cleaning, electronics assembly cleaning, cosmetic silicone delivery, and polymer carrier fluids with short flash-off requirements. Where slower evaporation is acceptable, medium isoparaffinic (C10–C14) or heavy (C12–C19) typically fits better.
Light isoparaffinic grades have flash points below +23°C, placing them within the Flam. Liq. 2 category under CLP. Transport is regulated as UN 1262 (for hexane-range cuts) or UN 3295 (for isoalkane mixtures), Class 3 Packing Group II. This compounds site handling obligations and logistics: bulk bunding, fire separation, specialist transport routing. The DG framework is the reason many buyers consider moving to medium isoparaffinic when the application allows.
Both sit in a similar boiling range. The difference is structural: n-hexane is a straight-chain alkane, while light isoparaffinic is a branched-alkane mixture. Branching gives cleaner evaporation residue, reduced odour, and different solvency for certain resins. n-Hexane is classified Reproductive Toxicant Cat. 2 (H361f) and is subject to REACH Annex XVII use restrictions for certain consumer applications; most light isoparaffinic grades are not. Where the reproductive-toxicant classification creates compliance friction, light isoparaffinic is the preferred route.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS), Certificates of Analysis (CoA), REACH registration references and low-aromatic declarations are issued directly by the relevant supplier at the point of offer. Specific documentation depends on producer, supply route and batch. Pharmacopoeial or food-contact routes of supply require explicit producer declaration and are not the default for technical-grade light isoparaffinic.
No. Alcoris does not sell, stock or distribute any product. Alcoris is an independent sourcing platform that structures and qualifies industrial buyer enquiries, then connects them to qualified third-party suppliers in the European supply network. Any resulting supply contract is concluded directly between the buyer and the third-party supplier. Alcoris is not a party to the contract. Details in the Legal Notice.
Commercial enquiries
Serious industrial enquiries only. State application, volume, delivery country, flash-point requirement and any route-specific documentation needs (cosmetic, pharmaceutical). Each enquiry is reviewed for cluster-fit coherence before supplier contact, if medium isoparaffinic, n-heptane or a dearomatised D-cut would fit the application better, we say so directly rather than routing the enquiry on the wrong basis.
All indicative values on this page are subject to confirmation at the point of offer. Buyers remain responsible for verifying product suitability, REACH and CLP compliance, transport classification (ADR, RID, IMDG applies), and all other regulatory obligations applicable to the intended use.
Enquiry received.
It will be reviewed and, where it fits the network, introduced to a qualified supplier who will respond directly with their offer.
Submission could not be completed.
Please try again, or email enquiries@alcoris.eu.