HP DME

Aerosol Propellant

Technical Information
Introduction

Table 1. Physical Properties of HP DME

HP DME (dimethyl ether) is a medium to high pressure

FormulaCH3OCH3propellant and an excellent solvent that is very soluble in

Molecular Weight46.07

water. This bulletin presents technical information on its

Boiling Point, °F-12.7

physical properties, chemical stability, solubility, material

Vapor Pressure, psig

compatibility, and toxicity. It also discusses the flammability

70°F

63

properties of HP DME and those of mixtures of HP DME

130°F

174

and propellants and solvents commonly used in the aerosol

Liquid Density, g/ccindustry. Reviews of the properties and uses of dimethyl

70°F

0.66

ether have been published (References 1-8).

130°F

0.60

Physical Properties

Solubility (wt % at 70°F/autogeneous pressure)
HP DME in Water

35

Table 1 lists selected physical properties of HP DME.

Water in HP DME

6Figures 1 and 2 show the saturated vapor pressures of HP

Kauri-Butanol Value

60

Solubility Parameter

7.3

DME over the temperature ranges 0°F to 160°F (–17.8°Cto 71.1°C) and 70°F to 130°F (21.1°C to 54.4°C),respectively. The latter temperature range is of particularinterest to the aerosol industry. Similarly, Figures 3 and 4
show respectively liquid densities of HP DME over thesame two temperature ranges (References 9 and 10).

Flammability Limits in Air, Vol %3.4 – 18.0

The ﬂammability of HP DME can be suppressed by HP
134a. Blends of HP DME with nonflammable HP 134a
propellant remain nonﬂammable up to about 3.5 weight

Flammability

percent concentration of the ether.

HP DME is a flammable propellant. Its lower explosive limit

Mixtures of HP DME and halogenated solvents such as(LEL) in air is approximately 60 percent larger than that ofpropane, i.e., comparing HP DME and propane, about 60
percent more HP DME than propane can be vaporized in air
before the lower explosive limit is reached. Similarly, the LELof HP DME is approximately 85 percent larger than that ofisobutane. Furthermore, the heat of combustion of HP DME
is about 35 percent less than the heat of combustion ofhydrocarbon propellants. Nonetheless, pure HP DME isextremely flammable and only trained personnel using
proper equipment should handle it.

methylene chloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane show
significantly reduced or zero flame extension and flashback
relative to the pure propellant.
Water is also effective in reducing the flame extension of
HP DME propellant. To illustrate, a blend of 80 percent HP
DME, 14 percent water, and 6 percent ethanol exhibits
zero flame extension.

HP DME

Aerosol Propellant

Stability

propellant content to achieve a range of product

HP DME is a chemically stable compound that reacts ordecomposes only under rather severe conditions. Inaqueous solutions, the propellant is hydrolytically stableperformance characteristics.

Material Compatibility

over a wide pH range.

At low to moderate concentrations of HP DME, aerosol

HP DME does not form peroxides under conditions normallyunlined tinplate or aluminum cans. However, only unlined

encountered in the aerosol industry. HP DME in the purestate or in formulations formed no detectable peroxide in six
months storage tests at 104°F (40°C). Aerosol packages
filled with HP DME in the pure state or with HP DME andcompressed air up to 75 psig (5.2 bar) formed no detectable
peroxide. Large quantities of dimethyl ether in the presenceof chlorinated solvents and chlorofluorocarbons produced

formulations can be packaged in most currently used lined orcontainers are recommended when HP DME is present at
more than 25 weight percent to avoid attack of the container
lining. Storage tests should be performed on individual
formulations to verify compatibility with the container.
In aqueous compositions, particularly non-foaming products,
corrosion inhibitors are recommended for tinplate containers.

no detectable amounts of bischloromethyl ether.

Demineralized water that contains less than 15 ppm chloride

Solubility

headspace with vacuum and/or purging with an inert gas.

HP DME is unique among aerosol propellants in that it has
high solubility in both polar and nonpolar solvents. It has a
Kauri-butanol value of 60 and is completely miscible withmost organic solvents, such as hydrocarbons, halogenatedalcohols, ketones, glycols, ethers, amides, esters, aldehydes,and amines. HP DME is also a very good solvent for many
types of polymers, e.g., hair spray and paint resins.
The combination of water and ethanol is of special interest as
solvent for HP DME. HP DME has 35 weight percent
solubility in water and is the only liquefied gas aerosol
propellant that allows formulation of single phase productswith large amounts of water. In addition, only 6 weight percentof ethanol produces completely miscible 3-component

ion should be used and air should be removed from theValve cup and stem gaskets should also be chosencarefully. For mounting cups, polyethylene sleeve gaskets
and laminated polypropylene gaskets generally perform
very well. Stem gaskets of neoprene or butyl rubber arerecommended. As with containers, storage tests should beperformed and valve suppliers should be consulted withregard to specific formulations, particularly those with highHP DME concentrations.

Toxicity
HP DME has low acute and chronic toxicity. Although anACGIH TLV® has not been established for dimethyl ether, avalue of 1,000 ppm seems appropriate based on its low

systems with all proportions of HP DME and water.

toxicity. The main physiological action is that of “weakVapor Pressures of Mixtures

sensitization has been observed in animals exposed to HP

A high concentration of HP DME is required in water-ethanol
solutions to give vapor pressures useful for aerosol products.
For example 28 percent HP DME in pure water and 59
percent HP DME A in pure ethanol are required to produce aninternal pressure of 50 psig (3.4 bar) in aerosol containers.
This is in contrast to less water soluble propellants.
An aerosol propellant obtained by blending HP DME offers
product formulation advantages. HP DME is an excellent
solvent but pressure increases slowly as its concentration
increases in a formulation. Selected combinations of twopropellants and solvents provide interesting formulating
possibilities. By varying proportions of two propellants, theformulator can optimize pressure, solvency, and total

anesthesia” at high inhaled levels. Weak cardiac
DME at about 200,000 ppm, a circumstance that would
likely occur only in gross misuse situations or accidental
release of the propellant.
A two-year inhalation study and carcinogenicity bioassay at
exposure levels of up to 20,000 ppm showed no compoundrelated effects in the test animals examined for gross signs,
body weight, hematology, urine analysis, blood chemistry, andgross and histopatholigic examination of tissues at any
exposure level, Figure 1. HP DME Vapor Pressure. HP DME
showed no signs of carcinogenicity in the study and in
separate reproductive studies, HP DME has shown noevidence of mutagenicity or teratogenicity. Based on all thesestudies, the products have been approved by Chemours forgeneral aerosol use, including personal products.

HP DME

Aerosol Propellant

References

Figure 2. HP DME Vapor Pressure

1. Bohnenn, L. J. M., “Dimethylether Pure—A Review,”

From 70 to 130°F

180

Aerosol Age, Volume 26, Number 1, p. 26 (1981).

170

2. Bohnenn, L. J. M., “Update & Review of Dimethylether

160

Propellant, 1986,” Aerosol Age, Volume 31, Number 9,150

p. 30 (1986).

140

Propellant,” Aerosol Age, Volume 27, Number 5, p. 20;
Number 6, p. 33 (1982).
4. Daly, Jr., J. J., “DME Is Now,” Chemical Times & ChemicalTimes & Trends, Number 10, p. 38 (1982).

Pressure, psig

3. Roundtable Discussion: “DuPont Talks About Its DME

1301201101005. Daly, Jr., J. J., “A New Era In Aerosol Propellants,” Drug and90

Cosmetic Industry, Volume 134, Number 2, p. 40 (1984).

80

6. Nowak, F., Bartlett, P. L., and Daly, Jr., J. J., “Dimethyl70

Ether— An Alternative Propellant for Aerosol Hair Sprays,”

60
70

Aerosol Age, Volume 30, Number 4, p. 24 (1985).

90
Temperature, °F

110130Figure 1. HP DME Vapor Pressure
Figure 3. HP DME Liquid Density

From 0 to 160°F

260

From 0 to 160°F0.72

2400.71

2200.70

2000.69
1800.680.67

1400.66
Density, g/ccPressure, psig

160

120
10080

0.65
0.64
0.63
0.62

60

0.61

400.60200.590.5800204060
80
100Temperature, °F

1201401600.570204060
80
100Temperature, °F

120140160

HP DME

Aerosol Propellant

Figure 4. HP DME Liquid Density
0.67

From 70 to 130°F

0.66Density, g/cc

0.65

0.64

0.63

0.62

0.61

0.60
7090Temperature, °F

110130For more information about propellants from Chemours, visit Chemours.com/Propellants
The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, attheir own risk. Because conditions of use are outside our control, Chemours makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of thisinformation. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under, or a recommendation to infringe, any patents or patent applications.
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Replaces: H-00250-2
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