Perchloroethylene (PCE)

A high-boiling non-polar chlorinated hydrocarbon with extremely strong degreasing power that can be recovered by distillation, for precision metal vapour cleaning, textile dry cleaning, fluorinated refrigerant synthesis, pharmaceutical extraction, rubber de-oiling and paint and ink stripping.

At a Glance

CAS No.	127-18-4
Chemical Name	Perchloroethylene (PCE, tetrachloroethylene, perchloroethene)
Molecular Formula	C2Cl4
Purity	≥99%
Origin	China
Packaging	210 L steel drum (300 kg) / IBC / ISO tank / small drum
Lead Time	Around 60 working days after deposit

Product Overview

Perchloroethylene — also called PCE, tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethene — is produced by deep chlorination of ethylene followed by multi-stage vacuum rectification, with water, light fractions and chlorine impurities tightly controlled, and is offered in a general industrial grade and a low-ion electronic refined grade. Insoluble in water, it dissolves mineral oils, greases, paraffin wax and rubber oils extremely strongly, has a moderate boiling point and good thermal stability, and suits vapour-phase degreasing equipment. Chemically stable and non-flammable, it can be distilled and reused repeatedly, greatly reducing consumable cost.

Industry-wide, global demand for precision vapour cleaning of automotive parts and new-energy hardware remains firm, and fluorinated refrigerant synthesis has become the core growth outlet, while traditional demand from textile dry cleaning, pharmaceutical extraction and rubber processing stays stable. As volatile aromatic hydrocarbons come under tighter control, PCE's degreasing efficiency far exceeds that of ordinary alkane solvents and its closed-loop recovery fits environmental production requirements. Storage and transport must strictly exclude strong alkalis and reactive metals in a dedicated sealed hazardous goods warehouse, and complete recovery equipment is well established.

Key Advantages

Extremely Strong Oil and Grease Solvency — the Core Material for Vapour Degreasing

It strips stamping oils, drawing greases, rust-preventive waxes and rubber oils far faster than hydrocarbon solvents, with no residue in vapour cleaning — suited to precision hardware and lithium-battery components.

Excellent Thermal Stability with Low Vapour-Phase Equipment Losses

It resists decomposition in high-temperature distillation, keeps cleaning baths stable over long periods and gives a high distillation recovery rate, sharply reducing consumable costs over time.

Non-Flammable, Lower Explosion-Proof Investment in the Workshop

With no flash point it will not readily ignite or explode, so fire control in the workshop is simpler than with ketone or alkane cleaning solvents.

Multi-Industry Use: Cleaning and Synthesis in One

It works both as an industrial degreasing and dry-cleaning solvent and as a base raw material for fluorinated refrigerants and fine chemical synthesis, covering several production lines from one material.

Applications

Perchloroethylene serves six differentiated industrial sectors: precision metal vapour cleaning, textile dry cleaning, fluorinated refrigerant synthesis, pharmaceutical active extraction, rubber de-oiling and degreasing, and old paint and ink stripping.

• Precision metal vapour cleaning — vapour degreasing of automotive stampings, lithium-battery hardware, bearings and moulds; heavy lubricating oil is removed completely and parts come out clean with no water marks.
• Textile industrial dry cleaning — a dedicated dry-cleaning solvent for wool, silk and leather that removes soil without damaging fibres, so garments keep their shape and colour.
• Fluorinated refrigerant intermediates — a core raw material for HCFC and HFC eco-refrigerant synthesis and a long-term staple feedstock for the chemical industry.
• Pharmaceutical purification and extraction — a separation solvent for fat-soluble drugs and plant essential oils with high extraction purity and easy downstream distillation recovery.

Technical Specifications

Appearance	Colourless liquid with a chloroform-like odour
Purity	≥99%
Molecular Formula	C2Cl4
CAS No.	127-18-4
EINECS No.	204-825-9
Relative Density (water = 1)	1.63
Flash Point	/
Boiling Point	121.2 °C
Hazard Classification	Class 6.1 toxic liquid
Stability	Stable when sealed at ambient temperature; never contact strong alkalis, alkali metals or reactive metal powders
Solubility	Insoluble in water; miscible with ethanol, ether, chloroform and most other organic solvents
Storage	Store in a cool, sealed dedicated hazardous goods warehouse, protected from light and kept closed at all times. Keep segregated from alkalis and metal raw materials, with containment bunds and absorbent sand on site.

Composition

Component	Concentration	CAS No.
Perchloroethylene	≥99%	127-18-4

Transport & Compliance

UN No.	UN1897
Hazard Class	Class 6.1 toxic liquid
Packing Group	III
HS Code	2903230000
Packaging	300 kg per drum (210 L steel drum)

UN and HS codes are shown for reference only — please confirm with us before shipment.

FAQ

What is your minimum order quantity?

Our MOQ is one 20GP container — up to 80 drums of 210 L.

What packaging do you offer?

Standard 210 L steel drums, plus IBC totes, ISO tank containers and small drums.

How many drums fit in a 20GP or 40GP, and can you consolidate?

Yes, we consolidate up to 5 product types in one shipment. A 20GP holds up to 80 drums (210 L); a 40GP holds around 130 drums (210 L).

What is the lead time?

Around 60 working days after the deposit is received.

Which export documents do you provide?

COA, MSDS, commodity inspection certificate and dangerous goods packaging certificate. We can also assist with Certificate of Origin and other customs paperwork.

What payment terms do you accept?

T/T: 30% deposit, 70% balance against a copy of the Bill of Lading.

Technical Documents