Perchloroethylene

Perchloroethylene (perc) is colourless liquid with an odour like ether or chloroform. It is non-flammable and soluble in alcohol, ether and oils.

A major outlet for perc is as a chemical intermediate, particularly as the basic raw material in the manufacture of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 134a, a popular alternative to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. It is also used in the synthesis of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) 123 and 124 and HFC 125.

Perchloroethylene is also an important solvent because of its stability and non-flammability. It is the primary solvent used in commercial and industrial dry cleaning because it is safe to use on common textiles, fibres and dyes, and is effective at removing fats, oils and greases. The textile industry also uses it as a spotting agent, wool scourer, dye carrier, and for sizing and finishing of cloth.
 
Many industries, including aerospace, appliance and automotive manufacturers, use perc for vapour degreasing of metal parts during various production stages. Its high boiling point and long cleaning cycle enable difficult 'soils' such as waxes with high melting points to be removed. It is also favoured in many applications for its low vapour pressure and high vapour density, resulting in lower fugitive emissions.

Other applications include the extraction of fats, dissolving rubber, paint removal, sulphur recovery and as a carrier solvent for silicones.