One Product for Plenty of Innovations*
MMB (3-Methoxy-3-Methyl-1-Butanol) is the name of the solvent that Kuraray manufactured in 1972 by using the isoprene synthesis technology. INCI name of MMB is Methoxymethylbutanol. MMB is a colorless and a clear solvent. It is miscible with water in any proportion. It is totally biodegradable. MMB has a very low toxicity profile, and is a very good solubiliser for many aroma chemicals with a mild odor. It has amphiphilic properties; and registered in many countries. MMB was launched in Japan for air freshener products applications in 1977, and it was first launched in USA in 1995.
Before focusing on the high performance of MMB in air fresheners, it should be stated that MMB has a wide range of application areas from printing ink, industrial and surface cleaning products to liquid detergents, stain removers, pesticides and industrial hand soaps.
The great advantages of MMB in the use of air fresheners are listed as below:
Unique Evaporation Profile
The most desired solvent profile in air fresheners could be summarized as the one, which releases the perfomu odor both instantly and sustainably. In the graph, the vaporized amounts of MMB and the other solvents : Ethyl alcohol, DPM, DEP and DPG are compared in time. MMB evaporates not as slowly as DPM and DEP, it evaporates at an optium pace.
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Graphic 1: Comparison of the evaporation rates of MMB, ethyl alcohol, DPM, DEP and DPG at 22-23°C and RH 37-40%[/caption]
Less Sensitive to Humidity
The evaporation rates of MMB and DPM are compared in two different relative humidity (27-30% and 37-40%) conditions. MMB is less sensitive to humidity compared to DPM by looking at the evaporation rates at higher humidity. It is ideal in air fresheners that the solvent/solvent mix is minimally sensitivite to humidity.
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Graphic 2: Comparison of the evaporation rates of MMB and DPM at 22-23°C and at 27-30% RH and at RH 37-40%.[/caption]
Effect on Flash Point
Flash point of MMB is 71°C. When MMB is mixed with water in the ratios followingly: 99:1, 97:3, 95:5, and 90:10, the flash point increases respectively up to: 72°C, 75°C and 80°C and becomes not measurable at this point, which means the mixture is not a flammable solvent any longer. Therefore, when MMB is used in air fresheners, it becomes posssible to decrease the flammability degree.
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Table 1: Flash point measurement (Tag close Cup Method) of mixtures of different ratios of MMB and Water[/caption]
Auto-oxidation Profile
The peroxide amounts of the solvents; DEGBE, EGBE, DPM and MMB are given after 30 days of air exposure. MMB has the minimum amount of peroxide showing a stable pattern in time whereas the other solvents having higher peroxide amounts in an increasing rate in time. Low peroxide amount brings up a more powerful chemical stability.
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Graphic 3: Peroxide amount comparison of DEGBE, EGBE, DPM and MMB after 30 days of air exposure.[/caption]
Burçak Alioğlu
Technical Sales Manager
Arkem Kimya
