- ▸ Acts as a slow-evaporating coalescing solvent in waterborne latex and acrylic architectural coatings, promoting uniform film formation and improved gloss as the paint dries.
- ▸ Serves as an active solvent and coupling agent in low-VOC paints, varnishes, lacquers and floor finishes where it balances hydrophilic and hydrophobic resin systems.
- ▸ Formulated into hard-surface and industrial HI&I cleaners, degreasers and graffiti removers to dissolve oils and provide effective coupling of water and surfactant phases.
- ▸ Used as a tail solvent and flow/leveling additive in screen and flexographic printing inks and in metalworking/coil-coating systems.
- ▸ Functions as a low-VOC alternative to ethylene-series glycol ethers in adhesives, sealants and specialty industrial cleaning concentrates.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Trade designations: Propylene glycol n-butyl ether (1-butoxy-2-propanol, CAS 5131-66-8) is the slow-evaporating P-series coupling solvent ordered as glycol ether PnB; producers sell the same substance under trade names such as DOWANOL® PnB (a Dow trademark). RawSource supplies the generic chemical and is not affiliated with Dow.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 225-878-4
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Dowanol® (Dow) are trademarks of their respective owners. RawSource is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these companies; names are referenced for comparison and compatibility identification only.