D-Limonene is used as a solvent for cleaning purposes, such as the removal of oil from machine parts, as it is produced from a renewable source (citrus oil, as a byproduct of orange juice manufacture). It is used as a paint stripper and is also useful as a fragrant alternative to turpentine. Limonene is also used as a solvent in some model airplane glues and as a constituent in some paints. Commercial air fresheners, with air propellants, containing limonene are used by philatelists to remove self-adhesive postage stamps from envelope paper.
Limonene is also used as a solvent for filament-fused 3D printing. Printers can print the plastic of choice for the model, but erect supports and binders from HIPS, a polystyrene plastic that is easily soluble in limonene. As it is combustible, limonene has also been considered as a biofuel.
D-limonene, Limonene, Orange Terpenes, Orange Oil - Technical grade
CAS NO. 8028-48-6
EINECS NO. 232-433-8
Appearance Colourless to yellow liquid
Specific Gravity@ 20°C 0.835 – 0.855
Refractive Index @ 20°C 1.46 – 1.48
Aldehyde Content (%) 0.10 min
Purity (%) 92 MinTypical Properties
Flash Point (°C) 45 – 50
Odour Clean citrus odour
BoilingPoint: 176 ºC (348.8 ºF)
MeltingPoint: -96 ºC (-141 ºF)
SpecificGravity 0.838 - 0.843 at 25ºC (77ºF)
RefractiveIndex: 1.471 - 1.474 at 20ºC (68ºF
VaporPressure: < 2 mmHg at 20ºC (68ºF)
Vapor Density: 4.7 (Air = 1
Viscosity: 0.923 cP at 25ºC (77ºF)
Flash Point (Closed Cup): >43ºC (>109 ºF)
FlammableLimits: 0.7% LEL; 6.1% UEL
Auto ignitionTemperature: 237ºC (459 ºF)
Solubility inWater: Immiscible
EvaporationRate: 0.2 (BuAc=1)
Partitioncoefficient(n-octanol/water): Kow=4.23 (for d-limonene)