1,1,1-Trichloroethane is used mainly in metal cleaning/
degreasing and as a solvent in various formulations, including
adhesives, paints, varnishes, inks, dry cleaning agents, and
typewriter correction fluids. It is also utilized as a solvent in
aerosols, and it can be used as an additive to raise the flash point
of many flammable solvents. 1,1,1-Trichloroethane also finds uses as
a coolant and lubricant in metal cutting oils, as a solvent in textile
dyeing, for cleaning plastic moulds, and as a developer for printed
circuit boards.
Formerly, 1,1,1-trichloroethane was used as a solvent for various
insecticides, and, together with ethylene gas, for degreasing citrus
fruits and post-harvest fumigation of strawberries.
1,1,1-Trichloroethane is also a chemical intermediate in the
production of vinylidene chloride. In the USA, this accounts for 23%
of the total consumption of 1,1,1-trichloroethane, but this use
appears to represent only 5-10% of the production elsewhere.
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