Furfuryl alcohol is an organic compound used as a solvent, to make wetting agents, adhesives, resins, and rocket fuel. It is made from furfuraldehyde, which is derived from plant waste. China produces 67% of the world’s furfuryl alcohol, affecting its price. It is used in metal casting, wood adhesives, and cement to make them stronger and more durable. In rocket fuel, it acts as an ignition source.
Furfuryl alcohol is an organic compound consisting of a hydroxymethyl group and a furan ring. This compound is also known as 2-furancarbino and 2-furylmethanol. It is used as a solvent and to make wetting agents, adhesives and resins. Other uses of furfuryl alcohol include its use in rocket fuel and for treating wood.
To create furfuryl alcohol the furfuraldehyde is reduced. Furfural is made from plant waste including corn cobs, sugar cane, rice husks, and oat husks. China produces 67 percent of all furfuryl alcohol produced in the world. Because China produces so much of this chemical, it greatly affects the price.
The alcohol is normally clear, although if the chemical is exposed to air it can take on a light yellow color. The smell is similar to bitter almond, although some people describe the smell as having a slight burnt smell. It mixes easily with organic solvents and water.
In the metal casting industry, furfuryl alcohol is used to produce furan resins in sand binders. This alcohol is mixed with phenol-formaldehyde or urea to form the resin binding agent. The binder then helps form the sand into different shapes. In particular, 2-furylmethanol is used in gas quenching processes, in no-bake systems and in warm or hot box procedures. No other chemicals can be used in its place when making these resins.
This is also an important component of wood adhesives. Alcohol can easily move into the cells of the wood due to its low molecular weight. When a catalyst or heat is applied to the wood, the alcohol polymerizes. This results in a wood that is harder, more stable and resistant to decay. Sometimes wood adhesive is applied to the wood as a treatment even if nothing is applied.
Furfuryl alcohol can also be added to cement and mortar used in floors. As with wood adhesives, alcohol makes flooring compounds much stronger and denser. The shrinkage of cement is less than XNUMX%, and it can withstand very high temperatures. Often, the furfuryl resin is the component added to the cement, not the pure furfuryl alcohol.
The role of furfuryl alcohol in rocket fuel is that of an ignition source. When alcohol comes in contact with oxidizing agents, typically a type of nitric acid, it ignites. Alcoholic fuel is hypergolic. This type of fuel is one in which a flame or ignition is not required. When the oxidizer and the fuel come into contact with each other, the fuel ignites spontaneously.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
