N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) is a powerful solvent with broad solubility for resins and high chemical and thermal stability. It is completely soluble with water at all temperatures and is soluble with most organic solvents.
Benefits and Applications
NMP, known for its low toxicity and solvent power, is rapidly becoming the product of choice for paint strippers, agricultural chemicals and process solvent applications. As a cosolvent, NMP can improve the gloss of floor polishes. Because of its high solvency and low volatility, NMP is used in automotive and industrial cleaners with solvents, including hydrocarbons, terpenes, propylene carbonate and propylene glycol ethers. It also has application in the electronic industry as a photoresist stripper. NMP can also be a replacement for 1,1,1-tricholoroethane (111T) in demanding applications, including the cleaning of metal parts. It is recyclable by distillation, readily biodegradable and essentially non-toxic to aquatic life. It is not on the Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) list of the U.S. 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.
Because of its exceptional performance and relatively low toxicity, NMP is the leading substitute for methylene chloride in paint strippers, graffiti removers and other products for consumer and industrial cleanup. NMP can be used safely and effectively in all its current applications when used with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Storage and Handling
NMP is hygroscopic (picks up moisture), but stable under normal conditions. It will violently react with strong oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, etc. The primary decomposition products produce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide fumes. Excessive exposure or spillage should be avoided as a matter of good practice. Lyondell recommends wearing butyl gloves when using NMP.
NMP should be stored in clean, mild phenolic-lined steel or alloy drums. Teflon®* and Kalrez®* have been shown to be suitable gasket materials.
*Teflon and Kalrez are registered trademarks of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company.