Dimethylether

(CH₃)₂O
CAS Number 115-10-6
UN1033 (gas)

Molecule
Properties
Applications
Safety & Compatibility
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Liquid / Gas Volumes

Calculate the volume or mass of a quantity of gas or liquid

Liquid Phase

At boiling point at 1.013 bar

m³ (Volume)

kg (Mass)

Gas Phase

In standard conditions (1.013 bar, 15°C)

m³ (Volume)

kg (Mass)

Physical Properties

Download the set of data (XLS - 77.98 KB)

General Properties
Solid Phase
Liquid Phase
Gas Phase

Molecule phase diagram showing the transition phases between solid, liquid and gas as a function of temperature and pressure

Pressure (bar)

- Molar mass 46.068 g/mol
- Content in dry air /
Critical Point
- Temperature 126.95 °C
- Pressure 53.7 bar
- Density 270.99 kg/m³
Triple Point
- Temperature -141.50 °C
- Pressure 3.05E-5 bar

Pressure 1.013 bar

Latent heat of fusion (at melting point)	107.168 kJ/kg
Melting point	- 141.49 °C

Pressure 1.013 bar

Boiling point	- 24.81 °C
Latent heat of vaporization (at boiling point)	461.55 kJ/kg
Liquid density (at boiling point)	735.2 kg/m³

Pressure 1.013 bar

0 °C
15 °C
25 °C

Compressibility factor Z	9.7179E-1
Cp/Cv ratio γ	1.1746
Gas density (at boiling point)	2.362 kg/m³
Gas density	2.1145 kg/m³
Gas/(liquid at boiling point) equivalent	345.58 vol/vol
Heat capacity Cp	1.4431 kJ/(kg.K)
Heat capacity Cv	1.2285 kJ/(kg.K)
Specific volume	4.729E-1 m³/kg
Thermal conductivity	15.616 mW/(m.K)
Vapor pressure	2.673 bar
Viscosity	8.2865E-5 Po

Compressibility factor Z	9.7735E-1
Cp/Cv ratio γ	1.164
Gas density	1.993 kg/m³
Gas/(liquid at boiling point) equivalent	366.65 vol/vol
Heat capacity Cp	1.4615 kJ/(kg.K)
Heat capacity Cv	1.2556 kJ/(kg.K)
Specific volume	5.018E-1 m³/kg
Thermal conductivity	16.999 mW/(m.K)
Vapor pressure	4.392 bar
Viscosity	8.7748E-5 Po

Compressibility factor Z	9.8021E-1
Cp/Cv ratio γ	1.158
Gas density	1.9205 kg/m³
Gas/(liquid at boiling point) equivalent	380.49 vol/vol
Heat capacity Cp	1.4787 kJ/(kg.K)
Heat capacity Cv	1.2769 kJ/(kg.K)
Specific volume	5.207E-1 m³/kg
Thermal conductivity	17.958 mW/(m.K)
Vapor pressure	5.928 bar
Viscosity	9.0995E-5 Po

Applications

Examples of uses of this molecule in Industry and Healthcare

Chemicals

Dimethylether is used as solvent in chemical and petrochemical industry.

Safety & Compatibility

Major Hazards
Material Compatibility

GHS02

Flammable

GHS04

Gas under pressure

Autoignition Temperature, Flammability Limits & Flash Point

Europe (according to EN1839 for Limits and EN 14522 for autoignition temperature)

Autoignition temperature (Chemsafe)	240 °C
Lower flammability limit (IEC 80079-20-1)	2.8 vol%
Upper flammability limit (IEC 80079-20-1)	24.4 vol%

US (according to ASTM E681 for Limits and ASTM E659 for autoignition temperature)

Autoignition temperature (NFPA 325)	350 °C
Lower flammability limit (NFPA 325)	3.4 vol%
Upper flammability limit (NFPA 325)	27 vol%

Threshold of toxicity

ILV-8h EU (at Patm and 293.15 K)

1920 mg/m³ or 1000 ppm

Odor

Slightly ethereal

Metals

Aluminium	Satisfactory
Brass	Satisfactory
Monel	No data
Copper	No data
Ferritic Steel	Satisfactory
Stainless steel	Satisfactory
Zinc	No data
Titanium	No data

Plastics

Polytetrafluoroethylene	Satisfactory
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene	Satisfactory
Polyvinylidene fluoride	Satisfactory
Polyvinyl chloride	Significant swelling Not recommended
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene	No data
Polycarbonate	No data
Polyamide	Significant swelling Not recommended
Polypropylene	Significant swelling Not recommended

Elastomers

Butyl (isobutene- isoprene) rubber	Significant swelling Not recommended
Nitrile rubber	Significant swelling Not recommended
Chloroprene	Significant swelling Not recommended
Chlorofluorocarbons	No data
Silicone	Satisfactory
Perfluoroelastomers	Significant swelling Not recommended
Fluoroelastomers	Significant swelling Not recommended
Neoprene	No data
Polyurethane	Significant swelling Not recommended
Ethylene-Propylene	Significant swelling Not recommended

Lubricants

Hydrocarbon based lubricant	Significant loss of mass Not recommended
Fluorocarbon based lubricant	Significant loss of mass Not recommended

Materials compatibility

Recommendations : Air Liquide has gathered data on the compatibility of gases with materials to assist you in evaluating which materials to use for a gas system. Although the information has been compiled from what Air Liquide believes are reliable sources (International Standards: Compatibility of cylinder and valve materials with gas content; Part 1- Metallic materials: ISO11114-1 (March 2012), Part 2 - Non-metallic materials: ISO11114-2 (April 2013), it must be used with extreme caution and engineering judgement. No raw data such as these can cover all conditions of concentration, temperature, humidity, impurities and aeration. It is therefore recommended that this table is only used to identify possible materials for applications at high pressure and ambient temperature. Extensive investigation and testing under the specific conditions of use need to be carried out to validate a material selection for a given application. Contact the regional Air Liquide team for expertise service.

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More information

Dimethyl ether (DME), also known as methoxymethane, is the organic compound with the formula CH3OCH3, simplified to C2H6O. The simplest ether, it is a colorless gas that is a useful precursor to other organic compounds and an aerosol propellant and is being studied as a future energy option. It is an isomer of ethanol. Unlike other alkyl ethers, dimethyl ether resists autoxidation. Dimethyl ether is also relatively non-toxic, although it is highly flammable.