Dimethylether
- (CH3)2O
- CAS Number 115-10-6
- UN1033 (gas)
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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
Gas Phase
In standard conditions (1.013 bar, 15°C)
Physical Properties
Molecule phase diagram showing the transition phases between solid, liquid and gas as a function of temperature and pressure
-
- 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 |
| 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
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.
Learn More
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.