Propane
C3H8		 Home | Contact Us | Profile | Quote Request
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Periodic Chart Chart Index Reference
General Characteristics Health Hazards Material Recommendations
A colorless, flammable, odorless and liquefied gas. A simple asphyxiant Noncorrosive, most common materials can be used.
TLV-TWA Flammable Limits DOT Class / Label
None Estabished 2.2 - 9.5% 2.1 / Flammable Gas
Molecular Weight Specific Gravity Specific Volume
44.10 1.55 @ 68 F 8.5 cu.ft./lb @ 70 F
CGA Valve Outlet CAS Registry No. UN Number
510 74-98-6 1978
National Stock Number (NSN) Applicable to Propane MIL Specs/ Fed Specs
MSDS for Propane

Grade
Part #		 Purity Minimum Cylinder
Size		 Volume
LBS		 Pressure
@ 70°F		 Comments
Research
472100 		99.99% Min.
 002 0.875 109

None
Instrument
404500 		99.5% Min.
 454
110
044
016
007
 485
116
35
15
5
 109
109
109
109
109
Chemically Pure
432900		 99.0% Min. 454
110
044
016
007
 485
116
35
15
5
 109
109
109
109
109
Uses: A colorless, easily liquefied, gaseous hydrocarbon (compound of carbon and hydrogen), the third member of the paraffin series following methane and ethane. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8. It is separated in large quantities from natural gas, light crude oil, and oil-refinery gases and is commercially available as liquefied propane or as a major constituent of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

As with ethane and other paraffin hydrocarbons, propane is an important raw material for the ethylene petrochemical industry. The decomposition of propane in hot tubes to form ethylene also yields another important product, propylene. From propylene such organic chemicals as acetone and propylene glycol are derived. The oxidation of propane to such compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen as acetaldehyde is also of commercial interest.

Although a gas at ordinary atmospheric pressure, propane has a boiling point of -42.1° C (-43.8° F) and thus is readily liquefied under elevated pressures. It therefore is transported and handled as a liquid in cylinders and tanks. In this form, alone or mixed with liquid butane, it has great importance as a fuel for domestic and industrial uses and for internal-combustion engines.