Butane | Metro Welding Supply Corp.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Butane gas is a versatile and highly efficient fuel source that finds widespread applications in various industries and everyday life. This clean-burning hydrocarbon gas is prized for its portability, ease of use, and energy density.

10 KEY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Hydrocarbon Compound: Butane is a hydrocarbon, which means it is composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Its chemical formula is C4H10.
2. Alkane Structure: Butane is an alkane, specifically a straight-chain alkane, with four carbon atoms bonded together in a continuous chain.
3. Colorless and Odorless: In its pure form, butane is a colorless and odorless gas. However, a distinctive odorant is often added for safety purposes to help detect leaks.
4. High Energy Density: Butane is valued for its high energy density, meaning it can release a significant amount of energy for its volume when burned. This makes it an efficient fuel source.
5. Flammable: Butane is highly flammable and can ignite easily in the presence of an ignition source such as a spark, flame, or heat.
6. Low Boiling Point: Butane has a relatively low boiling point of approximately -0.5 degrees Celsius (31.1 degrees Fahrenheit), which means it vaporizes at relatively low temperatures.
7. Pressurized Storage: In order to keep butane in its gaseous state for storage and transportation, it is typically stored in pressurized containers, such as canisters or cylinders.
8. Clean-Burning: When burned, butane produces a clean flame with minimal soot and emissions, making it an environmentally-friendly choice compared to some other hydrocarbon fuels.
9. Versatile Applications: Butane is used in a wide range of applications, from powering portable stoves for camping to serving as a fuel for torches, lighters, and heaters.
10. Boiling Point below Freezing Temperature: Butane has a boiling point below freezing, which means it can transition from a liquid to a gas even at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

10 COMMON USES

1. Camping and Outdoor Activities: Butane-powered stoves are popular among campers and outdoor enthusiasts for cooking meals in remote locations where traditional fuel sources may not be readily available.
2. Cooking and Culinary Arts: Professional chefs and home cooks use butane torches for tasks like caramelizing sugar, browning meringue, and searing meats, adding precision and finesse to their dishes.
3. DIY and Hobbyist Projects: Butane torches are used in soldering tasks for electrical and plumbing repairs, jewelry-making, and metalwork projects.
4. Heating and Climate Control: Butane-powered heaters provide a convenient source of heat for outdoor events, workshops, or temporary workspaces.
5. Lighting: Butane-powered lanterns are a reliable source of light for camping trips, power outages, and other outdoor activities.
6. Medical and Scientific Applications: Butane is used as a fuel source in some laboratory burners and torches for tasks like sterilizing instruments and conducting experiments.
7. Automotive and Mechanical Repairs: Butane is a common ingredient in lighter fluid used for igniting welding torches, as well as for lighters used in automotive repair shops.
8. Aerosol Products: Butane serves as a propellant in various aerosol products, including spray paints, deodorants, and insect repellents.
9. Cigar and Cigarette Lighters: Butane is a primary fuel in disposable lighters, providing a convenient and portable flame source for lighting cigars, cigarettes, and other items.
10. Firearms: Some firearms incorporate butane-powered lighters for ignition purposes in specific models.