Overview
Ethylene oxide (EO) is a crucial industrial chemical first synthesized in 1859. As the simplest epoxide, it's valued for its high reactivity and versatility. The global market produces over 20 million tons annually, primarily for ethylene glycol manufacturing. Its small molecular size allows penetration into porous materials, making it ideal for sterilization applications. Modern production methods typically involve silver-catalyzed oxidation of ethylene. Due to its hazardous nature, strict regulations govern its production, transportation, and use across all industries. The chemical plays a foundational role in numerous derivative products that touch nearly every industrial sector.
Physical and Chemical Properties
As a cyclic ether with significant ring strain, ethylene oxide demonstrates exceptional reactivity. The three-membered epoxide ring readily opens for nucleophilic attack, enabling diverse chemical transformations. Its physical state depends on temperature and pressure - gaseous at room temperature but easily liquefied under moderate pressure (approximately 1.5 MPa at 20°C). The compound forms explosive mixtures with air across an unusually wide range (3-100%). Its heat of combustion is -1,302 kJ/mol, contributing to fire hazards. EO polymerizes exothermically, requiring inhibitors like water or alcohols during storage. These properties necessitate specialized handling equipment and procedures in industrial settings.
Main Applications
Approximately 60% of global EO production converts to ethylene glycol for antifreeze and polyester fibers. In healthcare, EO sterilization accounts for nearly 50% of all medical device sterilization due to its effectiveness against all microorganisms and material compatibility. The process requires specialized chambers and aeration periods to remove residual gas. Chemical derivatives include ethanolamines (for detergents), glycol ethers (solvents), and polyethylene glycols (pharmaceuticals). Emerging applications include bio-derived EO for sustainable plastics. The fumigation application has declined due to safety concerns, though some agricultural uses persist under strict controls.
Safety and Storage
EO presents multiple hazards: carcinogenicity (Group 1 IARC), flammability, and high reactivity. Facilities require explosion-proof equipment, continuous gas monitoring, and emergency scrubbers. Personnel need respirators with supplied air for concentrations above 1 ppm (OSHA PEL). Storage vessels typically include refrigeration systems and pressure relief devices. Leak detection systems should use infrared or catalytic sensors rather than electrochemical types. Firefighting requires dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers - water application may spread the fire. All equipment handling EO must meet ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code specifications for hazardous service.
B2B Procurement Guide
Buyers should verify supplier certifications including ISO 9001, Responsible Care, and transport safety compliance. Bulk purchases typically come in ISO tank containers or dedicated chemical tankers with nitrogen padding. Contracts should specify inhibitor content (usually 5-10 ppm water), purity (>99.9%), and maximum aldehyde content. Regional regulations vary significantly - European purchases fall under REACH while U.S. transactions require TSCA compliance. Just-in-time delivery minimizes storage risks. Alternative sterilization methods (gamma radiation, steam) may reduce EO needs for some buyers. Price fluctuations track ethylene and energy markets closely.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：聚甲醛塑胶原料
- 主营：PMMA、PVC、TPE、TPU、PCT、PC、PPS、PP、PBT、POM、PC/ABS、MABS、CAP、CAB、PPO、TPV、CA、PCTG、PA66、PA6、PA6T、PA9T、PET
- 主营：美国杜邦POM、塞拉尼斯PA66、台湾奇美、环氧乙烷消毒、工程塑料、通用塑料、韩国sk PP、TPU、TPEE、美国3M、氟塑料、特氟龙涂料
- 主营：科思创、tpe注塑、lde灯罩、pom塑料、pom塑胶、长玻纤、abs塑胶、紫外线、pa-757a01、表带料、导电tpr、fep塑胶、pa-737a03、tpu德国、pa-747a01、pom熔指、性导电、塑胶料、耐寒abs、威格斯、透明tpu、连接器、lcp小米、pa6塑胶、磨砂料
- 主营：均聚物、ABS、PA66、美国杜邦、PBI、日本宝理、沙伯基础
- 主营：粘接剂、树脂粉、abs韩国、pvc塑胶、纯圆棒、pok韩国、asa韩国、加铁氟龙、ppa长碳纤、abs合金料、纤导电pom、pa6长碳纤、长纤塑料、紫外线pok、塑料颗粒、分子pe粉末、韩国lg塑料、加石墨填充、食品级树脂、灰黑色塑料、导电防静电、防静电塑料、酰亚胺棒材、聚酰亚胺树脂、抗紫外线塑胶
- 主营：工程塑料、PA66、PEEK、环氧乙烷灭菌、POM、PC、PVDF、ABS、EVA、TPEE、PCTG、PMMA、LCP
- 主营：通用塑料
- 主营：POM塑胶原料、PA66塑胶原料、PA6塑胶原料、PA12塑胶原料、LCP塑胶原料、PPO塑胶原料、ABS塑胶原料、PC塑胶原料、PVA降解塑料、TPEE塑胶原料、TPU塑胶原料
- 主营：工程塑胶原料、通用塑胶原料、合金塑胶原料
- 主营：乳百灵、乳化剂、防染剂、鲸蜡硬脂醇、家用清洗剂、聚氧乙烯醚、十六十八醇聚醚、渗透剂、清洗剂、金属加工清洁剂、金属加工消泡剂、金属加工柔软剂、金属加工业防锈剂、金属冷却剂、机械净洗剂、造纸乳化剂、造纸助剂、纸张柔软剂、金属成型润滑剂、金属加工业保湿剂、金属增溶剂、电镀光亮剂、三乙醇胺油酸皂、乳化剂OP-10、酚醚磷酸酯
- 主营：120号溶剂油、150号溶剂油、200号溶剂油、甲基环氧乙烷、260号溶剂油、白油、D40溶剂油、D60溶剂油、D80溶剂油、D130溶剂油、磺化煤油、丙二醇、对甲苯磺酰氯、莫卡、聚乙二醇、二茂铁、石蜡、乙二醇、铝粉膏、抗氧剂T501、甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯、甲基叔丁基醚、乙二醇丁醚、甲缩醛、石脑油、正十四烷
- 主营：非离子表面活性剂、三乙醇胺、吐温80、斯盘、农乳500、聚乙二醇、脂肪醇聚氧乙烯醚、蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚
- 主营：手术灯、手术床、麻醉机、环氧乙烷灭菌器、高频电刀、电动吸引器、吊塔、电动病床、输液架、排痰机、除颤仪、监护仪、心电图机、灭菌器、消毒机、手术体位垫、微量泵、黄疸治疗仪、空气消毒机、电动止血带、ABS抢救车
- 主营：pom、pp通用料、Pa66、Tpee、EVA
- 主营：除油剂、乙酰氯、凡士林、硫酸铜、异丙醇、三乙胺、漂白粉、丙烯酸、硬脂酸、制冷剂、石油醚、清洗剂、铭酸酐、脱硝剂、二氯甲烷、涂料油墨、正丁酰氯、盐酸羟胺、印染助剂、四氢呋喃、环氧丙烷、偏硅酸钠、过硫酸钠、氢氧化钾、橡胶助剂
- 主营：聚乙二醇、聚丙二醇、叔胺、伯胺、染料中间体
- 主营：异丙醇、制冷剂、苯乙烯、甲基环氧乙烷、二甲胺、四氢呋喃、环氧氯丙烷、环氧丙烷、泡花碱、漂白粉、硫酸氢氨、三甲胺、保险粉、叔丁醇、环丁砜、清洗剂、漂白剂、着色剂、磷酸、溴化铜、液碱、氨水、异丙醚、钛白粉、片碱
- 主营：渗透剂、十八胺、乳化剂、十二胺、匀染剂o、石油化工、十六十八醇、醇聚氧乙烯醚、乳百灵、聚丙二醇 PPG、脂肪酸酯、磷酸酯、匀染剂、甘油三油酸酯、辛基酚聚氧乙烯醚、聚醚、消泡剂、农药乳化剂、分散剂、添加剂AC、乳化剂司盘、抗静电剂、纺织前处理助剂
- 主营：苯甲醇、抗冻剂、丙三醇、润滑剂、叶面肥、慢干溶剂、二甲基亚砜、二甲基乙酰胺、十二水硫酸铝钾
- 主营：PPS塑料、LCP塑料、POM塑料、PC塑料、PCTG塑料
- 主营：10ul吸头、巴氏吸管、离心管、聚环氧乙烷、透析袋、琼脂糖、国产试剂
- 主营：架桥剂、YW100 锂萃取剂、端羧基液体丁腈橡胶、10-羟基癸酸、苯乙烯磷酸、肉豆蔻酸镁、硬脂酸钴、全氟三丁胺、乙烯基磷酸二乙酯、磷酸锰铁锂、β-磷酸三钙、十一烯酸、钨酸铝、1-乙炔基环已醇、间二异丙苯、锂硅合金、溴甲酚绿、生物活性玻璃、溴代海因树脂颗粒、红铝、龙涎酮、原丁酸三甲酯
- 主营：PA66、POM、PC/ABS、PPS、Eva、TPU、POE、pa6t、Pa9t、ppsu、Tpu、Tpv、1180a、Peek、M800e、PVDF、Pmma、Tpee、Pom100p、Pom500p、Pom900p、Abs747、Abs757、独山子800h、PoK