Glycol Ether Solvent

Dow DPM (DPGME)

Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether — a water-soluble, mid-to-slow evaporating coupling solvent for coatings, inks, cleaners and agrochemical formulations.

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Product Overview

What Is Dow DPM

Dow DPM, the dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether grade from Dow, is a hydrophilic glycol ether solvent known in the industry as DPGME. It is a mixture of isomers supplied as a colorless, transparent liquid with a mild odor and complete miscibility in water.

Its balanced evaporation rate and strong solvency make it a natural coupling agent: it bridges hydrophobic and hydrophilic components in water-dilutable coatings, printing inks and cleaning formulations, helping formulators control drying speed and film formation.

Compared with propylene glycol methyl ether (PM), DPM offers a higher flash point, which makes it easier to handle, store and transport, and it helps prevent shock coagulation of emulsions when hydrophobic solvents are introduced into waterborne systems.

CAS 34590-94-8 EC 252-104-2 C₇H₁₆O₃ MW 148.2 g/mol

Purity typically above 99.0%, isomer mixture
Completely soluble in water at 25°C
Mild odor profile suited to consumer-facing products

Technical Data

Key Physical Properties

Typical values for Dow DPM (DPGME), based on published technical data for this glycol ether grade.

AppearanceColorless clear liquid
Purity> 99.0%
Molecular weight148.2 g/mol
Boiling point @ 760 mmHg190°C (374°F)
Flash point (closed cup)75°C (167°F)
Freezing point-83°C (-117°F)
Specific gravity (25/25°C)0.951
Vapor pressure @ 25°C0.4 mmHg
Viscosity @ 25°C3.7 mPa·s
Surface tension @ 20°C28.8 mN/m
Evaporation rate (n-BuAc = 1)0.035
Solubility in water @ 25°CCompletely miscible
Refractive index n20/D1.422

The low evaporation rate of 0.035 (versus n-butyl acetate = 1.0) gives formulators precise control over open time and drying speed, while the very low freezing point keeps the product liquid even in cold climates and unheated storage.

Why DPM

Performance Benefits

Strong Coupling Power

Its hydrophilic character makes DPM an efficient co-solvent that keeps water-dilutable coatings, inks and cleaners homogeneous and stable.

Easy Handling

A flash point of 75°C, well above that of PM, simplifies storage and transport conditions and widens the range of practical handling scenarios.

Controlled Evaporation

The mid-to-slow evaporation rate extends open time in coatings and inks, improving leveling, gloss and wetting of the substrate.

Emulsion Protection

Adding DPM before hydrophobic solvents helps prevent shock coagulation of latex emulsions, a common failure point in waterborne systems.

Where It Works

Typical Applications

Waterborne coatings — coupling solvent for water-dilutable and latex paints; active solvent in solvent-borne systems.
Printing inks — water-based gravure, flexographic and screen printing ink formulations.
Household & industrial cleaners — grease and paint removers, metal cleaners and hard-surface cleaning products.
Agrochemicals — stabilizer component in herbicide formulations.
Floor care — coalescing aid in floor polishes and finishes for film formation.
Personal care & fragrance — co-solvent and coupling agent in cosmetic and fragrance formulations.

Supply Details

Quality, Packaging & Storage

Consistent grade — every batch is supplied against the published Dow DPM specification with accompanying documentation.
Standard packaging — 195 kg steel drums; keep containers sealed and store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight.
Transport friendly — the 75°C closed-cup flash point makes DPM easier to ship and store than lower-flash glycol ethers.
Responsive supply — our team supports sample requests, specification checks and order coordination for formulators worldwide.