Solvent-sensitive

Describing a material, substance, or process that exhibits a change in physical or chemical properties when exposed to a solvent or a particular type of solvent. This sensitivity can manifest as swelling, dissolving, degradation, discoloration, or a change in mechanical strength. The degree of sensitivity depends on the specific material and the characteristics of the solvent, including its polarity, molecular size, and chemical reactivity. Understanding solvent sensitivity is crucial in various applications, from coating technologies to materials science and chemical engineering.

Solvent-sensitive meaning with examples

• The artist carefully chose solvent-sensitive inks to achieve specific effects on the paper. The solvent used in one ink caused a bleeding effect which added to the watercolor design, however the other solvent had a damaging effect on the paper texture, which was unintended. This required great care to keep the desired effect with the right solvents.
• The delicate plastic components in the electronic device were solvent-sensitive, requiring special cleaning agents during manufacturing. Using isopropyl alcohol in the cleaning process to remove flux residue resulted in a cloudy appearance and cracking on the plastic case; therefore, they used a gentler solvent instead. The result was better parts without the risks.
• Researchers are developing new polymers with reduced solvent sensitivity for use in high-performance coatings. The objective of reducing its solvent sensitivity would allow its use in wider applications and would not require care in how the solvents might react with the coating. By changing the polymer formulation, the resulting coating's solvent sensitivity will become an advantage.
• In the pharmaceutical industry, understanding solvent-sensitive drug formulations is critical for drug delivery. When the drug needs to be kept in a capsule, one of the key requirements of the capsule is that it should be designed to not be solvent-sensitive so that the contents of the capsule can be properly delivered without changing.