n-Butyl acetate is an important solvent in the paints industry on account
of its versatility. It is an excellent solvent for cellulose nitrate, resins and
polymers and for oils and fats. Its moderate volatility and its resistance to
blushing and levelling problems such as orange peel effects make it possible
for paints with excellent levelling and gloss to be formulated. n-Butyl acetate
is often employed in combination with n-butanol in paints, because
n-butanol enhances the resistance to blushing and increases the solvency
in many cases. n-Butanol cannot be used in paint systems that have to be
free of hydroxyl groups, such as isocyanate paints.
Because of its low water absorption, its high resistance to hydrolysis and
its high solvency, n-butyl acetate can also be employed as an extractant
in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations and as an ingredient of
cleaners, essences and fragrances.