FAQ

Yes, all customers must register before placing orders on our site. Create your account here. We require basic company information, shipping address, contact details, and tax exempt status. Each account is subject to approval by our team — you will be notified once your account is active.

Yes. You can call J.R. Hess customer service directly at 800-828-4277 to place an order.

Yes. We understand some customers require a formal quote before purchasing. Please contact us to submit your request.

All major credit cards are accepted online and by phone. Payment on terms may be available for certain customers — contact us to inquire.

Currently, we sell only to commercial or institutional buyers. Orders must be shipped to a commercial address, and a valid sales tax exemption for the applicable location is required.

Yes. In certain cases we can provide discounts for educational institutions or nonprofit organizations purchasing products for 3D printing and additive manufacturing labs. Please contact us to inquire.

Yes. We supply most products in drums and totes. Please contact us to request larger volume pricing and availability.

Yes. Larger volumes, including drums and totes, may be purchased at a reduced rate — contact us to get set up.

Yes. In some cases we supply bulk quantities to qualified resellers. Please contact us to explore wholesale and distribution options.

All products ship directly from our warehouse in Cranston, RI.

Orders typically ship within 1–3 business days. Transit time depends on your location via UPS ground shipping.

Due to regulatory requirements, our supply chain is optimized around UPS ground shipping, which ensures lower costs and reliable transit times. If you need to use your own shipping account, a different carrier, or expedited shipping, please contact us to discuss options.

We currently ship to customers in the contiguous US and Canada. For other international inquiries, please contact us to see if we can assist.

Please refer to our Returns & Refund Policy for full details.

The right solvent depends on your printer platform and resin type:

Sta-Sol TPM is compatible with the widest range of photopolymer resins and washing equipment, including Formlabs Form Wash systems and most ultrasonic and parts washing machines. It is Formlabs’ recommended solvent for the majority of their resin lineup. Note: TPM has not been certified for use with Formlabs biocompatible resins — follow Formlabs’ Instructions for Use for those applications.

Sta-Sol DPM is approved by Carbon for use in their Smart Washer and is compatible with most Carbon DLP resins, including EPU 40, EPX 82, RPU 60/70/130, and others. A brief 10-second IPA dunk after washing is recommended to displace residual DPM. Note: only 99% purity DPM is compatible with Carbon’s washer — lower purities will not function correctly.

Sta-Sol Propylene Carbonate is well-suited for stereolithography (SL) parts and is compatible with most parts washers and ultrasonic systems.

Not sure which solvent fits your setup? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

All three are effective, low-flammability alternatives to IPA for cleaning uncured photopolymer resins. The right choice depends on your printer platform, workflow speed, and safety requirements.

Sta-Sol TPM is the lowest-volatility option, with the highest flash point and a non-hazardous GHS classification. It evaporates slowly, extends solvent bath life, and is well-suited for facilities with strict VOC or fire-safety requirements. It is Formlabs’ recommended solvent for most of their resin lineup.

Sta-Sol DPM evaporates faster than TPM, making it better suited for higher-throughput environments where quicker cycle times and easier rinsing are priorities. It is Carbon’s approved solvent for their Smart Washer and DLP resin systems. It is classified as a combustible liquid, but presents significantly less fire risk than IPA.

Sta-Sol Propylene Carbonate is a VOC-free, biodegradable solvent well-suited for stereolithography (SL) resin cleaning. It is compatible with most parts washers and ultrasonic systems and is a strong option where environmental profile is a priority.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison of TPM and DPM, see our full article: DPM vs. TPM — Which Solvent Is Right for You?

Not sure which fits your process? Contact us and we’ll help you decide.

We sell high-purity specialty solvents under the Sta-Sol brand, formulated for resin-based 3D printing and additive manufacturing applications:

Sta-Sol TPM — tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. View product →
Sta-Sol DPM — dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether. View product →
Sta-Sol Propylene Carbonate — high-purity propylene carbonate. View product →

Yes. SDS documents and technical specifications are available for download on each product page.

Specialty solvents such as propylene glycol ethers and propylene carbonate are produced by major chemical manufacturers. John R. Hess & Company, Inc. is a supplier of high-purity versions of these chemicals. We manage materials to strict specifications, repackaged at our facility under ISO 9001:2015 quality controls and the Responsible Distribution program. We have served customers in the specialty solvent segment for nearly 60 years.

TPM (flash point ~255°F / 124°C) and Propylene Carbonate (flash point ~275°F / 135°C) are both classified as non-flammable under standard conditions.

DPM (flash point ~167°F / 75°C) is classified as a combustible liquid but is not considered a flammable material — it presents significantly less fire risk than IPA or acetone.

By comparison, IPA has a flash point near room temperature (~53°F / 12°C), meaning it generates flammable vapor under normal operating conditions. This can create regulatory challenges for procurement and use within facilities, and contributes to higher operating costs through rapid evaporation and frequent replacement.

Yes. All of our solvents meet readily biodegradable standards in accordance with OECD 301 test methods, meaning they break down efficiently under standard environmental conditions.

Always comply with waste disposal regulations in your area. These solvents are classified as solid solvent waste and must never be disposed of down a drain or into sewers or groundwater. On their own, they are not classified as hazardous waste.

However, once saturated with other components — such as dissolved printing resins — the waste profile may change. You must consult a licensed waste contractor to assess and dispose of accordingly. We recommend keeping spent solvent with resin in a designated waste container and maintaining up-to-date SDS sheets for each component.

Consult your resin manufacturer for additional guidance. See also our disposal guide.

Yes. Each solvent is miscible with the others. If you’re looking for an optimized blend for your application, please contact us — we’re happy to assist.

Yes. All Sta-Sol solvents are water soluble and water rinsible. However, whether water is appropriate in your rinse process depends on the resin — consult your resin manufacturer to confirm suitability. Many parts washing machines also incorporate a secondary water rinse step and will guide you based on your solvent and resin combination.

In some cases, a secondary rinse with IPA may be needed to remove solvent residue. While IPA may not be ideal as a primary solvent — due to flammability concerns, part absorption, or part degradation — it is effective as a secondary rinse because it removes residue and then flashes off, leaving a clean surface. In other cases, a simple water rinse or a surfactant-containing formulation will work. Always consult your resin supplier or machine manufacturer to determine the best approach for your materials and application.

Most industrial solvents in this category carry a stated shelf life of two years. We recommend replacing unused solvent after 6 months to preserve effectiveness and ensure safe storage. Store in tightly closed containers under normal indoor conditions. While these solvents evaporate slowly compared to highly volatile solvents like IPA, they will still evaporate if left in open containers and may absorb moisture from the air.

Longevity depends on the resins being cleaned, saturation rate, and cleaning method (e.g. ultrasonic, parts washing system, manual bath). Some manufacturer guidelines:

Formlabs: TPM can dissolve roughly three times the resin load of IPA before losing efficacy. Replace when parts show a residual resin film after washing. A two-stage wash process is recommended to extend solvent life. Note: the hydrometer included with the Form Wash is not calibrated for TPM — use a hydrometer rated for a specific gravity of 0.962–1.000; replace when readings exceed 1.000. See Formlabs’ full guidance here.

Carbon: DPM can typically accommodate approximately 150 washes, though actual results vary by resin type, part geometry, and surface area. Monitor solvent effectiveness regularly and test as needed.

We make it easy to reorder so you always have fresh solvent on hand.

In many cases, resins can be filtered out of the solvent until the saturation point makes it less effective. Some users cure photopolymer resins remaining in the solvent to make separation and filtration easier. Check with your parts washer manufacturer for guidance, as some recycling systems offer specific parameters for these solvents.

Note: DPM is not compatible with distillation per Carbon’s guidelines. High-boiling-point solvents are generally difficult to distill safely, so filtration is the more practical recovery method.

Using slow-evaporation solvents is itself an advantage — they last significantly longer than IPA or similar materials, which simply vaporize.

Evaporation rates and all other physical properties are listed on each product’s Technical Data Sheet and in the additional info tabs on the product pages.

Yes. We can provide samples in certain cases for testing purposes. If you need a small amount for ongoing use, we also offer liter and gallon purchase options for each product.