Properties of Glycerol (C23H8O3)
Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting organic compound. It is commonly used in various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals, as a humectant (to retain moisture), a sweetener, and in skincare products due to its moisturizing properties.
The following table provides a comprehensive list of glycerol properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Molar Mass | 92.094 g/mol |
| Density | 1261 kg/m3 |
| Dynamic Viscosity | 1459 mPa·s |
| Surface Tension | 63.4 mN/m |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 17.9 °C |
| Boiling Point | 290 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.2916 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αV) | 5.2×10-4 1/°C |
| Vapor Pressure (50°C) | 0.4 Pa |
| Critical Constants | Metric |
| Critical Temperature (Tc) | 577 °C |
| Critical Pressure (Pc) | 7.6 MPa |
| Critical Molar Volume (Vc) | 255 cm3/mol |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Relative Permittivity (εr) | 46.53 |
| Optical Properties | Metric |
| Refractive Index (589 nm) | 1.4746 |
| Hazardous Data | Metric |
| Flash Point | 199 °C |
| Autoignition Temperature | 370 °C |
| Lower Flammability Limit | 3% |
| Upper Flammability Limit | 19% |
| NFPA Rating (Health) | 1 |
| NFPA Rating (Fire) | 1 |
| NFPA Rating (Reactivity) | 0 |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) Yaws, Carl L. The Yaws Handbook of Physical Properties for Hydrocarbons and Chemicals. Netherlands: Elsevier Science, 2015. 4) Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials, 14th Edition. United States: National Fire Protection Association, 2010.