MAPP gas was atrademarked name, belonging toThe Linde Group, a division of the former global chemical giantUnion Carbide, for afuel gas based on a stabilized mixture ofmethylacetylene (propyne),propadiene andpropane. The name comes from the original chemical composition,methylacetylene-propadienepropane. "MAPP gas" is also widely used as a generic name forUN 1060 stabilised methylacetylene-propadiene (unstabilised methylacetylene-propadiene is known as MAPD).
MAPP gas was widely regarded as a safer and easier-to-use substitute foracetylene, but, early in 2008, its production was discontinued at the only remaining plant in North America that still manufactured it. However, there are many MAPP substitutes on the market, often labeled "MAPP", "MAP-X" or "MAP-Plus" but containing mostlypropylene with some propane and in some cases alsodimethyl ether.[1][2][3][4]
Genuine MAPP gas can be used in combination withoxygen for heating,soldering,brazing and evenwelding because of its highflame temperature of 2925 °C (5300 °F) in oxygen. Although acetylene has a higher flame temperature (3160 °C, 5720 °F), MAPP has the advantage that it requires neither dilution nor special container fillers during transport, allowing a greater volume of fuel gas to be transported at the same given weight, and it is much safer in use.
A MAPP/oxygen flame is not entirely appropriate for weldingsteel, due to the high concentration ofhydrogen in the flame – higher than acetylene, but lower than any of the other petroleum fuel gases. The hydrogen infuses into the molten steel andrenders the welds brittle. For small-scale welding with MAPP this is not a serious problem, as the hydrogen escapes readily, and MAPP/oxygen can in practice be used for welding small steel parts.
MAPP/oxygen was advantageously used in underwater cutting, which requires high gas pressures (under such pressures acetylene can decompose explosively, making it dangerous to use[5]). However, underwater oxy/fuel gas cutting of any kind has been largely replaced byexothermic cutting[6] because it cuts more quickly and safely.
MAPP gas is also used in combustion with air for brazing and soldering, where it has a slight advantage over competingpropane fuel because of its higher combustion temperature of 2,020 °C (3,670 °F) in air.
The biggest disadvantage of MAPP gas is cost; it is typically one-and-a-half times as expensive as propane at the refinery, and up to four times as expensive to the consumer. It is no longer used much in any large-scale industry – for larger scale users acetylene/oxygen is more economic than MAPP/oxygen when high flame temperatures are needed, and propane/air is more economic when big overall heating is needed.
However, for the small-scale user a MAPP/oxygen flame is still highly desirable, having higher flame temperatures and energy densities than any flame other than acetylene/oxygen, but without the dangers and inconveniences of acetylene/oxygen. Jewellers, glassbead makers, and many others find it very useful. Plumbers, refrigeration and HVAC engineers and other tradesmen also value the high heat capacity of the MAPP/air flame; MAPP was until recently widely used, supplied in small to medium size containers.
Blowtorches are used to brown and sear food cooked by low-temperaturesous-vide techniques. Myhrvold recommends inModernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking that MAPP gases should be used in preference to cheaper butane or propane as they produce higher temperatures with less risk of giving the food a gas flavour, as can happen with incompletely combusted gas.[7]
MAPP is colorless in both liquid and gas form. The gas has a pronounced acetylene-like or fishy odor at concentrations above 100ppm, due to the addition of substituted amines as a polymerization inhibitor. Low molecular weight alkynes have strong odors. MAPP gas istoxic if inhaled at high concentrations.
The composition of the supplied gas has varied widely, with the gases as supplied by different repackagers/resellers at any one time varying, as well as the general composition varying over time, but a typical composition for an early Dow gas might be:methylacetylene (propyne) 48%,propadiene 23%,propane 27%. For a later Dow/Petromont gas propyne 30%, propadiene 14%, propylene 43%, propane 7%, C4H10 (isobutane,butane) 6% might be more typical.
MAPP has an energy content of 21000 BTU/lb (13.57 kWh/kg) while acetylene's energy content is 25000 BTU/lb (16.15 kWh/kg).[8]
People can be exposed to MAPP gas or its substitutes in the workplace by inhaling the gas or skin/eye contact with the liquid. TheOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set thelegal limit for MAPP gas exposure in the workplace as 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m3) over an 8-hour workday. TheNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set arecommended exposure limit (REL) of 1000 ppm (1800 mg/m3) over an 8-hour workday and 1250 ppm (2250 mg/m3) for short-term exposure. At levels of 3400 ppm, 10% of the lower explosive limit, MAPP gas isimmediately dangerous to life and health.[9]