TAR — properties & hazards overview
Boiling range
~200–500 °C (wide, mixture)
Flash point
Typically ≥ 65 °C (varies)
Volatility
Low at ambient
Water solubility
Very low (immiscible)
Toxicity
PAHs; skin/respiratory
Flammability
Combustible when hot
Chronic risk
Carcinogenic PAHs
Environmental
Aquatic persistence
| Property | Value / Note |
|---|---|
| Composition | Complex mixture: heavy aromatics (PAHs), phenolics, resins, asphaltenes; batch/source dependent. |
| Physical state | Viscous liquid/semi-solid at ambient; fluid when heated (strong stickiness/fouling tendency). |
| Vapour pressure (20 °C) | Very low (odor from light ends/entrained aerosols). |
| Density (20 °C) | ≈ 1.05–1.25 g/cm³ (indicative; varies). |
| Odour | Smoky/phenolic; nuisance odour at very low concentrations. |
| Typical sources | Pyrolysis/gasification tars, coking by-products, asphalt/bitumen vapours, wood drying/kilns. |
*Values are indicative and may vary by source/batch. For safety and design, always verify via current SDS and local regulations.