Liquids - Vapor Pressures

Vapor and saturation pressure for some common liquids. The vapor pressure of a liquid is defined as the pressure exerted by the molecules that escape from the liquid to form a separate vapor phase above the liquid surface.

Vapor Pressure Reference

The vapor pressure of a liquid is the pressure exerted by molecules that escape from the liquid to form a separate vapor phase above the liquid surface.

Key Information

  • Vapor or saturation pressure depends on temperature
  • For solutions with multiple components:
    • Higher vapor pressure components are called light components
    • Lower vapor pressure components are called heavy components

Common Saturation Temperatures at Atmospheric Pressure

  • Water: 100°C (212°F)
  • Ethyl alcohol: 78.5°C (173°F)

Data Reference

The vapor pressure table below shows approximate values for temperatures in the range 20°C - 25°C (68°F - 77°F).

Conversion: 1 kPa = 103 Pa = 0.145 psi

Fluid NameVapor Pressure (kPa)
Acetaldehyde120
Acetic acid2.1
Acetic acid anhydride0.68
Acetone30
Allyl alcohol2.3
Allyl chloride40
Aluminum nitrate, 10% solution in water2.4
Aluminum sulphate, 10% solution in water2.4
Amyl acetate0.47
Aniline0.09
Beer2.4
Benzene14
Benzyl alcohol0.013
Bromine28
Butyl acetate1.5
Butyl alcohol, 1-butanol0.93
Butyric acid n0.43
Calcium chloride, 25% solution in water2.4
Calcium chloride, 5% solution in water2.4
Carbon disulphide48
Carbon tetrachloride15.3
Chloroform26
Cyclohexanol0.9
Cyclohexanone0.67
Ethyl acetate14
Ethyl alcohol12.4
Ethyl glycol0.7
Ethylene glycol0.007
Formic acid5.7
Furfurol, 2-Furaldehyde0.3
Heptane6
Hexane17.6
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)4.4
Kerosene0.7
Methyl acetate28.8
Methyl alcohol, methanol16.9
Methylene chloride, dichloromethane58
Milk2.4
Nitrobenzene0.03
Nonane0.6
Octane1.9
Pentane58
Phenol0.05
Propanol2.8
Propionic acid0.47
Sea water2.4
Sodium chloride, 25% solution in water2.4
Sodium hydroxide, 20% solution in water2.4
Sodium hydroxide, 30% solution in water2.4
Styrene0.85
Tetrachloroethane0.7
Tetrachloroethylene2.5
Toluene3.8
Trichloroethylene9.2
Water2.4
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Results

Pressure in Pascal-- Pa
Pressure in PSI-- psi