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Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Ethyl Ketone, also known as Butanone, is a clear, colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor. It is a highly effective solvent widely used in industrial processes due to its excellent solvency, fast evaporation rate, and compatibility with a wide range of substances. MEK is commonly used in coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and cleaning formulations.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Primary Uses
- Coatings and Paints
- Solvent in lacquers, varnishes, and paints to improve application and drying.
- Enhances film formation and gloss.
- Adhesives and Sealants
- Used as a solvent in adhesives, particularly for bonding plastics and rubber.
- Printing Inks
- Serves as a solvent to improve ink flow and drying characteristics.
- Cleaning and Degreasing
- Effective solvent for cleaning metal surfaces and removing grease and oil.
Secondary Uses
- Chemical Intermediate
- Used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other chemicals.
- Laboratory Reagent
- Applied as a solvent in analytical and synthetic laboratory procedures.
- Plastics and Rubber Processing
- Utilized as a solvent in polymer coatings and rubber cements.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Butan-2-one
- Common/Trade Name: Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
- CAS Number: 78-93-3
- HS Code: 2914.12.00
- Synonyms: Butanone; MEK; Ethyl methyl ketone
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless; sharp, sweet, ketone-like odor
- Boiling Point: 79.6°C
- Melting Point: -86°C
- Flash Point: -4°C (closed cup)
- Density: 0.805 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility: Miscible with water and most organic solvents
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, Category 2; Serious eye irritation, Category 2
- Toxicity: Moderate toxicity; avoid ingestion and prolonged exposure
- Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL - 200 ppm; ACGIH TLV - 200 ppm
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources
- Container Type: Supplied in metal drums, plastic containers, or bulk tanks designed for flammable liquids
- Shelf Life: Stable under proper storage conditions for several years
- Handling Precautions: Use explosion-proof equipment; avoid inhalation and skin contact; wear appropriate PPE
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Complies with international chemical safety standards and regulations (e.g., REACH, OSHA)
- Listed on major chemical inventories worldwide
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
- Ecotoxicity: Low to moderate environmental impact
- Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and flame-resistant clothing recommended
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas; prevent vapor accumulation; ground and bond containers during transfer
- Storage Measures: Keep containers tightly closed and away from incompatible substances
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur
- Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with soap and water
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical assistance
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
- Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
- Special Precautions: Evacuate area; wear full protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Hazardous Combustion Products: May produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other toxic gases under fire conditions
Related products
Butanol
Butanol (also known as n-Butanol or Normal Butanol) is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, alcoholic odor. It is a four-carbon primary alcohol with the chemical formula C4H10O. Butanol is moderately soluble in water and miscible with many organic solvents. Its physical and chemical properties make it a versatile solvent and chemical intermediate. Butanol indicates a high purity grade often used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and chemical synthesis applications.
Ethoxy Propanol
Ethoxy Propanol, also known as Propylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (PnP), is a clear, colorless, low-viscosity solvent with a mild ether-like odor. It belongs to the family of glycol ethers and is miscible with water and most organic solvents. Ethoxy Propanol is widely valued for its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and compatibility with both polar and non-polar systems. It is extensively used in coatings, inks, cleaners, and chemical synthesis applications due to its balance of performance and safety.
Ink reducer (Ethanol)
Ink reducer (Ethanol) is a volatile, colorless liquid used to adjust the viscosity, flow, and drying time of printing inks. Composed primarily of high-purity ethanol (ethyl alcohol), it acts as a solvent or diluent in various ink systems—particularly in flexographic, gravure, and screen printing. This reducer enhances printability by improving ink transfer, leveling, and penetration into substrates. Ink reducers based on ethanol are fast-drying and widely compatible with alcohol-soluble and water-alcohol hybrid inks used in packaging, label printing, and paper conversion industries.
Methoxy Propanol Glycol Ether
Methoxy Propanol Glycol Ether, commonly known as PM Glycol Ether, is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild ether-like odor. It belongs to the glycol ether family and is widely used as a solvent in coatings, inks, cleaning products, and industrial applications due to its excellent solvency, low volatility, and favorable evaporation rate. PM Glycol Ether is miscible with water and many organic solvents, making it versatile for a broad range of formulations.
Methoxy Propyl Acetate
Methoxy Propyl Acetate is a clear, colorless liquid solvent with a mild fruity odor. It is an ester derived from methoxy propanol and acetic acid, widely used in coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning products due to its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and good compatibility with various resins. PMA offers low volatility and strong solvency for a broad range of materials, making it ideal for industrial and commercial applications.
Naphta Solvent
Naphta Solvent Kokosal, commonly known as Kokosal, is a petroleum-derived hydrocarbon solvent composed primarily of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range near 100°C. It is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic hydrocarbon odor. Kokosal is widely used as an industrial solvent due to its excellent solvency power, moderate evaporation rate, and compatibility with many resins, oils, and waxes. It is valued in applications such as coatings, adhesives, cleaning, and chemical synthesis.
Normal Butyl Acetate
Normal Butyl Acetate (n-Butyl Acetate) is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet, fruity odor. It is an ester formed by the reaction of acetic acid and n-butanol. Widely used as a solvent in various industries, it offers excellent solvency for many resins and coatings, making it a preferred choice in paints, adhesives, and inks. Its moderate evaporation rate contributes to good application properties.
Shellsol A
Shellsol A is a high-purity, low-aromatic, hydrocarbon solvent derived from petroleum refining processes. It is a clear, colorless liquid known for its excellent solvency power, low odor, and relatively low toxicity compared to other petroleum solvents. Shellsol A is widely used in coatings, inks, adhesives, and chemical processing where strong but controlled solvency is required. Its balanced evaporation rate and compatibility with various res ins and polymers make it a preferred choice in industrial and commercial applications.
