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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
Cyclohexanone
Cyclohexanone is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a sharp, sweet, acetone-like odor. It is a cyclic ketone with the molecular formula C₆H₁₀O and a moderately high boiling point. Cyclohexanone is a key intermediate in the chemical industry, primarily used in the manufacture of nylon, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Its excellent solvency and chemical reactivity make it valuable for a wide range of industrial applications, including solvent use and chemical synthesis.
Di Acetone Alcohol
Di Acetone Alcohol (chemical name: 4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one) is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild acetone-like odor. It is a versatile organic solvent and intermediate widely used in the manufacture of coatings, adhesives, inks, and specialty chemicals. Di Acetone Alcohol exhibits excellent solvency for resins, oils, and fats, combined with moderate evaporation rate and low volatility compared to acetone, making it suitable for controlled drying applications. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in synthesis reactions and as a component in solvent blends to optimize performance and drying characteristics.
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.
Isophorone
Isophorone is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, ketone-like odor. Chemically classified as a cyclic α,β-unsaturated ketone (3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one), it is a solvent widely used in industrial applications. It has good solvency properties for resins, paints, coatings, and inks, combined with relatively slow evaporation compared to other ketones. Isophorone is miscible with many organic solvents and used extensively in manufacturing and chemical synthesis.
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.
Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone
Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone (MIBK) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic sharp, sweet odor. It is a versatile solvent widely used in industrial applications due to its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and chemical stability. MIBK is commonly utilized in coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and chemical synthesis.
Xylene
Xylene is a clear, colorless, flammable aromatic hydrocarbon solvent consisting of three isomers: ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene. It is widely utilized in various industries for its excellent solvency, chemical stability, and moderate evaporation rate. Xylene serves as a key raw material in chemical manufacturing and an effective solvent in coatings, adhesives, inks, and cleaning applications.
