cm-s2957 #CAS60238-56-4

cm-s2957 #CAS60238-56-4

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), also known as 2-Butanone, is an important organic chemical raw material and industrial solvent with the molecular formula C₄H₈O, molecular weight 72.11, and CAS No. 78-93-3. As one of the most widely used aliphatic ketones, MEK is valued for its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and broad compatibility with numerous organic materials. It is extensively used in coatings, inks, adhesives, resins, electronic chemicals, petroleum refining, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and chemical synthesis industries, making it one of the most important industrial solvents in the global market.

Under normal temperature and pressure, Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a colorless, transparent liquid with a characteristic odor similar to acetone. It possesses excellent fluidity and a relatively fast evaporation rate, allowing it to dissolve a wide variety of natural and synthetic resins effectively. Its evaporation rate falls between that of acetone and ethyl acetate, providing an ideal balance between drying speed and working time in industrial applications. MEK is completely miscible with many organic solvents, including ethanol, isopropanol, diethyl ether, benzene, toluene, and xylene. It also exhibits moderate solubility in water, making it a versatile component in numerous industrial formulations.

From a physical standpoint, Methyl Ethyl Ketone has a melting point of approximately -86.3°C and a boiling point of approximately 79.6°C. Its density at 20°C is about 0.805 g/cm³, and its refractive index is approximately 1.3788. The vapor density is about 2.42 times that of air, and its relatively high vapor pressure contributes to its rapid evaporation under ambient conditions. MEK has a flash point of approximately -9°C and an auto-ignition temperature of about 404°C, classifying it as a highly flammable liquid. Therefore, proper storage and handling procedures are essential, including keeping it away from heat sources, sparks, open flames, and strong oxidizing agents while ensuring adequate ventilation.

Application of cm-s2957

Chemically, MEK contains a reactive carbonyl group that enables it to participate in a variety of organic reactions, including reduction, oxidation, addition, and condensation reactions. Under suitable conditions, it can be reduced to secondary butanol or oxidized to corresponding carboxylic compounds. MEK also serves as a key raw material in the production of Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (MEKP), a widely used curing agent for unsaturated polyester resins and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) products.

Due to its outstanding solvency and favorable evaporation characteristics, MEK is extensively utilized in the coatings industry. It effectively dissolves nitrocellulose, acrylic resins, vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, and various natural resins. As a result, it is commonly used in automotive coatings, industrial protective coatings, wood finishes, and architectural paints. The incorporation of MEK into coating formulations helps improve leveling properties, adhesion, drying performance, and overall coating quality.

In the adhesive industry, MEK serves as an important solvent in the manufacture of chloroprene rubber adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, and contact cements. Its balanced evaporation rate enables rapid bond formation while maintaining sufficient open time for application. Consequently, it is widely employed in footwear manufacturing, furniture production, packaging materials, construction, and automotive interior applications.

The printing ink industry is another major consumer of Methyl Ethyl Ketone. Owing to its excellent resin solvency and controlled evaporation rate, MEK is commonly used in gravure inks, flexographic inks, and packaging printing inks. It contributes to faster drying, improved printing efficiency, enhanced gloss, and better adhesion to various substrates.

Within the electronics industry, MEK is frequently used as a high-performance cleaning solvent for printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic components, and precision mechanical equipment. Its rapid evaporation and low residue characteristics make it particularly suitable for applications requiring high cleanliness standards and precision manufacturing processes.

The petroleum and petrochemical industries also rely heavily on MEK. In lubricant manufacturing, MEK is often combined with toluene and other solvents for dewaxing operations, improving the low-temperature flow properties of lubricating oils. Additionally, it is used in paraffin purification and various petroleum refining processes.

In the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine chemical sectors, MEK functions not only as an efficient reaction medium but also as a valuable intermediate in the synthesis of numerous products. It is widely employed in the production of pharmaceutical intermediates, pesticide intermediates, fragrances, dyes, and other specialty chemicals, supporting a broad range of modern chemical manufacturing processes.

Basic Information

Physical Properties

Chemical Properties

Synonyms

Fact Factory and Equipment Show