Difference between revisions of "Methyl ethyl ketone"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A colorless liquid [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=solvent solvent] with an acetone-like odor. Methyl ethyl ketone, or MEK, is used as a solvent for [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose nitrate cellulose nitrate] lacquers, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=vinyl resin vinyl] films, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=acrylic resin acrylic] coatings, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=ink inks], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=alkyd resin alkyd] ([http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Glyptal Glyptal]) resins. It is also used as a component in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=paint remover paint removers] and dry cleaning fluids. MEK does not dissolve [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose acetate cellulose acetate] or most [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=wax waxes].
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A colorless liquid [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=solvent solvent] with an acetone-like odor. Methyl ethyl ketone, or MEK, is used as a solvent for [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose%20nitrate cellulose nitrate] lacquers, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=vinyl%20resin vinyl] films, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=acrylic%20resin acrylic] coatings, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=ink inks], and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=alkyd%20resin alkyd] ([http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Glyptal Glyptal]) resins. It is also used as a component in [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=paint%20remover paint removers] and dry cleaning fluids. MEK does not dissolve [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=cellulose%20acetate cellulose acetate] or most [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=wax waxes].
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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== Authority ==
 
== Authority ==
  
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966  Comment: acts well on cellulose acetate
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* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966  Comment: acts well on cellulose acetate
  
* Reed Kay, Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
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* Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  
* Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
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* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  
* Richard S. Lewis, Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993  Comment: does not dissolve cellulose acetate and most waxes
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* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993  Comment: does not dissolve cellulose acetate and most waxes
  
* Michael McCann, Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
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* Michael McCann, ''Artist Beware'', Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  
* Random House, Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
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* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983  Comment: entry 6149; ref. index=1.379
 
* ''The Merck Index'', Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983  Comment: entry 6149; ref. index=1.379

Revision as of 06:31, 24 July 2013

Description

A colorless liquid solvent with an acetone-like odor. Methyl ethyl ketone, or MEK, is used as a solvent for cellulose nitrate lacquers, vinyl films, acrylic coatings, inks, and alkyd (Glyptal) resins. It is also used as a component in paint removers and dry cleaning fluids. MEK does not dissolve cellulose acetate or most waxes.

Synonyms and Related Terms

2-butanone; MEK; ethyl methyl ketone; ethylmethyl ketone; 2-oxobutane; methyl acetone; methylethyl ketone

Chemical structure

Methyl ethyl ketone.jpg


Other Properties

Miscible with water, ethanol, ether, benzene and oils.

Composition CH3COCH2CH3
CAS 78-93-3
Melting Point -86.4
Density 0.805
Molecular Weight mol. wt.= 72.12
Refractive Index 1.379
Boiling Point 79.6

Hazards and Safety

Flammable. Flash point = -9C Dangerous fire risk. Explosive in limits air 2-10%. Toxic by inhalation. Skin contact causes dermatitis. Ingestion causes vomiting and abdominal pain.

LINK: International Chemical Safety Card

Comparisons

Properties of Common Solvents


Authority

  • R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966 Comment: acts well on cellulose acetate
  • Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
  • Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993 Comment: does not dissolve cellulose acetate and most waxes
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979
  • Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
  • The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 6149; ref. index=1.379
  • The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.377

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