Methyl ethyl ketone flash point

The next most common ketone is methyl ethyl ketone, commonly referred to as MEK. Its molecular formula is CH3COC2H5. MEK has a flash point of 24°F and an ignition temperature of 960" F. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic ketone odor. It is as widely used as acetone and is almost as hazardous. 

Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK boiling point 769.6°C, density 0.8062, flash point -6°C) is an important coating solvent for many polymers and is made by the sulfation and hydration of 1 or 2-butene to sec-butyl alcohol, which is then dehydrogenated to the ketone (Fig. 1). 

METHYL ETHYL KETONE (78-93-3) Forms explosive mixture with air (flash point 30°F/—1°C also reported at 16°F/—9°C). Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, aldehydes, nitric acid, perchloric acid, potassium teri-butoxide, oleum. Incompatible with inorganic acids, aliphatic amines, ammonia, caustics, isocyanates, pyridines, chlorosulfonic acid. Able to form unstable peroxides in storage, or on contact with 2-propanol or hydrogen peroxide. Attacks some plastics. Flow or agitation of substance may generate electrostatic charges due to low conductivity. 

Conventional oil-based inks contain aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene or xylene, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane or kerosene, ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, esters such as ethyl acetate, or solvents such as propylene glycol mono methyl ether acetate. The problems with such inks are that their fast drying time due to low boiling points or flash points are likely to clog up the nozzle. 

---