CAS 78-93-3 · Solvent
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
2-Butanone · C₄H₈O · MW 72.11 g/mol
MEK is a fast-evaporating ketone solvent widely used in coatings, adhesives, and printing inks. Its balance of solvency power, evaporation rate, and low cost makes it one of the most versatile industrial solvents available. Texas-Chem supplies MEK in drums, totes, and bulk to manufacturers across Texas.
Formula
C₄H₈O
Boiling Point
79.6 °C
Solubility
Partially water-miscible
Pack Sizes
Drums · Totes · Bulk
Structural Formula
Skeletal formula — asymmetric ketone with methyl and ethyl groups flanking the carbonyl
Safety & Regulatory
- NFPA Health
- 1 — Slight hazard
- NFPA Flammability
- 3 — Serious hazard
- NFPA Reactivity
- 0 — Stable
- OSHA PEL (TWA)
- 200 ppm (590 mg/m³)
- ACGIH TLV (TWA)
- 200 ppm
- IDLH
- 3,000 ppm
- DOT Hazard Class
- 3 — Flammable Liquid
- UN Number
- UN 1193
- Packing Group
- II
SDS available upon request. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet before handling.
Grades & Packaging
Available Grades
Pack Sizes
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₈O |
| Molecular Weight | 72.11 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 78-93-3 |
| Boiling Point | 79.6 °C (175.3 °F) |
| Melting Point | −86.7 °C (−124.1 °F) |
| Flash Point | −9 °C (16 °F) — Flammable |
| Density | 0.805 g/cm³ at 20 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 10.5 kPa at 20 °C |
| Solubility in Water | 27.5 g/100 mL at 20 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.3788 at 20 °C |
| Auto-ignition Temp. | 404 °C (759 °F) |
| Explosive Limits | 1.8% – 11.5% (v/v in air) |
Industrial Applications
Coatings & Lacquers
Primary solvent in nitrocellulose and vinyl lacquers, polyurethane coatings, and industrial enamels. Faster evaporation than toluene improves throughput.
Adhesives
Used in contact cements, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and laminating adhesives for footwear, automotive, and packaging industries.
Printing Inks
Carrier solvent in gravure and flexographic inks for flexible packaging, providing fast drying and good pigment dispersion.
Magnetic Tape & Film
Solvent for binder resins in magnetic recording media and photographic film base manufacturing.
Chemical Synthesis
Intermediate in production of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), and other downstream chemicals.
Dewaxing
Used in petroleum refining to dewax lubricating oils, improving low-temperature flow properties.
Why Source MEK from Texas-Chem?
- 35+ years supplying industrial solvents to Texas manufacturers
- Industrial, ACS, and HPLC grades stocked for immediate delivery
- Flexible packaging from 55-gal drums to bulk tanker
- Competitive pricing backed by top-tier producer relationships
- Technical support and SDS documentation with every order
- Same-day quotes for standard quantities