Industrial chemicals · Taylor, TXTechnical Data Sheet
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Technical Grade
Technical
- CAS number
- 78-93-3
- UN number
- UN1193
- Hazard class · packing group
- 3 · PG II
- Structure
Structure · PubChem - Grade
- Technical
- Signal word
- Danger
- Hazards
- Proper shipping name
- Ethyl methyl ketone or methyl ethyl ketone
Identity & Composition
- Product Name
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Technical Grade
- Alliance Code
- methyl-ethyl-ketone-mek
- Grade
- Technical
- Concentration
- —
- CAS Number
- 78-93-3PubChem
- Formula
- C4H8OPubChem
- Molecular Weight
- 72.11PubChem
- Product Type
- Pure substance
Specifications
| Test | Specification | Typical | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.5 % m/m min. | 99.92 % m/m | ASTM D2804 | Interpreted |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | 0.003 wt% max | 0.00047 wt% | ASTM D1613 | Interpreted |
| Color (Pt-Co) | 10 max | 3 | ASTM D5386 / ASTM D1209 | Interpreted |
| Distillation, DP | 80.5 °C max. | 79.9 °C | ASTM D1078 | Interpreted |
| Distillation, IBP | 79.0 °C min. | 79.5 °C | ASTM D1078 | Interpreted |
| Non-volatile residue | 2 mg/100ml max | 0.29 mg/100ml | ASTM D1353 | Interpreted |
| Total Alcohols | 0.5 %m/m max. | 0.0 %m/m | ASTM D2804 | Interpreted |
| Water | 0.05 % m/m max. | 0.01 % m/m | ASTM D1364 | Interpreted |
| Ethyl acetate | 0.15 mass % max | 0.025 mass % | — | Interpreted |
| Acetone | 0.1 mass % max | 0.022 mass % | — | Interpreted |
Values are reproduced from the current product reference. Source labels do not by themselves establish a supplier guarantee or a test result for your lot. Confirm applicable acceptance limits and request lot-specific documentation.
Available GradesSame CAS, alternate grades and concentrations
| Grade | Concentration | Typical Assay | SKU | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This grade Technical | — | — | current | current |
| ACS Grade | — | — | methyl-ethyl-ketone-mek-acs-grade | View TDS → |
Typical assay shown is the rolling-window mean from the sibling product's most recent lots. Grade selection drives downstream end-use — verify the sibling grade matches your specification before substitution.
Physical & Chemical Properties
One or more physical-property values are temporarily suppressed pending verification against vendor COA data. For complete properties refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or contact sales@alliancechemical.com.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colorless, volatile liquid | Adjudicated |
| Form | Liquid | Published reference |
| Odor | Characteristic sweet, acetone-like odor | Adjudicated |
| Specific Gravity | 0.805–0.806 at 20 °C (water = 1) | Adjudicated |
| Density | 0.805 g/cm³ at 20 °C | Adjudicated |
| Boiling Point | 79.6 °C (175.3 °F) at 760 mmHg | Adjudicated |
| Melting Point | -86 °C (-123 °F) | Adjudicated |
| Flash Point | -9 to -6 °C (16 to 21 °F), closed cup | Adjudicated |
| Vapor Pressure | 78 mmHg (10.5 kPa) at 20 °C | Adjudicated |
| Vapor Density | 2.41–2.5 (air = 1) | Adjudicated |
| Solubility (water) | 290 g/L in water at 20 °C (partly miscible) | Adjudicated |
| Viscosity | 0.40–0.42 mPa·s at 15–20 °C | Adjudicated |
Polar solvent — purity vs. intended end-use (electronics, pharma, general industrial) is the dominant grade consideration. See application guidance for grade selection.
Materials of ConstructionService envelope ≈ 100%
| Material | Rating | Max T (°C) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Buna-N (NBR) elastomer | Fair | 60 | Acceptable for alcohols; poor for ketones. | Parker O-ring Chemical Compatibility |
EPDM elastomer | Fair | — | Good for alcohols, poor for esters | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
Viton (FKM) elastomer | Fair | 80 | Swells in acetone and esters; avoid for those. | Parker O-ring Chemical Compatibility |
FFKM (Kalrez) fluoropolymer | Excellent | 200 | Premium ester / ketone sealing | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
PTFE fluoropolymer | Excellent | 200 | Universal solvent compatibility. | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
Borosilicate Glass glass ceramic | Excellent | 100 | Universally inert. | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
316L Stainless Steel metal | Excellent | 80 | Inert; preferred for high-purity solvent service. | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
Aluminium metal | Good | 40 | Acceptable; avoid prolonged wet contact | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
Carbon Steel metal | Fair | 50 | Trace moisture causes rust; flash-rust prevention required. | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
HDPE thermoplastic | Fair | 40 | Swells with many polar solvents; verify per solvent. | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
PP thermoplastic | Good | 50 | Acceptable but watch swelling with esters | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
PVC thermoplastic | Fair | 25 | Esters soften PVC; avoid for esters | Cole-Parmer Chemical Compatibility |
Ratings reflect the service envelope (concentration × temperature) shown. Always confirm against your specific duty cycle and contact-time before equipment selection. The most cautious rating across overlapping references is shown.
Materials Selection Tool
Showing 12 of 12 material ratings within the selected envelope.
| Material | Rating | Max T (°C) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Buna-N (NBR) elastomer | Fair | 60 | Acceptable for alcohols; poor for ketones. |
EPDM elastomer | Fair | — | Good for alcohols, poor for esters |
Viton (FKM) elastomer | Fair | 80 | Swells in acetone and esters; avoid for those. |
FFKM (Kalrez) fluoropolymer | Excellent | 200 | Premium ester / ketone sealing |
PTFE fluoropolymer | Excellent | 200 | Universal solvent compatibility. |
Borosilicate Glass glass ceramic | Excellent | 100 | Universally inert. |
316L Stainless Steel metal | Excellent | 80 | Inert; preferred for high-purity solvent service. |
Aluminium metal | Good | 40 | Acceptable; avoid prolonged wet contact |
Carbon Steel metal | Fair | 50 | Trace moisture causes rust; flash-rust prevention required. |
HDPE thermoplastic | Fair | 40 | Swells with many polar solvents; verify per solvent. |
PP thermoplastic | Good | 50 | Acceptable but watch swelling with esters |
PVC thermoplastic | Fair | 25 | Esters soften PVC; avoid for esters |
Regulatory & Transport
DOT / 49 CFR
- UN Number
- UN119349 CFR 172.101
- Hazard Class
- 3Adjudicated
- Packing Group
- IIAdjudicated
- Proper Shipping Name
- Ethyl methyl ketone or methyl ethyl ketoneAdjudicated
GHS / OSHA HCS 2024
- Signal Word
- DangerAdjudicated
- H-Codes (Hazard Statements)
- H225, H319, H336, EUH066ECHA C&L Inventory
- P-Codes (Precautionary Statements)
- P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P271, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P337+P313, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501ECHA C&L Inventory
Occupational Exposure Limits
- OSHA PEL (29 CFR 1910.1000)
- 200 ppm TWAOSHA 29 CFR 1910.1000
- ACGIH TLV
- 200 ppm TWA / 300 ppm STELAdjudicated
- NIOSH REL
- 200 ppm TWA / 300 ppm STELNIOSH Pocket Guide
- NIOSH IDLH
- 3000 ppmNIOSH Pocket Guide
Transport descriptions reflect 49 CFR 172.101 lookup at time of publication. Sourced data: NIOSH Pocket Guide for REL/IDLH, OSHA Z-Tables for PEL. Always verify against the latest regulatory text before shipment-critical decisions.
Health & Fire Hazard
Acute Toxicology
- LD₅₀ Oral (rat)
- 2054–2737 mg/kgAdjudicated
- LD₅₀ Dermal (rabbit)
- 6480 mg/kgAdjudicated
- LC₅₀ Inhalation (rat, 4 h)
- 11700 ppmAdjudicated
Acute toxicology values from SDS Section 11 or NIOSH RTECS.
Supplier Qualification Packet
One zipped download containing the TDS, SDS, latest lot COA (when available), and a fresh Letter of Continuing Guaranty for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Technical Grade. Every file included is SHA-256 hashed and listed in a manifest your QA team can audit.
Catalog EquivalentsCross-reference vs major chemical suppliers
Sigma-Aldrich
| SKU | Grade | Conc. | Match | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 360473 | ACS Reagent | 99% | Unverified candidate | ACS Reagent ≥99% |
Cross-references are informational. Confirm against the manufacturer's current specification before substitution. Competitor trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Applications
- Solvent for natural and synthetic resins, giving solutions with low viscosity and high solids contentwurthmachinery.com
- Used widely as a solventlabdepotinc.com
Applications are drawn from published manufacturer and supplier documentation; each is sourced. Suitability for a specific use is the buyer's to confirm.
Storage & Handling
- Recommended Storage
- Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated flammables area away from heat, sparks and open flame. Hygroscopic: protect from moist air. Keep away from oxidizers. Ground and bond containers when transferring.Adjudicated
- Handling Precautions
- Use chemical-resistant gloves and splash goggles. Bond and ground during transfer to prevent static accumulation. Eliminate ignition sources within vapor envelope.Class-level guidance — not product-specific; the SDS controls.
- Incompatibilities
- Strong oxidizing agents, including hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid (violent reaction); strong acids such as sulfuric acid; strong bases and caustics; strong reducing agents; ammonia and amines; chloroform; copper. Attacks many plastics, resins and rubber.Adjudicated
- Shelf Life
- 12 monthswurthmachinery.comProvided proper storage and handling precautions are taken
For full hazard, PPE, and emergency response guidance, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product. The SDS controls in all cases where guidance differs.
Packaging & Logistics
Shipping Description (US DOT)
UN1193, Ethyl methyl ketone or methyl ethyl ketone, 3, PG II
Sourced from 49 CFR 172.101. Confirm against shipping documents and carrier requirements before tender.
Revision History
Last reviewed 2026-06-18 by Andre Taki, Chief Commercial Officer, DOT Hazmat–certified (49 CFR 172.704).
| Version | Date | Change | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 2026-10-13 | Canonical data updated: 4 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.5 | 2026-10-05 | Canonical data updated: 21 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.4 | 2026-09-30 | Canonical data updated: 4 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.3 | 2026-08-05 | Canonical data updated: 4 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.2 | 2026-07-22 | Canonical data updated: 2 fields changed via the provenance/adjudication pipeline.
| canonical_change |
| 1.1 | 2026-06-18 | Canonical data re-verified: 7 fields updated against independent vendor SDSs, CLP Annex VI, 49 CFR, and OSHA HazCom 2024 (GHS classification, hazard/precautionary codes, signal word, physical properties as applicable).
| canonical_change |
| 1.0 | 2026-05-20 | Initial URL-first TDS published from canonical chemistry registry. | initial |
This Technical Data Sheet is provided for technical reference. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) controls in all cases where guidance differs. Values reflect Alliance Chemical canonical data at time of generation; subsequent revisions are recorded in the Revision History above.