Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is a colorless liquid with a sweet, sharp smell. It's commonly used as a solvent in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings, and vinyl films. Here are some specific uses of butanone:
- 1. Manufacturing of Plastics and Textiles: Butanone is used in the production of plastics and textiles. It's used in the manufacture of acrylic sheets and to dissolve glues and resins.
- 2. Paints and Coatings: It's a common solvent in paint and varnish, where it's used in lacquers, varnishes, paint removers, and as a cleaning agent for industrial equipment.
- 3. Adhesives: Butanone is used as a bonding agent; it's used in the adhesive industry for gluing together materials that are hard to bond.
- 4. Printing Inks: In the printing industry, butanone is used as a solvent for printing inks.
- 5. Cleaning Processes: Because of its strong dissolving power, butanone is used in cleaning processes in the electronic industry, and for cleaning precision instruments.
- 6. Chemical Intermediate: Butanone is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds.
It's important to note that exposure to
butanone should be limited, as it can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract, and prolonged exposure may have more serious health effects.
