Acetone

Acetone is miscible with water and serves as an important solvent in its own right, typically as the solvent of choice for cleaning purposes. Acetone is a good solvent for most plastics and synthetic fibers including those used in laboratory bottles made of polystyrene, polycarbonate and some types of polypropylene.[14] It is ideal for thinning fiberglass resin, cleaning fiberglass tools and dissolving two-part epoxies and superglue before hardening. It is used as a volatile component of some paints and varnishes. As a heavy-duty degreaser, it is useful in the preparation of metal prior to painting; it also thins polyester resins, vinyl and adhesives. It is also useful for high reliability soldering applications to remove solder rosin after soldering is complete. This helps to prevent the Rusty bolt effect from occurring due to dirty solder contacts. It is a Non-VOC solvent.

MEK

This colorless liquid ketone has a sharp, sweet odor reminiscent of butterscotch and acetone. MEK is an effective and common solvent[3] and is used in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films.[5] For this reason it finds use in the manufacture of plastics, textiles, in the production of paraffin wax, and in household products such as lacquer, varnishes, paint remover, a denaturing agent for denatured alcohol, glues, and as a cleaning agent. It has similar solvent properties to acetone but has a significantly slower evaporation rate.[6] Also known as Butanone, it is also used in dry erase markers as the solvent of the erasable dye.

MPK

MPK (Methyl n-Propyl Ketone) is a medium evaporating, urethane-grade solvent. It is an active solvent for most synthetic resins including acrylics, polyesters, cellulosics, epoxies, vinyls, and alkyds. Its high solvency, low density, and medium evaporation rate make it attractive as a letdown solvent for high-solids resins used in formulating coatings with low VOC content. From cleaning to pre-treatment, tests prove MPK is an effective non-HAP solvent alternative to MEK and Toluene. With a vapor pressure of 27.8 mm @ 20°C, well below the 45 mm limit allows for compliance to NESHAP (National Emission Standards for hazardous Air Pollutants) equirements for hand-wipe cleaning operations for aerospace. MPK satisfies the rigorous aerospace performance requirements. It evaporates more slowly than MEK solvent due to its larger molecule. This property allows for much of the solvent to remain on the wipe instead of emitting into the air and extends the useful life of the wipe. MPK can be used in pre-saturated wipes in the aerospace industry.

Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Carburetor cleaner
• Cleaners
• Coatings – OEM and Special Purpose
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Flux cleaner
• Gravure printing inks
• Letdown solvent for high-solid resins
• Light degreaser
• Metal prep for paint applications
• Parts cleaner
• Replacement for MEK and MIBK
• Toluene replacement blends
• Truck/Bus/Commercial Vehicles

Key Attributes

• Excellent solvent activity
• Low density
• Medium evaporation rate
• Meets Aerospace NESHAP compliance
• Non-HAP*
• Urethane grade** – Suitable for use with moisture-sensitive polymers

MIBK

Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) is a medium-evaporating solvent. It is an active solvent for many synthetic resins including cellulosics, vinyl copolymers, acrylics, alkyds, polyesters, and epoxies. It is very useful in developing high-solids coatings because of its combination of high solvent activity and low density. In addition to its use as a solvent for inks, coatings, and adhesives, MIBK is used as an extraction agent in the dewaxing and deoiling of petroleum products. It is also a useful component in germicides, fungicides, and electroplating solutions, and as a denaturant in many ethanol formulations.

Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Chemical intermediate for rubber antioxidants and specialty surfactants
• Coatings – OEM and Special Purpose
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Denaturant for ethyl alcohol
• Extraction agent for dewaxing and deoiling petroleum products
• Fungicides
• Germicides
• Gravure printing inks
• Truck/Bus/Commercial Vehicles

DIBK

DIBK (diisobutyl ketone) is a slow evaporating, low density solvent that has good solvency for many synthetic resins including nitrocellulose, rosin esters, phenolics, hydrocarbons, alkyds, polyesters, and acrylics. It is useful as a retarder solvent to improve flow and minimize humidity blushing.

Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Coalescing aid
• Coalescing aid for nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer emulsions
• Coatings – OEM and Special Purpose
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Roll-coating inks
• Truck/Bus/Commercial Vehicles
• Viscosity modifier in poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) organosols

Key Attributes

• Good solvent activity
• High blush resistance
• Low density
• Low surface tension
• Low water solubility
• Non-HAP
• Slow evaporation rate

MIAK

MIAK (Methyl Isoamyl Ketone) is useful as a polymerization solvent for high-solids acrylic resins. The high boiling point of MIAK (144° C) aids in the production of low molecular weight acrylic resins with narrow molecular weight distribution. MIAK has high solvent activity, slow evaporation rate, low density, low surface tension, and a high boiling point. These properties make MIAK a very good solvent for high-solids coatings. Because regulations limit the weight of solvent per gallon of coating, formulators favor the use of low-density solvents that help reduce the VOC content of a coating. MIAK is lower in density than ester, aromatic hydrocarbons, and glycol ether solvents with similar evaporation rates. The low density and high activity of MIAK are significant advantages when formulating low-viscosity, high-solids coatings

Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Coatings – OEM and Special Purpose
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Letdown solvent for high-solid resins
• Process solvent for high-solids acrylic resins
• Truck/Bus/Commercial Vehicles
• Xylene replacement blends

Key Attributes

• Excellent solvent activity
• Low density
• Low surface tension
• Non-HAP
• Slow evaporation rate
• Urethane grade: Suitable for use with moisture-sensitive polymers

MAK

MAK (Methyl n-Amyl Ketone) is useful as a polymerization solvent for high-solids acrylic resins. The high boiling point of MAK (150° C) aids in the production of low molecular weight acrylic resins with narrow molecular weight distribution. MAK has a high solvent activity, slow evaporation rate, low density, low surface tension, and high boiling point. These properties make MAK a very good solvent for high-solids coatings. Because regulations limit the weight of solvent per gallon of coating, formulators favor the use of low-density solvents that help reduce the VOC content of a coating. MAK is lower in density than ester, aromatic hydrocarbons, and glycol ether solvents with similar evaporation rates. The low density and high activity of MAK are significant advantages when formulating high-solids coatings to meet VOC guidelines. It is also a very good retarder solvent for cellulosic lacquers.

Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Coatings – OEM and Special Purpose
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Letdown solvent for high-solid resins
• Process solvent for high-solids acrylic resins
• Truck/Bus/Commercial Vehicles
• Xylene replacement blends

Key Attributes

• Excellent solvent activity
• Low density
• Low surface tension
• Non-HAP
• Slow evaporation rate
• Urethane grade: Suitable for use with moisture-sensitive polymers

TXIB

TXIB™ Formulation Additive is the lowest viscosity (9 cps) additive available to the flexible PVC industry. TXIB™ Formulation Additive is completely compatible with PVC in all proportions and is usually blended with general-purpose plasticizers such as DOP or DOTP. The unique low viscosity makes this material particularly suitable for PVC plastisols and often allows adding additional fillers to the plastisol, resulting in a cost savings. TXIB™ Formulation Additive has efficiency generally equal to DOP, which makes substitution in a vinyl formulation very easy. It imparts a dry surface to the vinyl, excellent resistance to staining, and physical properties equivalent to DOP. TXIB™ Formulation Additive is also used in inks, coatings, urethane elastomers, and nail polish lacquers.
Applications/Uses

• Automotive OEM
• Coatings for Automotive Plastics
• Lithographic and letterpress oil-based inks
• Nail care
• Phthalate-free diluent for MEKP formulations
• Plastisols
• Sheet vinyl flooring
• Toys/Sporting goods
• Traffic cones
• Vinyl compounding
• Vinyl gloves
• Wall coverings

Diacetone Alcohol

It is used in cellulose ester lacquers, particularly of the brushing type, where it produces brilliant gloss and hard film and where its lack of odor is desirable. It is used in lacquer thinners, dopes, wood stains, wood preservatives and printing pastes; in coating compositions for paper and textiles; permanent markers [4]; in making artificial silk and leather; in imitation gold leaf; in celluloid cements; as a preservative for animal tissue; in metal cleaning compounds; in the manufacture of photographic film; and in hydraulic brake fluids, where it is usually mixed with an equal volume of castor oil.

Cyclohexanone

This colorless oil has an odor reminiscent of peardrop sweets as well as acetone. Over time, samples assume a yellow color due to oxidation. Cyclohexanone is slightly soluble in water (5-10 g/100 mL), but miscible with common organic solvents