Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Substitute for MEK for solvent cure test
Q. Does anybody know a substitute for MEK / methyl ethyl ketone ?
The MEK is used for solvent cure test on powder coating according to Powder Coating Institute (PCI) Recommended Procedure #8 (solvent Cure Test).
I heard that this solvent (MEK) produces cancer. Does somebody knows a substitute for the MEK or other Solvent Cure Test for powder Coatings that does not use MEK?
Armando Romero- Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
2004
A. Dear Sirs,
In some instances MEK is too severe for the solvent rub test and MEK is then mixed with a diluent such as Toluol at 1/9 MEK/Toluene.
Other specifiers state that MIBK (methyl iso butyl ketone) for the evaluation of the cured coating.
The choice of which type of solvent/blend is down to the customer that is looking for some degree of satisfaction that the coated items he receives is fully cured. He may having previously carried out evaluation trials to arrive at the type of solvent and the number of rubs required to satisfy him that the powder has been baked to his requirements and this may differ company to company.
Terry HicklingBirmingham, United Kingdom
2004
A. Hi Armando,
First of all MEK does not produce cancer (check in Material Safety Data Sheets). But if You don't want to use MEK you should try to use Xylene [on eBay or Amazon]. Xylene is recommended to Solvent Cure Test for Powder Coating by Qualicoat. More info you will find in Qualicoat specifications page no 15. You can download it from: http://www.qualicoat.net/uk/download/i-uk-download-index.html
Adam BlaszkePowder Coatings - Gdansk, Poland
2004
A. Hi Armando,
MEK is also prohibited in California. We use acetone
[on
eBay or
Amazon] for the cure test. It works just as good as MEK test.
- Livemore, California, USA
April 28, 2012
A. Use acetone [on eBay or Amazon].
Dhananjay Gadkari- Pune, Maharashtra, India
February 8, 2015
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