Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) dissolves many substances and is used as a solvent in processes involving gums, resins, cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose coatings and in vinyl films. It is used 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. MEK is also used in dry
erase markers as the solvent of the erasable dye. MEK is the precursor
to Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide, a catalyst for some polymerization
reactions. Do not confuse MEK with MEKP.