Kerox - ME-50 MEKP Catalyst

Pioneers Since 1968

Kerox ME-50, Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (MEKP) Catalyst, was indigenously researched, developed and pioneered by our late founder and visionary K.V.Ramanath. The FRP industry in India was begining to take root in the mid 1960's and MEKP was being imported from UK. Through R&D initiatives Kerox developed and introduced the first indigenously developed MEKP product in 1968. Since then we have been the market leaders and continue to innovate the technology and maintain the highest quality standards.

Superior Engineering

Our process is built on sound principles of chemical engineering design. To maintain premium quality our process is carried out in glass lined reactors and glass extraction units. We use a dedicated plant and a separate building unit.

Safety Requirements

Please see the MSDS for health and safety requirements.

All peroxides are high energy compounds and are inherently unstable. Care should, therefore, be taken in handling and storage of these compounds.

Kerox ME-50 is flammable, although the risk of auto-ignition under normal conditions is small due to its high flash point. Once ignited it will burn slowly at first, then vigorously, and finally explode.

Kerox ME-50 may undergo slow decomposition at room temperature with evolution of gaseous products which readily support combustion if ignited. The gassing will also lead to pressure build-up leading to a possible bursting of the container.

Kerox ME-50 is also catalytically decomposed by certain metallic, organic, or acidic materials.

Handling Spills

Care must be exercised while mopping up spillages on the production floor. Cotton based rags or other mopping material may, at times, be contaminated with accelerators or solvents like acetone, which are commonly used for cleaning operations. For the same reason, rags contaminated with catalyst should not be thrown carelessly into waste bins where, even in the absence of an accelerator, it may undergo spontaneous combustion. The best way to dispose off the contaminated rags is by burning under controlled conditions. Each country had different regulations and we urge you to consult accordingly for dispoal of such waste.

Handling Fire

In the event of an accidental fire immediately call your local emergency response governmental department. As a first response in such situations please be advised that conventional carbon dioxide type extinguishers will be ineffective as the catalyst produces its own oxygen to support combustion. In such circumstances, the burning catalyst must be cooled with water, wet-sand or earth, foam based extinguishers or, if available, dry ice. All effort must be made to put out the fire before it goes out of control.

Literature and Links

	Kerox ME-50 MEKP Catalyst and Kerox C-20 Accelerator Product Profile
	Kerox ME-50 MEKP Analysis
	Kerox ME-50 MEKP MSDS

Kerox ME-50 MEKP Catalyst Specifications

Compostion	:	Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide in phthalate plasticizer.
Appearance	:	Clear, colorless, slightly viscous liquid.
Odor	:	Sharp, pungent.
Peroxide Content (%)	:	50 ± 3
Active Oxygen	:	9 ± 3
Specific Gravity at 25^oC	:	1.08
Critical Temperature	:	80^o C
Flash Point	:	Above 60^o C
Solubility	:	Slightly soluble in water; freely soluble in most organic solvens.
Shelf Life	:	Not less than 3 months if stored bleow 25^o C.
Storage Conditions	:	Store in cool place and do not expose to direct sunlight.
Standard Packing	:	1 Liter, 5 Liter, 30 Liter, 35 Liter Plastic Containers.

Practical Safety Guidelines

Considering the relatively high hazad of organic peroxides, the safety-in-use record of Kerox ME-50 has been most satisfactory. However, careful attention must be given to the following precautions while storing and handling of Kerox ME-50.

	Store in a cool, dark place.
	Avoid rough handling.
	Keep away from direct sunlight, steam pipes, naked flame, and other sources of heat.
	Smoking should be strictly prohibited in the vicinity.
	All electrical installations should be flame proof type and all wiring must be concealed.
	Avoid contamination with metallic, organic, or acidic materials, and in particular metal soaps and accelerators.
	Avoid contamination with solvents like acetone which may react to form explosive mixtures.
	Do not store accelerators and resins along with the catalyst.
	Avoid contact with flammable materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, saw dust, and other cellulosic materials.
	Keep the catalyst in original containers. Do not return unused material to the container. Keep the container closed at all times to avoid contamination.
	Vent the catalyst periodically to release any internal pressure.
	Large quantities of catalyst, above 50 Kg, must be stored in an isolated building away from other combustible materials.

Certified Quality

Kerox has been awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification by UKAS (UK) and ANSI-RAB (USA) for the manufacture of ME-50 Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide Catalyst.

Quality Alert

We maintain the highest quality in our ME-50 product. Water contamination is a cheap diluent that is being used in other spurious MEKP products in the market. This has highly detrimental effects and leads to poor curing and blistering in finished FRP composities, due to moisture migration. Kerox ME-50 MEKP Catalyst is moisture free due to our superior manufacturing process. Please contact us for a water contamination test kit to test your MEKP on site - keroxoffice@kerox.org.

Gel Test Curves

This is a typical gel time curve using 2% of ME-50 and 2% of C-20 Accelerator, on the weight of the resin. Gel time is about 16 minutes and the peak exotherm is about 104^o C at about 35 minutes. The ambient temperature for this test was controlled at 25^o C

Recommendations

Gel time is a function of the type and quantity of MEKP catalyst used, Accelerator used, resin system, and the ambient temperature. You can adjust these variable to alter the gel time. Please see literature for further insights.

Storage and Handling

Kerox ME-50 shows no loss of activity after 3 months if kept at 25^o C. When stored above this temperature it may suffer a slight loss of activity. Storage stability can be considerably improved by storing at lower temperatures. The optimum storage temperature is considered to be 10^o C. The peroxide may crystallize below 10^o C forming shock-sensitive crystals.

First Aid Measures

Kerox ME-50 is a powerful oxidizing agent and care must be taken to avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Protective gloves must be worn when handling the catalyst.

Skin - Immediately remove any contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated area with soap and a running stream of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. If irritation, or burns, or adverse symptoms develop seek medical attention.

Eyes - Serious damage can occur if the catalyst enters the eye. As a first aid measure, if wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately. Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Separate the eye lids with your finger and continue thorough flushing. If irritation, or burns, or adverse symptoms develop seek medical attention.

Ingestion - Do not induce vomiting. Immediately seek medical attention and consult a physician and a poison control specialist.

Inhalation - Remove affected individual to fresh air. If coughing, breathing becomes labored, irritation develops, or other symptoms develop, seek medical attention at once. Even if symptoms develop several hours after exposure consult a physician.