Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) is a highly reactive, thermally unstable substance. Improper storage, transport and handling can lead to self-accelerated decomposition of the product, which may also occur:
1. Explosive decomposition
2. Decompose combustibles and burn rapidly
3. The product precipitates out of the solvent and explodes in case of collision or vibration
4. Violent reaction with pollutants
5. Corrosion and chemical burns
1.Explosive decomposition
Organic peroxides decompose and release heat when heated. When the ambient temperature is too high, the heat generated by the decomposition is too late to be released to the environment, and the heat accumulates, resulting in self-accelerated decomposition.
The self-accelerating decomposition temperature SADT of qualified MEKP curing agent is greater than 50°C, which can be safely stored and transported at room temperature (SADT=Self Accelerating Decomposition Temperature).
MEKP undergoes self-accelerating decomposition in closed containers, with evolution of heat and large amounts of gas, which can lead to a thermal explosion.
2.Decomposes flammables, burns rapidly
High-quality methyl ethyl ketone peroxide curing agent has a high flash point (greater than SADT) and is non-flammable. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide products that have not been dehydrated by distillation have residual methyl ethyl ketone and a relatively low flash point. The flash point of qualified methyl ethyl ketone peroxide curing agent is generally higher than 35°C.
Inferior products added with methanol have a low flash point (methanol flash point = 12°C), which greatly increases the burning rate of the product once the methyl ethyl ketone peroxide curing agent is ignited.
3.Explosion in case of collision or vibration
Pure methyl ethyl ketone peroxide is sensitive to mechanical impact or friction and is explosive (according to foreign reports, ISIS used pure methyl ethyl ketone peroxide to make explosives for terrorist attacks). In order to ensure product safety, a safe solvent must be added as a phlegmatizer, and the total active oxygen content must be controlled to be less than 10%.
High-quality methyl ethyl ketone peroxide curing agent, desensitized by safe solvents such as high-boiling phthalates and aliphatic esters, and is not explosive under normal storage, transportation and operating conditions.
Inferior curing agents have high water content. In order to reduce costs, a large amount of volatile methanol is used as a solubilizer. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide is insoluble in water. During storage, transportation and operation, due to factors such as temperature changes and methanol volatilization, product separation may occur. The precipitated high-concentration MEKP is prone to explosion when it is shaken or hit.
4.React violently with pollutants
Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide is a highly reactive substance. When it encounters reducing agents (such as amines), acids, alkalis and heavy metal compounds (such as accelerators, desiccants and metal soaps), it will decompose violently, releasing a lot of heat and flammable gases.
High-quality curing agent uses high-quality raw materials, adopts distillation dehydration process, the product has low impurity content and high stability.
Inferior curing agents use cheap raw materials and use desiccants to dehydrate, which may introduce metal salt impurities, resulting in poor product stability and potential safety hazards. Contaminated methyl ethyl ketone peroxide curing agent has reduced stability and may undergo self-accelerated decomposition at room temperature, causing fire or explosion accidents.
5.Corrosion and Chemical Burns
Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide is corrosive. Contact with the skin can cause severe chemical burns; entering the eyes can cause eye damage or even blindness; ingestion can cause burns, perforation, and even death of the esophagus and digestive tract.
Eye contact: Immediately rinse with water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and shoes, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, drink plenty of milk or water, seek medical attention immediately.