MEK (MEKP) Hardener Shortage

JC-SuperJet

JC-SuperJet

Location
Texas
Those who work with Vinylesther Resin and Poyesther Resin, have you noticed a shortage of MEK? A lot of places are sold out or the prices have gone up a bunch.

For reference, the Kommander and Bullet Hulls are made with Vinylesther. Mister Ho Hulls are made with Polyesther Resin.

I do all my repairs with Epoxy Resin (no MEK needed) anyway, but was contemplating making a cheap Prototype Hull with Poly Resin.


FYI MEKP is made from Raffinate, an Oil Derivative...
 
S

sturat

Location
WA state
I work with a lot of composites in aerospace, we personally do not have a shortage since the majority of MEK and MPK are imported for us specifically. There has been a massive price spike, though. Anything oil based is ridiculous right now. Good time to invest in commodities.
 
kevbo

kevbo

Location
dfw
sturat said:
I work with a lot of composites in aerospace, we personally do not have a shortage since the majority of MEK and MPK are imported for us specifically. There has been a massive price spike, though. Anything oil based is ridiculous right now. Good time to invest in commodities.
Click to expand...
MEK vanished from aviation 20years ago. The only time I see MEKP is with a can of body filler like Bondo. Aerospace uses higher temp epoxy products that will work up to 250F or 350F depending on where the part is located on the airframe. Cheap epoxy is good but gets soft as temperature rises. Good vinyl ester is nearly as strong as cheap epoxy but can work at a little higher temperature. Anything made from cheap epoxy should be painted white to keep it as cool as possible.
 
S

sturat

Location
WA state
kevbo said:
MEK vanished from aviation 20years ago. The only time I see MEKP is with a can of body filler like Bondo. Aerospace uses higher temp epoxy products that will work up to 250F or 350F depending on where the part is located on the airframe. Cheap epoxy is good but gets soft as temperature rises. Good vinyl ester is nearly as strong as cheap epoxy but can work at a little higher temperature. Anything made from cheap epoxy should be painted white to keep it as cool as possible.
Click to expand...
I work in aerospace, not aviation. We still actively use MEK, as do other big players in the industry. The composites aren't what are taking the temperature abuse, though. At least not for us. Beyond that I can't go into details.
 
smokeysevin

smokeysevin

one man with a couch
Location
Houston
Kick time for poly is great for doing prototypes or random quick stuff.

That's the only positive I can personally think of from working with it.

Sean
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom