<p>The answer really depends on what you are using it for. Is it for dissolving ABS? A <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=accetone%20substitute" rel="nofollow noreferrer">quick google search</a> should show you what you want.</p>

<p>The thread, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/post/Could_you_recommend_me_a_suitable_alternative_to_acetone_as_solvent" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Could you recommend me a suitable alternative to acetone as solvent?</a>, has a good many points that are worth considering:</p>

<p>For example, you may need to consider the <em>Polarity Index</em></p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="http://macro.lsu.edu/howto/solvents/Polarity%20index.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Burdick &amp; Jackson solvents</a> are arranged in order of increasing
  polarity index, a relative measure of the degree of interaction of the
  solvent with various polar test solutes.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>If you are using it to dissolve a polymer other than ABS, then the family/class of polymer may need to be considered:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Apart from your desired solvent qualities (non-flammability and low boiling point), the choice will be totally dependent on the family/ class which the polymer  belongs. Based on the principal that 'like dissolves like, the attached document will provide you with good ideas on which solvent to use when a particular repeating unit of the polymer is involved. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>Butanone is a possibility:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>One alternative is butanone (button-2-one) - this is similar to acetone, but has a much higher boiling point. It is often used for alkylations etc. It has a boiling point of 79-80°C compared to 56°C of acetone. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>or NMP:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) can be used. It is a polar aprotic solvent and dissolves many polymers. It has high boiling point ( >200 degree centigrade)  It is soluble in water and easy to dispose which is a great advantage during work up of reactions. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, some other alternative chemicals are listed here (from <a href="https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,6,266290,271485" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Any good alternative to Acetone</a>?:</p>

<ul>
<li>Butyl alcohol</li>
<li>methyl isobutyl keytone (MIBK)</li>
<li>denatured alcohol</li>
<li>MEK (methyl,ethyl,ketone), i.e. Kleen-Strip MEK Alternative</li>
<li>Ethyl Acetate</li>
</ul>

<p>Some branded items, from <a href="https://www.hunker.com/12552932/alternatives-to-acetone" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Alternatives to Acetone</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>Surfasolve</li>
  </ul>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Surfasolve is a 100 percent biodegradable acetone replacement that removes adhesives, degreases tools and works as a resin solvent.
    Surfasolve is a non-regulated product.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Bio-Solv</li>
  </ul>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Bio-Solv is an acetone replacement that is 100 percent biodegradable. It is not deemed a hazmat, so shipping will not cost
    you more. This acetone alternative is not listed on California
    Proposition 65, a law passed in 1986 to keep substances that cause
    cancer and birth defects out of drinking water. Nevertheless, you want
    to use Bio-Solv in a well-ventilated area because of an unpleasant
    odor. It is not, however, a hazardous air pollutant. Bio-Solv is not
    petroleum based.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Replacetone</li>
  </ul>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Replacetone is another acetone alternative. It is nonflammable and nonvolatile. It can be used as an acetone or MEK (methyl ethyl ketone,
    an industrial solvent) replacement that is biodegradable. Both
    Replacetone and Bio-Solv are referred to as green acetone.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Methyl Acetate</li>
  </ul>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Methyl acetate is offered as an acetone replacement. Manufactured by the Eastman Chemical Company, it is utilized in industrial
    applications. It is biodegradable, volatile organic compound exempt
    and non-HAP (hazardous air pollutant)</p>
  </blockquote>
</blockquote>

<h3>Important note</h3>

<p>However, <em>some of these items may also be banned in your country</em>, so check first. As you do not say which country that you are from, it is not possible to qualify this statement.</p>

<p>It is worth remembering that some of these substances are <em>not</em> as safe as acetone, and <em>the fumes may be more toxic</em>, so they should always be used in <em>well ventilated spaces</em>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-22T15:43:31.503Z
Just an aside, butane and methylethylketone (MEK) are the same molecule. If acetone (dimethylketone) is outlawed, then I would guess that MEK is also illegal.
Dustin Wheeler
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-21T00:22:01.223Z
2017-05-21T06:00:13.993Z
2017-05-21T06:00:13.993Z
Greenonline
<p>I have used DCM (dichloromethane, or ethylene dichloride) to dissolve ABS (or cold-weld/glue parts together).</p>

<p>From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ABS wikipedia page</a>: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>ABS polymers</strong> are resistant to aqueous acids, alkalis, concentrated
  hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, alcohols and animal, vegetable and
  mineral oils, but they are swollen by glacial acetic acid, carbon
  tetrachloride and aromatic hydrocarbons and <strong>are attacked by
  concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. They are soluble in esters,
  ketones, ethylene dichloride and acetone</strong>.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-21T05:27:13.147Z
2017-05-21T05:27:13.147Z
khaverim
<p>Acetone is banned in my country, and I cannot get it.</p>

<p>What substitute could I use?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-21T00:06:48.447Z
To do what with? It depends what you needed the acetone for? To dissolve ABS? Google lists a [number of alternatives](https://www.google.com/search?q=accetone+substitute).
Greenonline
<filament><prusa-i3><abs><quality><acetone>
I need an acetone substitute
Maxi Aguirre
# I need an acetone substitute

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-20)

Acetone is banned in my country, and I cannot get it.

What substitute could I use?

**Tags:** filament, prusa-i3, abs, quality, acetone
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: To do what with? It depends what you needed the acetone for? To dissolve ABS? Google lists a [number of alternatives](https://www.google.com/search?q=accetone+substitute).  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The answer really depends on what you are using it for. Is it for dissolving ABS? A [quick google search](https://www.google.com/search?q=accetone%20substitute) should show you what you want.

The thread, [Could you recommend me a suitable alternative to acetone as solvent?](https://www.researchgate.net/post/Could_you_recommend_me_a_suitable_alternative_to_acetone_as_solvent), has a good many points that are worth considering:

For example, you may need to consider the *Polarity Index*

> [Burdick & Jackson solvents](http://macro.lsu.edu/howto/solvents/Polarity%20index.htm) are arranged in order of increasing
> polarity index, a relative measure of the degree of interaction of the
> solvent with various polar test solutes.

If you are using it to dissolve a polymer other than ABS, then the family/class of polymer may need to be considered:

> Apart from your desired solvent qualities (non-flammability and low boiling point), the choice will be totally dependent on the family/ class which the polymer  belongs. Based on the principal that 'like dissolves like, the attached document will provide you with good ideas on which solvent to use when a particular repeating unit of the polymer is involved.

Butanone is a possibility:

> One alternative is butanone (button-2-one) - this is similar to acetone, but has a much higher boiling point. It is often used for alkylations etc. It has a boiling point of 79-80°C compared to 56°C of acetone.

or NMP:

> N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) can be used. It is a polar aprotic solvent and dissolves many polymers. It has high boiling point ( >200 degree centigrade)  It is soluble in water and easy to dispose which is a great advantage during work up of reactions.

However, some other alternative chemicals are listed here (from [Any good alternative to Acetone](https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,6,266290,271485)?:

* Butyl alcohol
* methyl isobutyl keytone (MIBK)
* denatured alcohol
* MEK (methyl,ethyl,ketone), i.e. Kleen-Strip MEK Alternative
* Ethyl Acetate

Some branded items, from [Alternatives to Acetone](https://www.hunker.com/12552932/alternatives-to-acetone):

> * Surfasolve
>
> > Surfasolve is a 100 percent biodegradable acetone replacement that removes adhesives, degreases tools and works as a resin solvent.
> > Surfasolve is a non-regulated product.
>
> * Bio-Solv
>
> > Bio-Solv is an acetone replacement that is 100 percent biodegradable. It is not deemed a hazmat, so shipping will not cost
> > you more. This acetone alternative is not listed on California
> > Proposition 65, a law passed in 1986 to keep substances that cause
> > cancer and birth defects out of drinking water. Nevertheless, you want
> > to use Bio-Solv in a well-ventilated area because of an unpleasant
> > odor. It is not, however, a hazardous air pollutant. Bio-Solv is not
> > petroleum based.
>
> * Replacetone
>
> > Replacetone is another acetone alternative. It is nonflammable and nonvolatile. It can be used as an acetone or MEK (methyl ethyl ketone,
> > an industrial solvent) replacement that is biodegradable. Both
> > Replacetone and Bio-Solv are referred to as green acetone.
>
> * Methyl Acetate
>
> > Methyl acetate is offered as an acetone replacement. Manufactured by the Eastman Chemical Company, it is utilized in industrial
> > applications. It is biodegradable, volatile organic compound exempt
> > and non-HAP (hazardous air pollutant)

### Important note

However, *some of these items may also be banned in your country*, so check first. As you do not say which country that you are from, it is not possible to qualify this statement.

It is worth remembering that some of these substances are *not* as safe as acetone, and *the fumes may be more toxic*, so they should always be used in *well ventilated spaces*.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Just an aside, butane and methylethylketone (MEK) are the same molecule. If acetone (dimethylketone) is outlawed, then I would guess that MEK is also illegal.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-05-21. Score: 1

I have used DCM (dichloromethane, or ethylene dichloride) to dissolve ABS (or cold-weld/glue parts together).

From [ABS wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylonitrile_butadiene_styrene):

> **ABS polymers** are resistant to aqueous acids, alkalis, concentrated
> hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, alcohols and animal, vegetable and
> mineral oils, but they are swollen by glacial acetic acid, carbon
> tetrachloride and aromatic hydrocarbons and **are attacked by
> concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. They are soluble in esters,
> ketones, ethylene dichloride and acetone**.


---

