When 99% Isopropyl Alcohol is the Best Fit
Isopropyl alcohol (chemical formula C3H8O) has several distinct percentages — 70%, 80-85%, 91%, 99%, and 99.9% — depending on your needs. Industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem’s extensive inventory contains 99% and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol.
What is Isopropyl Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, clear chemical with a pungent odor. It is widely regarded as the universal solvent because of its ability to dissolve a vast range of nonpolar compounds. Chemically, it is considered highly flammable with a wide range of combustion. Myriad industries find uses for 99% isopropyl alcohol, from automotive to pharmaceuticals.
Automotive
Isopropyl alcohol is the go-to product to strip wax from cars before painting or polishing. Added to lacquer, it decreases the lacquer’s viscosity. Within vehicle systems, isopropyl alcohol is miscible with water, meaning it will evenly mix with a water-based washer fluid or in a fuel tank to deter freezing in cold weather.
Coatings
The production of polymers, including acetone, bisphenol A, and glycerol, relies on isopropyl alcohol. It acts as a diluent in paints and resins as well, and many hand tools are rinsed with isopropyl alcohol to remove gummy residue.
Essential Oils
99% isopropyl alcohol is the medium to process essential oils, flavorings, nutraceuticals, and waxes.
Food and Beverage
Isopropyl alcohol has two distinct functions: it is safe to use on food surfaces and industrial machines as an industrial sanitizer, and it is used frequently in many areas of food production – dying, glazing, and food supplements. Another interesting role isopropyl alcohol 99% plays in the food and beverage industry is its part in the extraction of phospholipids and Omega-3 fatty acids from fish in the formation of triglyceride oil.
Cosmetics
Aftershaves, bath products, facial cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and sanitizers include isopropyl alcohol as an anti-foaming agent, a diluent, an extractant, and/or a surfactant. Most notably in the nail-care industry, isopropyl alcohol cleans and polishes nails.
Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries
Medical equipment in hospitals and clinics is often sterilized with isopropyl alcohol. It also finds a role in wound dressing and skin treatments to prevent infection. In the manufacture of medicine, isopropyl alcohol is used to analyze, create, and purify compounds.
Electronics
In this sector, isopropyl alcohol 99.9% cleans cables, connectors and contacts, fiber optic components, keypads, LCDs, and tape heads. Safe and non-corrosive on most surfaces, including elastomers, painted products, and plastic, anhydrous 99.9% isopropyl alcohol leaves no residue as it cleans polar, non-polar, and ionic components.
Laboratories
Isopropyl alcohol 99.9% is considered chemical grade with the highest purity rating of contaminant-free. This level of purity is necessary for chemical laboratory reagents and for electronic use, when any amount of water is detrimental to delicate machinery. In fact, a huge percentage of isopropyl alcohol finds its way into the electronics industry.
Environmentally speaking, 99% isopropyl alcohol scored as “excellent” on the green solvent scale and is considered ozone safe. Bell Chem is your industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including isopropyl alcohol. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff give personalized attention to all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.