What is 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Used For? (2024)

Blue Thunder General Topics

Posted on June 1, 2022May 23, 2024 by Blue Thunder Technologies

01
Jun

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is an essential compound that comes in many options and is used for a variety of applications ranging from industrial to medical. It’s offered in various grades and dilution levels, it does not leave residue behind, and evaporates quickly. IPA is also safe to use on a variety of surfaces including plastics. Often, IPA is mixed with deionized water (DI Water), ranging from 1% to 99%.

For this article, we’ll focus on 99% IPA and how it’s used in industries all over the world.

  1. Industrial Cleaner99% IPA is an aggressive cleaning solvent, perfect for a variety of industrial applications. It is suitable for removing inks, permanent marker, stickers/adhesives, stains, grease, and grime. It’s used for wiping down and scrubbing various surfaces and equipment such as machinery, work benches, windows, parts, and components.
  2. Pre-Fusion Pipe Cleaning – Wipes saturated with 99% isopropyl alcohol are popular for cleaning the fusion zone prior to electrofusion welding. They are ideal for removing debris, dirt, oxides, and other contaminants from HDPE pipes. High levels of IPA are fast drying / evaporate quickly, making it suitable for this process.
  3. Coating – Isopropyl alcohol plays a major role in coating different products all around the world. This is most commonly in the formof 99% IPA. 99% IPA can help produce and disperse various polymers. It also serves as a diluent for resins and paints. A number of intermediates can be made from it, including acetone and glycerol. It’s also used to coat and keep windows frost-free as a thawing agent.
  4. Cleaning Electronics – Due to its fast-drying properties, highly concentrated isopropyl alcohol is a “must-have” for cleaning electronics. It can be used to safely clean and degrease things like cables, keypads, LCDs, fiber optics, and much more. The move to an increasingly digital world has made this compound one of the more important cleaning chemicals used. And it also plays a vital role in the modern manufacturing of semiconductors.
  5. Pharmaceutical Applications Another reason isopropyl alcohol is one of the go-to laboratory chemicals is that it is used to manufacture medicines. It is also used to decontaminate reactors and to make, purify, and analyze various compounds. This compound is also at the heart of running different lab analyses. And it is needed to synthesize amino acids and polypeptides.
  6. Automotive Applications 99% isopropyl alcohol has a number of different uses in the automotive industry. It’s commonly used in automotive manufacturing and repair for various surface preparation tasks such as cleaning surfaces before paint is applied. Since high concentrations of IPA are an effective cleaning solvent, it’s also perfect for removing paint, ink, grime, and certain adhesives. Additionally, car detailers use this compound to strip wax from vehicles before attempting any kind of painting or polishing. And it often goes into windshield washes to help solubilize the water.
  7. Molecular Biology Isopropyl alcohol has proven itself to be very useful in molecular biology. Specifically, the 99% dilution level of IPA helps researchers to prepare different samples for specific molecular reactions, including nucleotide sequencing. The compound can also help to concentrate and purify DNA samples. In this way, it has changed the face of molecular biology forever.
  8. Medical Applications In the medical community, isopropyl alcohol is considered a staple compound. That is because it’s highly effective for cleaning different surfaces andsterilizing equipment. Highly concentrated 99% IPA is preferred for applications that require quick evaporation with no residue left behind after applications so that tools and surfaces can be used a short time after being wiped down. The 99% concentration level can also be applied directly to skin as long as it is a medical grade alcohol.
  9. Personal Care Isopropyl alcohol also plays a major role in the personal care industry. That’s because it goes into assorted bath products, lotions, cosmetics, hand sanitizers, and more. This compound is particularly useful for making nail polishes and cleaning nails.

Choosing the Correct Level of IPA

Here at Blue Thunder Technologies, we have solvents and chemicals for just about any application including those mentioned above. To see how we can offer a customized solution for your specific needs,contact us today

Blu-SAT™ 99% IPA Presaturated Polyester Wipes, 9″ X 9″ – BS-T70-99.99

Blu-SAT™ 99% IPA Presaturated Poly-Cellulose Wipes, 7″ X 7″ – BS-T1-77.99

FREE-SAT® 7″ X 7″ Presaturated Wipes, 99% IPA / 1% DI Water

What is 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Used For? (2024)

FAQs

What is 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Used For? ›

99% isopropyl alcohol is used: To act as a solvent, a general-purpose cleaner's ingredient, or to clean surfaces. 99% isopropyl alcohol won't corrode metals or plastics, so it can be used extensively on all surfaces without leaving stains, including glass and screens.

Is 99% isopropyl alcohol safe for skin? ›

The only downside of 99% isopropyl alcohol is that, understandably, it needs to be used and stored properly. In this concentration, it is highly flammable, may cause dizziness if used in high quantities in an ill-ventilated area, and can be an irritant to skin and eyes. Of course, it should also never be ingested.

What are the differences between 70% and 99% isopropyl alcohol? ›

Isopropyl alcohol 99% is a stronger and more concentrated solution that is ideal for industrial and medical settings, while isopropyl alcohol 70% is a more diluted solution that is commonly used in household and consumer applications.

Can I use 99% isopropyl alcohol to disinfect? ›

It's important to understand that while 99% isopropyl alcohol can be more effective in certain industrial applications, for disinfecting purposes, the 70% solution is often more suitable.

How to use 99 percent isopropyl alcohol? ›

DIRECTIONS: Use full strength as topical antiseptic or for disinfections of instruments. May be used for temporary relief of minor muscular aches or pain due to overexertion and fatigue. Apply full strength to affected area and massage briskly to stimulate circulation.

What is the purpose of 99% isopropyl alcohol? ›

99% isopropyl alcohol is used: To act as a solvent, a general-purpose cleaner's ingredient, or to clean surfaces. 99% isopropyl alcohol won't corrode metals or plastics, so it can be used extensively on all surfaces without leaving stains, including glass and screens.

Can you mix 99 isopropyl alcohol with water? ›

>Thus, adding 35.35mL of distilled water to 14.65mL of 99% IPA creates a 50mL solution of 70% IPA.

Is rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide better for infection? ›

The bottom line. Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide both kill most bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In general, rubbing alcohol is better at killing germs on your hands, as it's gentler on your skin than hydrogen peroxide.

Can you dilute isopropyl alcohol with water to disinfect? ›

- How to properly dilute and use IPA. Solutions of 70% IPA in water should be left on surfaces for 30 seconds to ensure disinfection. Pure (100%) IPA evaporates too quickly for such use and is less effective. - To clean surfaces with soap and water before cleaning with IPA.

Which alcohol is best for disinfecting? ›

You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.

Which alcohol kills bed bugs? ›

The primary types of alcohol considered for bed bug eradication are rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. Typically contains between 70% and 90% isopropyl alcohol. Commercially available in various concentrations, but 91% is recommended for bed bug control.

What happens when you mix water and isopropyl alcohol? ›

When stirred, the alcohol completely dissolves into the water.

Can you use 99 isopropyl alcohol on cuts? ›

Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.

Can I dilute 99% isopropyl alcohol with water? ›

Isopropyl Alcohol 99% is a pure alcohol product. Dilute to the desired strength with purified water. Isopropyl Alcohol 70% is generally ready-to-use at that strength.

How long does 99% isopropyl alcohol last? ›

Unopened IPA (isopropyl alcohol) containers last for long periods of time. Under ideal storage conditions, the shelf life of IPA is roughly three years from the manufacture date. As storage space for flammable liquids is generally limited, most manufacturers order IPA as needed and minimize storage quantity.

Can I use 99% isopropyl alcohol on electronics? ›

Isopropyl alcohol removes oils, adhesives, fingerprints, soldering flux and other contaminants, making it ideal for cleaning electronics. However, it is important to note that only alcohol with a grade of 90% or more should be employed on circuit boards and other internal electronics.

Is 99 isopropyl alcohol safe for cuts? ›

Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing.

Can I use 99 isopropyl alcohol on a derma roller? ›

There's only one correct way to clean a derma roller: an isopropyl alcohol solution of 70% or more. If it's less than 70%, it will not sterilise the roller properly, and you will risk a short-term skin irritation or infection.

Can you use 100% isopropyl alcohol on skin? ›

Can you use Isopropyl alcohol on the skin? Common answer is yes. It can be used to disinfect a wound and some people use it for clearing up the skin. However you should always do your own research and it will always be based on the individuals skin type.

Can you use 91% isopropyl alcohol on your face? ›

Before using rubbing alcohol on your face, make sure that you select an isopropyl alcohol that's no more than 70 percent ethanol. While it's available at the drugstore in 90-percent-alcohol formulas, this is much too strong for your skin, and totally unnecessary.

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