Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol (CAS 67-63-0), commonly known as IPA, is a fast-evaporating solvent used in cleaning, pharmaceutical, and personal care manufacturing.

Where is Isopropyl alcohol used?

• Electronics manufacturing: removes flux residues, fingerprints, and particulate contamination from PCBs and precision components without damaging sensitive substrates
• Pharmaceutical and healthcare: disinfectant and process solvent in tablet coatings, topical formulations, and cleanroom surface sanitation; medical use as an antiseptic and disinfectant, mainly as a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, commonly called rubbing alcohol
• Personal care: solvent and preservative in antiperspirants, hand sanitizers, and skin toners
• Printing and packaging: fountain solution additive and ink solvent to control viscosity and improve plate wetting
• It dissolves oils, resins, and active ingredients without leaving residue.
• Used as a reaction solvent for chemical synthesis.
• Added to a DNA solution to isolate or separate DNA from the rest of the solution.
• Used as a solvent in coatings, inks, and adhesives formulation.

Good to know: Standard specifications include USP, BP, and Ph. Eur. for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

Formulation notes

• A 60% isopropyl alcohol and 40% deionized water grade is available, by volume.
• Incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong acids, isocyanates, and anhydrides.
• FFKM and PTFE are rated excellent for contact up to 200 °C.
• Carbon steel is rated fair with a maximum service temperature of 50 °C due to flash-rust risk from trace moisture.

Typical specification

• Minimum assay of 99.90 wt% by GC.
• Maximum nonvolatile matter of 10 ppm.
• Assay specification of 58-62% in this grade.

Regulatory status

• Assigned UN number 1219 for transport.
• Classified under CLP as a highly flammable liquid and vapour (H225).
• Classified under CLP as causing serious eye irritation (H319).
• Classified under CLP as possibly causing drowsiness or dizziness (H336).

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated flammable-liquid area in tightly sealed original containers, segregated from oxidizers and acids.
• Sold in 165 kg barrels.

Frequently asked questions about Isopropyl alcohol

What is the occupational exposure limit for isopropyl alcohol?

The occupational exposure limit (TLV-TWA) for isopropyl alcohol is 200 ppm.

What are the typical quality specifications for isopropyl alcohol?

Isopropyl alcohol has a maximum acidity of 0.001 wt% as acetic acid and a maximum color of 10 Pt-Co; it is completely miscible with water.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.