Semiconductor Grade Chemicals vs. Electronic Grade Chemicals

By Ecolink Team

May 30, 2025

Chemical grades can be confusing—do I need an ACS grade chemical? A USP? How about a technical grade?

Simply put, chemical grades refer to a chemical’s level of purity, with different grades being used for different purposes. And if you’re in the electronics industry, then chances are you’ve heard of two:

Semiconductor grade chemicals and electronic grade chemicals.

In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at these two high-purity chemical grades to help you choose the best product for your application.

Let’s dive in!

Semiconductor vs Electronic Grade Chemicals: What’s the Difference?

While their names may differ, semiconductor and electronic grade chemicals ultimately mean the same thing: Ultra-pure substances commonly used in electronic applications.

While the term ‘semiconductor’ is a bit more specific than ‘electronics,’ the two names are often used interchangeably, depending on your application.

For example, if you’re in the business of manufacturing semiconductors, then “semiconductor grade chemicals” may be the name you use. However, electronic grade would also be correct—the choice is yours!

Here are some examples of these high-purity chemicals:

And more!

Common Applications of High-Purity Chemicals

Ultra-pure substances like these are great for use on delicate electronic surfaces. These chemicals remove debris and other compounds while significantly decreasing the risk of damage to the sensitive surface.