What Is Denatured Alcohol?
Denatured alcohol, also referred to as “methylated spirits”, is a form of ethanol with specific additives for deterring consumption. The additives make it a poisonous liquid that has a poor taste and nauseating smell. A variety of additives can be used, with ten percent methanol being a common choice. These additives work to inhibit individuals from consuming the alcohol, as well as impede them from using distillation or another practice to create a drinkable version. Most countries require denatured alcohol to be dyed blue or purple to indicate its associated dangers.
Beneficial Applications of Denatured Alcohol
Denatured alcohol is a useful product in a number of scenarios, ranging from general at-home cleaning to industrial work. Some typical applications of denatured alcohol include:
One of the most common uses of denatured alcohol is as a cleaning agent. Denatured alcohol can remove dirt, grease, glue, wax, and other types of grime from a variety of hard surfaces, such as wood, glass, and plastic.
- Fueling of Small Camping Stoves
Denatured alcohol can be utilized to fuel small camping stoves and oil heaters. Its low price and ability to burn cleanly make it an attractive fuel for this purpose.
Denatured alcohol also serves as a useful stain remover. It works well in dissolving oil-based substances, such as oil-based inks and lipstick. It can also effectively remove stains from clothing, such as berry stains and grass stains. To use denatured alcohol as a stain remover, simply dip a cotton ball into the alcohol and then blot the stain. Replace the cotton ball with a fresh one as needed, as it will absorb the stain throughout this process.
Bug infestations can be a huge nuisance, but luckily, denatured alcohol can help. It can be used as an insecticide for aphids, bedbugs, and other pests.
After sanding wood, there may be sawdust residue left over. Denatured alcohol can be applied with a soft cloth to remove sawdust, smooth the wood’s surface, and give the wood a professional and glossy finish.
Finally, in industrial settings, denatured alcohol is often used as a solvent in products such as shellac and paint thinner.
Denatured Alcohol Safety
Denatured alcohol, while versatile, is extremely flammable, thus making it important to store it in a proper location away from sparks or flames. Inhalation in a poorly ventilated environment may cause dizziness and other complications. The substance should never come in contact with a person’s skin or eyes during use. Those applying denatured alcohol as a general cleaner or degreaser should wear protective clothing, goggles, and gloves to prevent these occurrences. Finally, it is important to check the credentials of any supplier offering denatured alcohol. The supplier should have the appropriate environmental accreditations and have a reputation for quality.
Interested in Denatured Alcohol?
If you are searching for a reputable denatured alcohol supplier, look no further than Ecolink! For more information about our denatured alcohol products, please contact us today for more! Click the shop now button to browse our full selection of products including denatured alcohol!
Ethyl Acetate in Food
/in Commodity Chemicals/by Industrial DegreasersEthyl Acetate is an ester of ethanol and acetic acid. It is typically manufactured for use as a solvent on a large scale. It is a moderately polar, clear, colorless liquid solvent with a light fruity odor. Ethyl Acetate, also known as ethyl ethanoate, is a widely used solvent in organic synthesis that is highly miscible with common organic solvents. It is cost-effective, highly effective and is easily broken in both air and water simultaneously. It can be mixed with non-polar solvents and is also used for extractions. Ethyl Acetate is used to extract not only within the pharmaceutical industry and for industrial purposes but also in the food and beverage industry.
Ethyl Acetate in the Food and Beverage Industry
Ethyl Acetate has a sweet smell that is used to bring a fruity flavor to candy, baked goods, gum, etc. Ethyl acetate is also used to extract tobacco from cigarettes, decaffeinate tea leaves, and decaffeinate coffee. The process to decaffeinate coffee can take up to ten hours, the green coffee beans are rinsed with an ethyl acetate solution to remove caffeine from them. Immersing the green coffee beans in water softens the beans and dissolves the caffeine. Ethyl Acetate is added to the water and the caffeine binds to the chemical due to the water holding all the caffeine instead of the coffee beans holding the caffeine. When the water is heated, the ethyl acetate steams off, taking the caffeine with it. Ethyl acetate can also be found in wine. It is also common ester in wines, helping to give wines a fruity flavor. Ethyl acetate is used as an artificial flavor in ice creams and cakes.
Why Should You Be Concerned about Ethyl Acetate?
Although ethyl acetate is a solvent that is considered “natural” due to it being found in nature, the chemical actually used is synthetic and is not naturally derived. Ethyl Acetate has been deemed to be environmentally safe, relatively non-toxic and non-hygroscopic by some, however, this chemical is on the hazardous substance list due to it being regulated by several agencies. Ethyl Acetate is highly flammable, it can be toxic when either ingested or inhaled, and it can cause irritation when it comes into contact with the eyes or with the skin. This chemical can be very damaging to internal organs if you are repeatedly exposed to ethyl acetate or are exposed to ethyl acetate for long periods of time.
Best Uses of Denatured Alcohol
/in Denatured Alcohol Cleaners/by Industrial DegreasersWhat Is Denatured Alcohol?
Denatured alcohol, also referred to as “methylated spirits”, is a form of ethanol with specific additives for deterring consumption. The additives make it a poisonous liquid that has a poor taste and nauseating smell. A variety of additives can be used, with ten percent methanol being a common choice. These additives work to inhibit individuals from consuming the alcohol, as well as impede them from using distillation or another practice to create a drinkable version. Most countries require denatured alcohol to be dyed blue or purple to indicate its associated dangers.
Beneficial Applications of Denatured Alcohol
Denatured alcohol is a useful product in a number of scenarios, ranging from general at-home cleaning to industrial work. Some typical applications of denatured alcohol include:
One of the most common uses of denatured alcohol is as a cleaning agent. Denatured alcohol can remove dirt, grease, glue, wax, and other types of grime from a variety of hard surfaces, such as wood, glass, and plastic.
Denatured alcohol can be utilized to fuel small camping stoves and oil heaters. Its low price and ability to burn cleanly make it an attractive fuel for this purpose.
Denatured alcohol also serves as a useful stain remover. It works well in dissolving oil-based substances, such as oil-based inks and lipstick. It can also effectively remove stains from clothing, such as berry stains and grass stains. To use denatured alcohol as a stain remover, simply dip a cotton ball into the alcohol and then blot the stain. Replace the cotton ball with a fresh one as needed, as it will absorb the stain throughout this process.
Bug infestations can be a huge nuisance, but luckily, denatured alcohol can help. It can be used as an insecticide for aphids, bedbugs, and other pests.
After sanding wood, there may be sawdust residue left over. Denatured alcohol can be applied with a soft cloth to remove sawdust, smooth the wood’s surface, and give the wood a professional and glossy finish.
Finally, in industrial settings, denatured alcohol is often used as a solvent in products such as shellac and paint thinner.
Denatured Alcohol Safety
Denatured alcohol, while versatile, is extremely flammable, thus making it important to store it in a proper location away from sparks or flames. Inhalation in a poorly ventilated environment may cause dizziness and other complications. The substance should never come in contact with a person’s skin or eyes during use. Those applying denatured alcohol as a general cleaner or degreaser should wear protective clothing, goggles, and gloves to prevent these occurrences. Finally, it is important to check the credentials of any supplier offering denatured alcohol. The supplier should have the appropriate environmental accreditations and have a reputation for quality.
Interested in Denatured Alcohol?
If you are searching for a reputable denatured alcohol supplier, look no further than Ecolink! For more information about our denatured alcohol products, please contact us today for more! Click the shop now button to browse our full selection of products including denatured alcohol!
Acetone vs Denatured Alcohol
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersAcetone and Denatured alcohol have two characteristics in common with each other despite the fact that one chemical compound is a solvent and the other being a type of alcohol. Acetone and Denatured Alcohol share the ability to break down substances and can be used as thinners. Although Acetone and Denatured Alcohol share some similarities, they also have some differences. Find out which chemical compound better suits your needs for your specific industry.
What is Acetone?
Acetone is one of the oldest chemical compounds that is widely used for industrial purposes and is even made in our own bodies. Acetone occurs in nature as a product of the breakdown of fat in our bodies, in plants, trees, forest fires, and more. It is present in vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfill sites. Industrial processes contribute more acetone to the environment than natural processes do. Acetone is a colorless, organic solvent that has a distinct mild smell that is relatively low in cost and is applied and used in the following industries:
What is Denatured Alcohol?
Denatured Alcohol, sometimes referred to as methylated spirits, is a greener alternative for your cleaning needs. Denatured Alcohol is ethanol that is unfit for human consumption due to denaturants being added to it that make it poisonous, which is why humans are not able to consume denatured alcohol. Denatured Alcohol is a non-toxic, clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant odor that can dissolve other chemical substances. Denatured Alcohol is a versatile solvent that can be mixed readily with water and many organic liquids and solvents to make chemical compounds. It is intended for fuel or solvent usage and can be applied and used in the following industries:
Interested in Acetone or Denatured Alcohol?
To find out whether acetone or denatured alcohol is the best option for you and your needs, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or send us an email through our contact form. For over 25 years, we’ve provided stock and custom cleaners that have an amazing efficacy. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing how we can help with your thinning and/or cleaning needs!
Safe Handling of Toluene
/in Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersWhat is Toluene?
Toluene is a colorless aromatic hydrocarbon. Toluene occurs naturally at low levels in crude oil and as a byproduct in gasoline production and coke production from coal. Toluene is closely related to benzene and has similar qualities. The smell of Toluene is usually associated with paint thinners due to it being a key solvent within it. Toluene has several uses including use as a:
Toluene is also used within consumer products such as nail polish removers, glues, synthetic fragrances, and correction fluids.
What are the health and environmental impacts of toulene?
Toluene is both a skin and eye irritant. Inhalation of Toluene can cause confusion, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, hearing loss, and color vision loss. Toluene is also flammable in the presence of flames, but not in the presence of electrical sparks. The EPA states that there is insufficient information regarding Toluene having a carcinogenic potential. Toluene is also currently listed as a reproductive toxin.
How to Safely Handle Toluene
When handling Toluene, it is pertinent to have proper ventilation in the facility it is being handled within. An example of ideal ventilation is having spray booths within the facility to decrease the spread of toluene vapors. Another essential item while handling toluene is to wear proper gloves, either neoprene or nitrile gloves are ideal. When handling Toluene, there should be no local ignition source due to the toluene vapors being explosive.
To reduce exposure, some tips include to switch from substituting brush and roller applications for spray application. An ideal choice to reduce exposure when cleaning and degreasing is to switch over to a water-based solvent rather than continue using toluene.
Safer Alternatives to Toluene
Methyl soyate is a safer alternative to Toluene. Methyl Soyate, also known as soy methyl ester, is a soybean oil derivative that has the ability to replace Toluene in several applications. A few of these applications include:
Other advantages of switching to Methyl Soyate is its environmental and health impacts. Methyl soyate is both biodegradable and renewable; it is also low in VOCs. Methyl Soyate also is nontoxic and there are no known health risks on humans. To learn more about the overall benefits of Methyl Soyate, please check out our post, Benefits of Methyl Soyate.
For more information regarding safer handling of Toluene and safer alternatives for when you are ready to make the switch, please email us at info@ecolink.com, or call us at (800)563-1305.
How to Decide What Isopar™ To Use
/in Commodity Chemicals/by Industrial DegreasersIsopar™ is a brand name for isoparaffinic fluids from Exxon Mobil Chemical. Isoparaffin is a synthetic hydrocarbon solvent with a unique combination of flash point, evaporation rate, and boiling range. Isoparaffins are virtually odorless making them particularly suitable for use in the fields of cleaning, painting, printing, the manufacture of wallpaper, and photocopying. There are different Isopar™ solvents to choose from such as but are not limited to Isopar™ C, Isopar™ G, and Isopar™ L. The different Isopar™ solvents have some similarities, but the solvents also have some differences.
Isopar™ C – SHOP 55 GALLON
Isopar™ C is colorless, odorless, and has a high purity. It has a high chemical stability for good end product shelf life, is compatible with most non-polar ingredients, and it is compatible with most packaging materials. Isopar™ C delivers one of the narrowest boiling ranges for hydrocarbons for the optimal combination of flash point and drying time. Isopar™ C is a cost-effective alternative to other isoalkanes with comparable performance and good spreadability properties.
Isopar™ G – SHOP 55 GALLON
Isopar™ G is a colorless, odorless liquid solvent that biodegrades at a moderate rate and will not persist nor disturb the working environment. Isopar™ G evaporates fast, which is an ideal option for self-evaporable formulations such as vanishing oils and evanescent oils. Fast evaporation enables very low viscosity formulations, permits fast and uniform spreading on metal parts. A great characteristic about Isopar™ G is that you do not have to worry about volatility chronic aquatic toxicity.
Isopar™ L – SHOP 55 GALLON
Isopar™ L is odorless and has minimal acute and chronic toxicity and has low surface tension ensures that fluid gets to areas that other fluids cannot reach. Isopar™ L is fully compatible with metals and polymeric materials that will not d
amage most plastics and elastomers. It has high OELs (Occupational Exposure Limits) for safer operations and lower exposure risks compared to conventional solvents. Also, Isopar™ L gives you the choice of boiling ranges and flashpoints to create a tailored cleaning solution in a wide range of evaporation rates.
Interested In Purchasing Isopar™ Solvents?
To find out if Isopar™ C, Isopar™ G, or Isopar™ L is the best option for you and your needs, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or send us an email through our contact form. For over 25 years, we’ve provided stock and custom cleaners that have an amazing efficacy. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing how we can help with solvent needs!