IPA For 3D Printing

IPA For 3D Printing

3D printing is a very tedious process that requires some clean-up when it is done. In the most simplistic definition, 3D printing is the process done through a computer program that constructs what you wish to be printed from that.

Going about cleaning a 3D printing can be confusing for some people, so I’m here to give you an option for getting your printer the cleaner it needs!

What is IPA?

Isopropyl alcohol is a widely used cleaning solvent and can clean many different pieces of equipment and remove a variety of stains or hard to remove spills. It’s commonly used as a cleaning source for electronics and metals. Similarly, it can be used in cleaning printing equipment as well. It helps in cleaning resin spills.

3D Printing Relative to Now

In our ever-changing complicated world having a reliable cleaner for 3D printers is important to constantly be able to use equipment properly. 3D Printing has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic into a crucial tool to help mass produce when other companies can’t to almost anyone in the world. Having a reliable cleaner like IPA for your 3D printer can help your company or your own personal equipment better function without clogging or any other problems that would arise.

 3D Printed Products for the pandemic include:

  • Medical Devices
  • Testing Devices and Equipment
  • PPE
  • Personal protections (not medical related)
  • Emergency rooms

While some of the uses are more at a higher level than personal, IPA can be used to clean all the different types of 3D Printers that produce these many products. If you or someone you know could benefit from a product like IPA to help clean the resin from their 3D printers, you can view some of our available products for you here.

Sanitizer For Food Service

Sanitizer for food service is necessary for cleaning and disinfecting commercial kitchens, to keep customers safe and prevent the spread of illness caused by contamination. One common chemical that can be used as a sanitizer for food service is Isopropyl Alcohol, or IPA. IPA is safe for food service sanitation as long as intervening steps are taken to ensure zero contact with food products. This simply means that the cleaning solution (IPA in this case) needs to be properly rinsed off of food contact surfaces after sanitizing. IPA is a great sanitizer for food service for several reasons. IPA is affordable, available in bulk quantities, and is generally safe, with minimal safety gear required, when used properly. IPA is also the main ingredient in hand sanitizing products due to its ability to kill 99.9% of illness causing organisms when used in the proper ratios. For these reasons IPA is an obvious choice for sanitizing in food service. 

Benefits of IPA as Sanitizer For Food Service:

  • Affordable – When compared to other cleaning chemicals, IPA is one of the more affordable, and safe chemicals. Ecolink can provide high purity IPA for a competitive rate.
  • Bulk Availability – Ecolink can supply IPA in bulk quantities allowing for bulk pricing benefits and the convenience of always having enough product on hand.
  • Highly Effective – A mixture of 70% IPA to 30% purified water, creates a 99.9% effective sanitizing solution that can kill most viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other illness causing organisms that are transmitted on surfaces.
  • Safety –While IPA is flammable, and should never be consumed, when it is used properly, in a well ventilated area, it presents very little risk to the user.

Need Sanitizer For Food Service?

If you want to learn more about IPA or sanitizer for food service, contact Ecolink here. Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents that can help you find the best solvents for your needs!

What Is Reagent Grade Alcohol?

There are several different grades of alcohol including IPA, tech grade, and industrial grade, but what is reagent grade alcohol? Reagent grade alcohol is a very strong grade of denatured alcohol that is composed of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol. The different types of alcohol that make up reagent alcohol are distributed in the following ratio; 90% ethanol, 5% IPA, and 5% methyl alcohol. Reagent grade alcohol is typically used for laboratory use and scientific purposes such as tissue dehydration, biological sample preservation, and various types of experimentation and analysis. So what is reagent grade alcohol? Reagent grade alcohol is a specialized grade of alcohol that serves very specific scientific purposes, and if you need help deciding if reagent grade alcohol is right for your needs, Ecolink can help. 

Benefits of Shopping Reagent Grade Alcohol with Ecolink

  • Expert Advice – Ecolink and their knowledgeable team of experts are happy to work closely with their clients, to ensure they are purchasing the best chemicals for their particular needs, in addition to fully understanding the chemical products they purchase. 
  • High Quality – When shopping for chemicals, you want to be sure you are receiving a safe, stable, high purity substance, and that is exactly what you will receive when you work with Ecolink. Ecolink is a trusted, well known chemical supplier who not only provides the best quality chemicals, but also helps the client to understand all necessary use and safety information.
  • Affordability – Not only does Ecolink provide high quality chemicals for competitive, affordable prices, but Ecolink also offers bulk ordering options that allow for further savings.

Need more information on reagent grade alcohol?

What is reagent grade alcohol? Reagent grade alcohol is a strong, laboratory grade alcohol used for a variety of scientific purposes. If you need more help to better understand reagent grade alcohol, and if it is right for you, contact Ecolink here!

Is Acetone The Same As MEK?

The simple answer to the question, Is acetone the same as MEK, is no. While Acetone and MEK can be used for some of the same purposes, they are in fact two different chemical substances. It is also important to understand the differences between acetone and MEK when deciding which chemical is better for your needs. Both acetone and MEK can be used for industrial cleaning, paint thinning, extraction, and as additives, but in some cases one is better than the other. So is acetone the same as MEK? No, but if you need help deciding which of these solvents is better for your needs, Ecolink and their knowledgeable team of experts can help you understand and find the best solvent for your uses.

Acetone VS Mek Common Uses:

  • Cleaning – MEK is typically considered a better cleaning agent than acetone, as it evaporates slower than acetone and has a higher boiling point. This in turn makes MEK an overall stronger chemical, and preferred when cleaning or degreasing in industrial settings. 
  • Solvent – On the other hand, acetone is preferred as a solvent over MEK due to its ability to dissolve more compounds. For this reason Acetone is preferred in products such as paint thinners.
  • Inks – MEK Is preferred for use in inks and dry erase markers due to its evaporation rate.
  • Consumer Products – Acetone is typically more affordable than MEK, making it more commonly used in consumer goods like nail polish remover, in order to keep product costs low.

Is Acetone The Same As MEK And Which Is Better?

Acetone and MEK can be used for similar applications, but they are not the same. Secondly, both acetone and MEK are good chemicals for different uses. For more help deciding between acetone and MEK, contact Ecolink here. Ecolink is a long time, trusted provider of chemicals and solvents, who will provide high quality products for an affordable price. Contact Ecolink today to learn more. 

What Is MEK Used For

What is MEK used for and is it the right chemical for your needs? MEK is an extremely versatile chemical that is used in anything and everything including cleaning, degreasing, oil extraction, indirect food additives, lacquers, varnishes, inks, thinning agents, and so much more. Industries from furniture production to aerospace engineering all use MEK for its various abilities from simple cleaning properties to important additive ingredient functions. If you are wondering if MEK can be used in your industry, and if it is the best option for you, Ecolink can help you understand MEK and decide if it is the right chemical solvent for your needs. 

What Is MEK Used For Most Commonly:

  • Oil Extraction – MEK is used in the extraction process of fats, oils, and resins. MEK is a popular solvent for this use due to its evaporation rate, and ability to extract larger amounts of oil than other solvents that evaporate at different rates.
  • Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing – MEK is a very potent solvent that has the ability to easily cut through hardened resins, grease, and other build up that can gum up industrial machinery. Cleaning machinery with MEK after use, effectively removes debris and build up that can cause costly damage to machinery.
  • Ink Production – MEK is used as an additive in the production of inks used for printing processes, dry erase markers, and more. 
  • Paint Thinner – MEK is also used in various paint thinners and stripping agents used in building or refurbishing furniture. 
  • Food Additive – MEK is even an FDA approved, indirect food additive. MEK is cleared to be used as an indirect additive ingredient for adhesives and polymers used with food products. 

Want More Info On MEK Uses?

If you want to learn more about what MEK is used for, or need help deciding if it is the right chemical for your needs, contact Ecolink here. Ecolink is a trusted provider of chemicals and solvents who provides high quality chemical products for a competitive price. Contact Ecolink today to learn more!