Isopropyl Alcohol IPA CAS 67-63-0 Solvent Grade, Properties, Applications & Safety
Release time: 2026-08-27
Table of Contents
Solvent-grade Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA), also known as 2-propanol or isopropanol, is a fast-evaporating, water-miscible organic solvent widely utilized in industrial cleaning, coatings, inks, chemical processing, and selected electronics-cleaning applications. It offers an excellent balance of solvency, drying speed, and compatibility. Available with comprehensive batch documentation and flexible bulk packaging options, this solvent is a cornerstone chemical for global manufacturing facilities.
Base Information
- CAS No.: 67-63-0
- Chemical Name: Isopropyl Alcohol / Isopropanol / 2-Propanol
- Molecular Formula: C₃H₈O
- Grade: Solvent Grade
- Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
- Packaging: Drum / IBC / ISO Tank / Custom Packaging
- Documents: COA / SDS / TDS available on request
- Primary Action: [Request a Quote]
- Secondary Action: [Request COA & SDS]
What Is Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)?
For procurement professionals and chemical engineers, establishing the exact chemical identity and baseline physical properties is the first step in raw material qualification. This section breaks down the foundational science behind this versatile compound.
Chemical Identity
Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless, combustible liquid with a characteristic rubbing-alcohol odor. Chemically, it is classified as a secondary alcohol (the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to two other carbon atoms).
When sourcing, you may encounter several synonyms. It is crucial to understand that Isopropyl Alcohol and Isopropanol are exactly the same substance. Relying on CAS 67-63-0 is the most accurate way to confirm chemical identity across different suppliers and regions. However, the CAS number only confirms the substance, not the quality or purity grade. Common nomenclature includes IPA, 2-Propanol, Propan-2-ol, and sec-Propyl alcohol.
Key Physical and Chemical Properties
Understanding the physical behavior of this chemical is essential for process engineering and storage facility planning. Below are the typical reference values.
| Parameter | Typical Reference Value |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Molecular Formula | C₃H₈O |
| Molecular Weight | 60.095 g/mol |
| Boiling Point | Approx. 82.8°C / 181°F |
| Flash Point (Closed Cup) | Approx. 12°C / 53°F |
| Specific Gravity | Approx. 0.79 (at 20°C) |
| Vapor Density (Air = 1) | Approx. 2.07 |
| Water Solubility | Miscible in all proportions |
| Primary Hazard | Highly flammable liquid and vapor; vapors may accumulate in low areas |
Note: The OSHA-referenced data notes a boiling point of 181°F, specific gravity of 0.79, flash point of 53°F, and an explosive limit range in the air of 2.0% to 12.7%. These parameters explain its fast-drying nature and volatility, making it highly effective for cleaning, but also dictate strict hazardous material handling protocols.
Why Choose IPA as an Industrial Solvent?
This chemical bridges the gap between highly polar solvents (like water) and non-polar solvents, making it exceptionally versatile. However, successful integration into an industrial process requires understanding how it interacts with specific contaminants and substrates.
Solvency and Cleaning Performance
Solvent grade isopropanol exhibits excellent solvency and cleaning performance for a broad spectrum of industrial soils. It effectively dissolves light oils, greases, certain resins, flux residues, and ink components. Because it is completely miscible with water, it is frequently used to prepare custom-concentration cleaning systems or utilized in moisture displacement processes to dry complex mechanical parts rapidly.
While its relatively fast evaporation rate helps shorten drying times and increases production throughput, this volatility also means higher evaporation losses during open-tank operations. Consequently, engineers must balance cleaning efficiency with adequate ventilation and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) management. It is important to note that actual decontamination and dissolving efficacy heavily depend on the specific contaminant, resin system, substrate material, ambient temperature, contact time, and the solvent’s inherent water content.
Evaporation, Residue and Moisture Considerations
For process engineers, higher-purity is not automatically the best choice; over-specifying can lead to unnecessary costs. The right grade depends on the allowable water content, nonvolatile residue limit, ionic contamination risk, odor requirements, substrate sensitivity, and final-process validation.
Engineer’s Grade Selection Checklist:
Before finalizing procurement, evaluate the following process requirements:
- What is the maximum allowable moisture/water limit in the final product?
- Is it strictly necessary to control Non-Volatile Matter (NVM) or residue after evaporation?
- Will the solvent interact with sensitive metals, specialized plastics, optical coatings, sealants, or rubber components?
- Does the application fall under electronics, optics, precision manufacturing, or high-cleanliness environments?
- Are there specific requirements for low ionic, low particulate, or trace metal controls?
- Must the facility comply with pharmacopeia standards, GMP regulations, specific client mandates, or third-party factory audits?
Solvent Grade IPA Specifications
Quality control relies on verifiable data. While generic descriptions claim high purity, industrial formulators require specific metric thresholds. The table below outlines standard testing parameters.
| Test Item | Typical Specification / Value | Procurement & Process Significance |
| IPA Assay / Purity | Min 99.5% – 99.9% | Directly impacts solvent performance, solvency power, and residue control. |
| Water Content | Max 0.1% – 0.2% (Karl Fischer) | Affects drying speed, moisture displacement efficacy, and formulation stability. |
| Appearance | Clear and free of suspended matter | Foundational release criteria; ensures physical baseline quality. |
| Acidity (as Acetic Acid) | Max 0.001% – 0.002% | Crucial for sensitive formulations, preventing corrosion and material incompatibility. |
| Non-Volatile Residue (NVR) | Max 0.002% (20 ppm) | Essential for precision cleaning, electronics, and coatings where films cannot be tolerated. |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | Max 10 | Helps control visual appearance in clear formulations and mitigates impurity risks. |
| Specific Gravity (20/20°C) | 0.785 – 0.787 | Acts as a fundamental reference parameter and incoming quality inspection tool. |
| Documentation | COA, SDS, TDS, Origin Certs. | Lowers supplier onboarding barriers and ensures regulatory compliance. |
Disclaimer: Typical values provided above are for reference only. Final product specifications, analytical test methods, and acceptance criteria are strictly subject to the applicable Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), and formally executed sales agreements.
How to Select the Right IPA Grade and Purity
Matching the chemical grade to the application is vital for both cost-efficiency and product safety. The table below clarifies the distinctions between various market offerings.
| Grade / Format | Typical Procurement Focus | Application Suitability |
| Solvent Grade | Purity, water content, color, acidity, NVR, and pricing stability. | Core Focus: Ideal for industrial cleaning, coatings, inks, and general chemical synthesis. |
| Industrial Grade | Basic chemical properties and strict cost control. | Suitable for heavy machinery cleaning, bulk stripping, and processes tolerant of minor impurities. |
| Electronic / High-Purity | Trace moisture, particulates, metal ions, NVR, and cleanroom packaging. | Required for semiconductor, PCB manufacturing, and advanced optical cleaning. (Evaluate carefully if solvent grade is sufficient). |
| USP / Pharmacopeia | Regulatory compliance, GMP, dedicated documentation, specialized packaging. | Strictly for pharmaceutical, medical device manufacturing, and human-contact cosmetics. |
| 70% Aqueous Solution | Water-alcohol ratio, specific final-use regulations (e.g., biocidal efficacy). | Ready-to-use surface wiping, general sanitation, and specific biological laboratory protocols. |
Applications of Solvent Grade IPA
Rather than functioning as a generic multi-purpose liquid, 2-propanol serves highly specialized roles across distinct manufacturing sectors.
Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing
It is a staple in maintenance and manufacturing facilities. It is utilized to degrease metal parts, sanitize industrial tools, wipe down equipment surfaces, and prepare components for final assembly. Its ability to cut through moderate oils while drying rapidly without leaving significant water behind makes it superior to aqueous cleaners in rust-sensitive environments.
Coatings, Paints and Inks
In the formulation of surface treatments, it acts as a highly effective diluent and solvent. It helps adjust the viscosity of liquid inks, particularly flexographic and gravure printing inks. For paints and varnishes, it ensures proper resin solubility and optimizes the drying time (flash-off) of the coating on the substrate. Compatibility should always be verified via actual formulation testing.
Adhesives and Resin Processing
Many modern adhesive systems, including certain epoxies and contact cements, rely on solvent carriers. Propan-2-ol is used to dissolve tackifiers, thin resin mixtures to workable viscosities, and clean manufacturing vats and dispensing equipment after production runs.
Electronics and Precision Cleaning
While standard grades are used for general wipe-downs of chassis and housings, direct cleaning of Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) and sensitive microelectronics requires careful evaluation. The choice to use this tier for electronics cleaning strictly depends on the allowable limits for moisture, particulates, and metal ions. High-cleanliness applications usually necessitate an upgrade to dedicated electronic-grade products.
Chemical Manufacturing
Beyond physical dissolution, it serves as a critical reaction medium, extraction agent, and intermediate process solvent in organic synthesis. It is used in the production of derivatives like isopropyl acetate and various agricultural chemicals.
Laboratory and R&D Use
In analytical laboratories and pilot-scale research, it is utilized for glassware cleaning, mobile phase preparation (in non-critical chromatography), and general extraction procedures. R&D users must match their specific analytical methodologies to the purity standards of the purchased product.
IPA Safety, Storage and Handling
Because of its highly flammable nature, safety protocols cannot be compromised. This section provides an operational overview but does not replace the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Flammability and Fire Risks:
This chemical is a highly flammable liquid. Its flash point is approximately 53°F (12°C), meaning it can ignite at room temperature. Facilities must keep the product strictly away from heat sources, sparks, open flames, and potential static discharge. Grounding and bonding of containers during transfer is mandatory.
Ventilation and Vapor Management:
Because the vapor density is roughly twice that of air, vapors will sink and can travel considerable distances along the ground to ignition sources, causing flashback. Low-lying areas, pits, trenches, and unventilated confined spaces require specific environmental assessments to prevent vapor accumulation. Adequate mechanical exhaust ventilation is required in all handling zones.
Occupational Exposure:
Workers must use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including solvent-resistant gloves and eye protection. The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL-TWA) is 400 ppm (980 mg/m³), and the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL-STEL) is 500 ppm (1225 mg/m³). Note that local regulations may dictate stricter limits.
Emergency and Disposal:
In the event of a spill, fire, personnel exposure, or when determining waste disposal procedures, actions must be dictated by the most current version of the SDS, local environmental legislation, and site-specific EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) protocols.
Packaging, Documentation and Supply Capability
A reliable supply chain is as important as the chemical itself. We provide scalable supply solutions backed by verifiable quality documentation to ensure smooth import and manufacturing integration.
Available Packaging Options:
We accommodate various scale requirements, supplying only verified, industrial-standard containers:
- 160 kg / 200 kg Steel or HDPE Drums
- 1,000 Liter IBC Totes
- Bulk ISO Tanks
- Custom packaging available subject to volume and regulatory review.
Documentation and Compliance:
To lower procurement barriers and simplify quality audits, the following documents are supplied:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) compliant with GHS
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Batch traceability records and Certificate of Origin (COO)
Commercial and Logistics Expertise:
We operate as a primary export supplier, offering flexible commercial terms including FOB, CIF, and DDP (depending on the destination).
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Isopropyl Alcohol FAQ
Is isopropyl alcohol the same as IPA and isopropanol?
Yes. These are all common, interchangeable names for the exact same chemical compound. Regardless of whether it is referred to as 2-propanol or propan-2-ol, the standardized identifier for this substance globally is CAS 67-63-0.
What does solvent grade isopropyl alcohol mean?
“Solvent grade” indicates that the chemical is specifically manufactured and refined for industrial dissolution, heavy-duty cleaning, dilution, and chemical processing tasks. While it boasts high purity (often >99.5%), it is not subjected to the extreme micro-filtration required for semiconductors or the strict GMP regulatory controls required for pharmaceuticals. Final purity, water content, and impurities should always be verified against the supplier’s specific COA.
Can solvent grade IPA be used for electronics cleaning?
It depends entirely on the sensitivity of your electronics cleaning process. For general chassis wipe-downs or low-tech components, it is highly effective. However, for precision Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing or critical microelectronics, standard industrial grades may contain trace moisture, particulates, or metal ions that could cause shorts or corrosion. Precision applications typically require an evaluation of dedicated, ultra-high-purity electronic grades.