Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl Alcohol: A Key Solvent for Multiple Applications and Industry Updates

Product Introduction and Technical Specifications

Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA), with the chemical formula C3H8O, is a colorless, transparent, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor and high volatility. It is widely used in industrial, pharmaceutical, and electronics fields. Its core characteristics include:

Technical Specifications: Purity is typically classified as industrial grade (≥99%) and high-purity grade (≥99.9%). Density is approximately 0.785 g/cm³, boiling point 82.5℃, flash point 11℃ (flammable), and pH is neutral. High-purity isopropyl alcohol has strict impurity control, such as metal ion content below 1 ppm and moisture content ≤0.1%, ensuring reliability in precision environments.

Specifications:Product forms include liquid drums (25L, 200L) and bulk transportation. Packaging materials must meet corrosion-resistant standards. Industrial grade is suitable for cleaning and manufacturing, while high-purity grade is used in electronics and pharmaceuticals, ensuring no residue and high performance. Product Application Scenarios: Isopropanol's solubility, volatility, and bactericidal capabilities make it a top choice for many industries:

Industrial Cleaning: In electronics manufacturing, it's used to clean circuit boards and components, removing grease and dust and preventing electrostatic damage.

Pharmaceutical Disinfection: 70%-80% concentration isopropanol solutions are highly effective disinfectants used on skin, medical devices, and hospital environments to kill bacteria and viruses.

Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: As a solvent and extractant, it helps extract active ingredients and is used in perfume, lotion, and pharmaceutical production.

Automotive and Fuel: As a gasoline additive, it improves octane rating and combustion efficiency; it's also used in automotive glass cleaners to enhance cleaning power.

Industry Status and Capacity: By 2025, the global isopropanol market is steadily growing. China, as a major producer, has a capacity of approximately 1.128 million tons, but the industry faces challenges of overcapacity and price volatility. In the first half of the year, domestic isopropanol prices fluctuated downwards, with the average price in Jiangsu province decreasing by 22.57% year-on-year. Capacity utilization was less than 50%, mainly due to falling raw material acetone prices and weak demand. Although supply increased by 7.35% year-on-year, demand growth failed to keep pace, putting downward pressure on market prices. Looking ahead, with the release of new capacity, supply pressure is expected to increase further, intensifying industry competition.

Product Application Areas

Isopropanol is used in several key areas:

Electronics and Precision Manufacturing: Used for cleaning semiconductors and optical components to ensure product purity.

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Indispensable in pharmaceuticals and hospitals as a disinfectant and pharmaceutical excipient.

Chemicals and Materials: Used in the production of coatings, inks, and adhesives to improve product performance.

Automotive and Energy: Used as a gasoline additive and car care product to optimize engine efficiency and cleaning effects.

How to Choose the Right Specifications? When selecting isopropanol, consider the following factors:

Purity Requirements: High purity (≥99.9%) is required for the electronics and pharmaceutical industries, while industrial grade (≥99%) is suitable for industrial cleaning.

Cost-Performance Balance: High-purity products are more expensive but reduce residue and improve efficiency; industrial grade is less expensive and suitable for large-scale applications.

Supplier Reputation: Choose qualified suppliers with a good reputation to ensure product quality and stable supply.

Technical Support and Service: Prioritize suppliers that provide technical guidance and after-sales service to help solve application problems.

Case Studies: Successful application cases of isopropanol in various industries include:

Electronics Manufacturing Companies: An electronics company used high-purity isopropanol to clean circuit boards, significantly improving product yield and production efficiency.

Pharmaceutical Companies: Pharmaceutical companies use isopropanol as a disinfectant and solvent to ensure that drug production meets hygiene standards.

Automotive Parts Suppliers: Cleaning automotive components with isopropanol improves product performance and customer satisfaction.