Does Isopropyl Alcohol Burn Clean?
Isopropyl alcohol does burn, easily, but we found no official source that says it burns clean. CDC NIOSH lists it as a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of 53°F, and the ILO/WHO safety card says heating it can release irritating fumes and flammable and toxic gas.
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Rubbing Alcohol Dilution Chart (PDF)
How much 99%, 91% or 70% rubbing alcohol and water to mix for a 70% or 60% cleaning solution, for 100, 250 and 500 ml. Every line shows its source and the date we read it. Print it or keep it on your phone.
- Ready-made amounts for 99%, 91% and 70% bottles
- The 60-90% range the CDC gives for alcohol disinfectants, and safety notes
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How easily it catches fire
CDC NIOSH classes isopropyl alcohol as a Class IB flammable liquid: flash point below 73°F and boiling point at or above 100°F. Its flash point is listed as 53°F, so at room temperature it gives off enough vapor to ignite from a spark or flame. The ILO/WHO safety card gives 11.7°C (closed cup) and an auto-ignition temperature of 456°C.
Vapor can explode
NIOSH lists explosive limits of 2.0% to 12.7% in air. The ILO/WHO card says vapor mixes readily with air and forms explosive mixtures, and that contact with strong oxidizers risks explosion. NIOSH also lists chlorine, acids and isocyanates as incompatible.
“Clean” is not an official claim
Neither page describes the smoke or residue from burning isopropyl alcohol as clean. The only related statement is that when heated it decomposes into “irritating fumes and flammable and toxic gas.” Do not burn it indoors or in a closed space.
Handling and fires
- Store it closed, cool and fireproof, away from strong oxidizers.
- The ILO/WHO card lists water, powder, alcohol-resistant foam or carbon dioxide for fires.
- Rubbing alcohol is usually a diluted product (CDC cites 60% to 90% solutions in water as the best disinfectant range), but it is still flammable.
For safe use, read the product label. If there is a fire, call emergency services.
People also ask
Is isopropyl alcohol flammable?
Yes. CDC NIOSH lists it as a Class IB flammable liquid with a flash point of 53°F.
What temperature does isopropyl alcohol ignite at?
The ILO/WHO safety card lists an auto-ignition temperature of 456°C and a closed-cup flash point of 11.7°C.
What puts out an isopropyl alcohol fire?
The ILO/WHO card lists water, powder, alcohol-resistant foam or carbon dioxide. In a real fire, call emergency services.
Sources
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