What is the Difference Between Industrial Alcohol and Absolute Alcohol?

The main difference between industrial alcohol and absolute alcohol lies in their purity levels. Here are the key differences:

• Industrial Alcohol: This type of alcohol can be methanol or ethanol with a purity level of around 95%. It is used in various industries for applications such as fuel alcohol lamps, preserving biological specimens, disinfecting laboratory equipment, and dissolving organic compounds. Denatured alcohol, which is either 95% or absolute, contains additives like methanol and isopropanol that render it unsafe to drink and exempt it from certain beverage taxes.
• Absolute Alcohol: Absolute alcohol, also known as absolute ethanol, has a purity level of between 99% and 100%. It is highly hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs water, making it an effective antiseptic and disinfectant. Absolute alcohol is used in various industries for purposes such as the manufacture of denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, lotions, colognes, and perfumes. It is also used as a solvent for non-polar organic compounds and as a reactant in chemical reactions.

In summary, the key difference between industrial alcohol and absolute alcohol is their purity levels, with industrial alcohol having a purity level of around 95% and absolute alcohol having a purity level of between 99% and 100%.

Comparative Table: Industrial Alcohol vs Absolute Alcohol

Here is a table summarizing the differences between industrial alcohol and absolute alcohol:

In summary, the key difference between industrial alcohol and absolute alcohol is their purity and intended use. Industrial alcohol is used in various industrial processes and can be either pure or denatured, while absolute alcohol is a highly pure form of ethanol, typically containing 99% or more purity, and is used in both industrial and laboratory settings.