Products
| HS Code | 918873 |
| Product Name | Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade |
| Chemical Name | Isopropanol (2-propanol) in aqueous solution |
| Chemical Formula | C3H8O (IPA) + H2O (water) |
| Cas Number | 67-63-0 (IPA), 7732-18-5 (water) |
| Concentration | 50% isopropyl alcohol with water |
| Grade | Technical |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid |
| Odor | Characteristic sharp alcohol odor |
| Specific Gravity | 0.92 (approximate, at 20°C) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 80°C (176°F) |
| Melting Point | Approximately -32°C (-25°F) |
| Flash Point | Approximately 24°C (75°F) closed cup |
| Solubility | Miscible with water; soluble in most organic solvents |
| Vapor Density | 2.1 (vs air, based on isopropanol component) |
| Ph | Approximately neutral (6.0-7.0) |
As an accredited Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Packaged in a sturdy, labeled HDPE drum with secure closure, containing 1 liter of Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL for Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade: 80 x 200L drums on pallets, secured with hazard labels. |
| Shipping | Isopropyl Alcohol 50% is a flammable liquid (UN1219, Class 3) requiring hazardous materials shipping. Pack in approved containers, mark with proper labels, and provide shipping papers. Ground transport often mandates specific placarding and segregation. Air transport is restricted under IATA DGR. Comply with DOT/ADR regulations and ensure spill containment during transit. |
| Storage | Store isopropyl alcohol 50% technical grade in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Keep the container tightly closed and upright. Use approved, grounded containers and provide secondary containment to prevent spills. Segregate from oxidizing agents, acids, and incompatible materials. Ensure proper labeling and access to fire suppression equipment. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 2-3 years when stored in a tightly sealed container away from heat and ignition sources. |
Press-ready flexographic and gravure inks are adjusted at the press station with a 50 wt% aqueous isopropanol stream only when the technical-grade impurity profile is acceptable for non-food packaging or for food-contact packaging that will undergo downstream migration testing. The material is added incrementally at 3–7 wt% of total ink mass to reduce Zahn #2 efflux time from above 40 s to 22–28 s at 25 °C as determined by ASTM D4212. The isopropanol fraction lowers dynamic surface tension below the 38–42 dyn/cm surface energy of corona-treated polyethylene or polyester substrate, while the water fraction prevents the resin precipitation observed when anhydrous IPA is dosed directly into alkali-soluble acrylic or polyurethane ink systems. Above 10 wt% addition, retained water slows drying enough to create block resistance failures on roll-to-roll converted film if the inter-station hot-air tunnel is operated below 60–80 °C with dwell below 3–5 s. Transfer efficiency on ceramic anilox rolls at 200–360 lines/cm also declines because the film split at the nip becomes unstable. For food-contact flexible packaging, residual isopropanol and any impurities must be assessed against EU Regulation 10/2011 or FDA 21 CFR 175.300 before commercial approval.
In sheetfed offset presses, the press-ready fountain solution is dosed with 8–12 wt% of 50 wt% technical-grade isopropanol, producing an active isopropanol concentration of 4–6 wt%. This operating window lowers dynamic surface tension at the plate-water interface to 35–45 mN/m and permits a thin, continuous wetting film on the non-image area. Dosing beyond the window creates measurable process conflict. The alcohol fraction begins to strip the gum arabic or synthetic desensitizing layer from the plate, producing toning in the 50–70% halftone range within 2,000–5,000 impressions when plate-to-blanket squeeze exceeds 0.10–0.13 mm. The water fraction increases the aqueous phase volume in the ink-water emulsion, and the piled ink on oscillating rollers shows a visible water-in-ink break at addition levels above 12–15 wt%. Volatile organic compound emissions typically exceed common pressroom permit thresholds when active IPA in the fountain solution remains above 5 wt% unless the delivery is connected to a regenerative thermal oxidizer. Published data for exact conductivity shifts in 50 wt% technical-grade material across all fountain concentrate systems is limited; inline pH and conductivity must therefore be held at 4.8–5.5 and 800–1,800 μS/cm with correction tables verified for each concentrate. Final sheet control follows ISO 12647-2 for tone value increase and print density, and plate wear is assessed after 50,000 impressions. The use of a 50% water-containing blend rather than anhydrous IPA does not remove the flammability classification of the pressroom solution; closed-cup flash point remains near 24 °C per ASTM D56.
Adhesive bonding of polyolefin, ABS, and PETG components prior to structural or semi-structural polyurethane adhesive application frequently fails at the substrate interface because of residual mold-release or processing oil. A 50 wt% aqueous isopropanol wipe is placed after alkaline detergent washing to remove light hydrocarbon films while the water fraction carries ionic residues away from the surface and reduces the smearing that occurs with neat solvent wipes. The procedure uses a hydroentangled polyester-cellulose nonwoven and is aligned with ASTM D2093-17 for plastic surface preparation. After the wipe, surfaces are force-dried with 0.2–0.3 MPa filtered air for 30–60 s; contact-angle goniometry is required because visual inspection cannot reliably detect sub-monolayer contamination. Polypropylene pretreated to 38–44 dyn/cm is particularly sensitive to wipe-to-wipe variation in water content, and talc-filled polypropylene can redeposit filler at the joint edge. Polyamide substrates should be dried immediately or excluded because the aqueous phase is absorbed and plasticizes the surface layer. Final adhesive performance is verified by ASTM D3163 single-lap shear for rigid plastics rather than by a generic visual cleanliness standard. For medical device housings, ISO 10993-1 biological evaluation applies to the finished device after the technical-grade IPA has been fully evaporated.
Compliance and process-control reference matrix for the above applications:
| Application | Normative reference | Controlled endpoint | Operating boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexo ink viscosity on press | ASTM D4212 | Zahn #2 efflux time | 22–28 s at 25 °C |
| Sheetfed offset fountain solution | ISO 12647-2 | Halftone dot gain, print density | Active IPA 4–6 wt% |
| Plastic surface preparation | ASTM D2093-17 | Residual film, contact angle | Wipe-and-force-dry cycle 30–60 s |
| Metal pre-paint degreasing | ASTM D2651 | Surface cleanliness before primer | Final dry wipe required; no aqueous residue |
| Glass cleaning before lamination | ASTM E2314 | Nonvolatile residue | Follow with 0.2 μm-filtered air dry |
Flat-glass processing for display lamination and automotive glazing uses 50 wt% technical-grade isopropanol in ultrasonic immersion baths at 40 kHz for 180 s to remove water-soluble salts and light handling oils from soda-lime and aluminosilicate substrates. The water fraction in the blend is less aggressive than anhydrous isopropanol on screen-printed silver frit and edge sealants, but it leaves a mineral haze if the bath is prepared with unpurified process water. Only deionized water with conductivity below 5 μS/cm is used for dilution, and the post-immersion rinse is also deionized. Drying is performed with 0.2 μm-filtered compressed air at 0.3–0.4 MPa; cleaning effectiveness is verified under ASTM E2314. Nonvolatile residue limits below 10 mg/m² are often specified in optical bonding lines, but published data for this specific aqueous grade is limited and must be confirmed for each glass supplier and coating stack. On antireflective-coated or ITO-coated glass, the aqueous component can penetrate exposed coating edges and initiate delamination; the material is therefore restricted to uncoated surfaces, substrate-side cleaning, or fully sealed stacks. Polycarbonate optical parts are excluded from any IPA-water soak because stress crazing can develop at local tensile stress levels above 20 MPa, with chemical resistance confirmed by ASTM D543 when a new lot or geometry is introduced.
Methyl ethyl ketone and acetone have been widely used for pre-paint wipe-down of cold-rolled steel and aluminum, but their low flash points and high vapor pressure create operator exposure and fire-control burdens. Replacing them with 50 wt% aqueous isopropanol raises the closed-cup flash point to approximately 24 °C and lowers vapor pressure, yet the water fraction requires a longer forced-drying interval before primer application. The solution is suited to removal of light rust-preventive oils, fingerprints, and light particulate contamination from steel or aluminum surfaces that have already passed an alkaline degreasing stage; it does not remove weld scale, carbonized drawing compounds, or heavy phosphate residues. Wiping is followed by dry compressed air at 0.3–0.4 MPa, and the surface is checked visually under ISO 8502-3 for dust and tape-pull residue before primer. Residual water on the metal surface must be eliminated because it contributes to osmotic blistering when the coated part is exposed to relative humidity above 75% during cure. Primer adhesion is verified by ASTM D3359 cross-cut tape pull, and salt-spray resistance is evaluated according to ISO 9227 for the specified service exposure. The liquid remains classified as a flammable liquid under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 because the closed-cup flash point remains below 37.8 °C, even though the aqueous dilution reduces total VOC inventory relative to neat ketone wipes.
The point at which 50 wt% technical-grade isopropanol enters the let-down stage of a waterborne acrylic primer has a greater influence on final film performance than the absolute loading. Addition at 2–5 wt% of total formulation mass extends open time, suppresses foaming during spray application, and reduces minimum film formation temperature during application at substrate temperatures as low as 10 °C. The alcohol fraction accelerates water release from the wet film surface; the water fraction maintains viscosity stability after ammonia adjustment to pH 8.5–9.0. The addition is made after pigment dispersion and after the addition of associative thickener, because early addition during high-shear grinding can destabilize pigment wetting and produce grit. Spray viscosity is adjusted to 25–35 s efflux time using a Zahn #2 cup per ASTM D4212. Above 5 wt% total loading, the dried film remains water-sensitive for 48–72 h and can exhibit blocking under ASTM D4946 test conditions. Drying and recoat interval are evaluated under ASTM D1640 at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5% relative humidity. Wood primer and MDF edge sealer formulations using this grade must not be force-dried in unventilated ovens above 40 °C because the vapor concentration can reach the lower flammability limit before the water fraction evaporates.
Competitive Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.
For samples, pricing, or more information, please contact us at +8618136850665 or mail to sales4@ascent-chem.com.
We will respond to you as soon as possible.
Tel: +8618136850665
Email: sales4@ascent-chem.com
Flexible payment, competitive price, premium service - Inquire now!
Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade is an aqueous dilution of technical-grade propan-2-ol in which the alcohol component is controlled between 49.0–51.0% v/v and the balance is demineralized water carrying the residual process impurities of the parent technical alcohol. The alcohol is propan-2-ol, CAS 67-63-0; water is CAS 7732-18-5. The product does not carry a universal model designation under an ISO or EN standard; supplier batch identification typically uses an internal code such as IPA-50-TG or IPATECH-50 and includes the certificate-of-analysis lot number. Standard industrial packaging comprises 200 L high-density polyethylene drums and 1000 L intermediate bulk containers, commonly fitted with dry-break fittings to reduce vapour loss during closed transfer. This product is a formulated industrial solvent, not a refined analytical reagent or a sanitizer-grade finished product.
The quality profile of Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade is not defined by a single pharmacopoeial monograph. The most relevant parent standard for the anhydrous technical precursor is ASTM D770-11, Standard Specification for Isopropyl Alcohol, but ASTM D770-11 does not directly cover a 50% aqueous technical dilution; therefore, suppliers apply a modified certificate-of-analysis template. Table 1 lists indicative control limits for routine release.
| Parameter | Test method | Typical release limit |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Visual inspection | Clear, colorless, free of suspended matter |
| Isopropanol concentration | Gas chromatography or density via ASTM D4052 | 49.0–51.0% v/v |
| Water content | ASTM D1364 Karl Fischer titration | Balance, typically 49.0–51.0% w/w |
| Density at 20 °C | ASTM D4052 | 0.905–0.925 g/cm³ |
| Color, Pt-Co | ASTM D1209 | ≤ 10 |
| Acidity as acetic acid | ASTM D1613 | ≤ 0.002 wt% |
| Non-volatile residue | ASTM D1353 | ≤ 0.010 wt% |
| Water miscibility | Dilution check | Passes 1:1 dilution with deionized water at 20 °C |
Because published data for this specific 50% technical configuration is limited, the tabulated ranges should be read as representative supplier controls rather than universal specification maxima. Variations in the parent technical alcohol and the demineralized water source can shift non-volatile residue, acidity, and trace aldehyde levels. Dense phase thermodynamic properties are therefore determined by lot-specific density and Karl Fischer data rather than by a fixed formula.
The density of a 50% aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution at 20 °C is commonly reported between 0.905 g/cm³ and 0.925 g/cm³ when the batch basis is volume/volume. The value must be read against the certificate because volume contraction on mixing means that weight/weight and volume/volume definitions produce different density and assay results. The closed-cup flash point is higher than that of anhydrous technical isopropanol; supplier safety data sheets for 50% v/v IPA commonly list a Tag closed-cup flash point near 24 °C, but the exact value depends on the alcohol content and residual impurities. The mixture therefore remains flammable and is typically classified as a Category 3 flammable liquid under GHS when the flash point falls between 23 °C and 60 °C. Vapour pressure at 20 °C is lower than that of 99% technical IPA, which slows evaporation and extends wet time on metal and glass surfaces. This wet time increase is a critical processing difference in manual wipe-down and automated spray-cleaning lines because residual water films require additional drying energy. The boiling curve of 50% aqueous IPA does not pass through an azeotrope; distillation from an open vessel enriches the vapour phase in isopropanol relative to water. The freezing point is depressed relative to water, but not to the same extent as anhydrous propan-2-ol, and process lines operating below 0 °C should be validated by measuring viscosity at the lowest planned operating temperature.
In process lines, the concentration of 50% technical IPA can be monitored by density, refractive index, or Karl Fischer titration. Density measured by ASTM D4052 is rapid but cannot distinguish isopropanol from other low-density organic contaminants; refractive index is similarly affected by impurity profile. Karl Fischer titration according to ASTM D1364 measures water content directly and is the preferred correction when the batch basis is weight/weight. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection can quantify isopropanol and simultaneously document low-boiling impurities such as acetone, methanol, or ethyl acetate carried from the parent technical stream. For applications where non-volatile residue is critical, the ASTM D1353 residue test should be performed after evaporation on a water bath at 100 °C and compared with the specification limit; a sudden upward trend may indicate storage tank contamination or rust carryover.
Isopropyl Alcohol 50% Technical Grade is selected for industrial soil removal and process dilution where water is tolerated. It is not purified to the residue, aldehyde, ultraviolet absorbance, or ionic limits required for ACS reagent alcohol, USP alcohol, or semiconductor-grade solvent cleaning. Table 2 summarizes the differentiation against common alcohol grades.
| Grade | Assay | Water content | Primary impurity control | Representative use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% technical | 49.0–51.0% v/v | Balance | Non-volatile residue, acidity, color | Industrial cleaning, resin dilution where water is tolerated |
| 99% technical anhydrous | ≥ 98.5% v/v | ≤ 1.0% | Organic impurities, residue | Solvent cleaning, coatings, fuel additive |
| ACS reagent | ≥ 99.5% | ≤ 0.1% | UV absorbance, aldehydes, residue | Analytical chemistry, residue-free cleaning |
| USP | ≥ 99% | Low controlled | Pharmacopoeial monograph impurities | Pharmaceutical processing |
| 70% v/v IPA | 68.0–72.0% v/v | Balance | Biocidal formulation impurities | Surface disinfection, hand sanitizer |
| Electronics grade | ≥ 99.8% | ≤ 0.05% | Ionic residues, trace metals | Semiconductor and circuit assembly cleaning |
The higher water fraction in 50% technical IPA raises the dielectric constant of the solvent blend, making it more aggressive toward polar residues and less effective on heavy hydrocarbon oils, paraffinic greases, and silicone films than 99% technical IPA. In residue-sensitive electronics cleaning, technical-grade 50% IPA is generally unsuitable because non-volatile residue and ionic contamination from the parent technical alcohol can produce leakage currents and visible residues on printed circuit assemblies. For a 70% v/v IPA sanitizing solution, the water content is usually optimized for microbial cell-wall penetration within a 60–80% v/v alcohol band; 50% technical grade is not interchangeable with that sanitizing configuration unless the specific biocidal product registration authorizes its use.
Industrial cleaning with 50% technical IPA is usually conducted in 304 or 316L stainless steel wash vessels, high-density polyethylene wipe stations, or polypropylene agitated dip tanks. Because the water fraction promotes corrosion of plain carbon steel, equipment with carbon steel pump bodies or steel mechanical-seal springs has shown accelerated wear and iron discoloration in production-scale aqueous IPA service. Transfer systems are therefore specified with stainless steel gear pumps or air-operated double-diaphragm pumps using polytetrafluoroethylene wetted parts. At transfer rates above 200 L/min into large holding tanks, bonding and grounding are required; aqueous alcohol conductivity is higher than anhydrous isopropanol but not sufficient to eliminate static charge accumulation under free-fall filling conditions. Filtration to 10 µm is typical for spray-wash systems to prevent nozzle clogging by particulates inherited from less-refined technical alcohol.
Low-pressure centrifugal pumps with carbon steel volutes and grey cast iron impellers are not recommended for 50% aqueous IPA because water-induced corrosion raises iron content and shortens mechanical seal life. Positive-displacement stainless steel gear pumps are preferred for low-flow dosing below 20 L/min, while air-operated double-diaphragm pumps with PTFE or PVDF wetted parts are used for drum and IBC transfer. Elastomer compatibility should be verified against supplier chemical resistance tables; ethylene propylene diene monomer and fluoroelastomer seals are generally more resistant than natural rubber or polyurethane. Hoses should be cross-linked polyethylene or PTFE-lined stainless braid for continuous service. For storage tanks, 316L stainless steel or high-density polyethylene is preferred; aluminium is not universally compatible with aqueous technical alcohol and may require corrosion inhibitor testing if long-term contact is planned.
Although the blend already contains approximately 49.0–51.0% water, storage in hot, humid environments can still shift the alcohol concentration downward through vapour-phase exchange if containers are left open. Closed containers should be sealed after each withdrawal, and bulk tanks should be fitted with pressure-vacuum vents with desiccant cartridges or pad-nitrogen to reduce water absorption and flammable vapour accumulation. The product should be kept away from strong oxidizers, strong acids, and strong bases; contact with concentrated sulfuric acid or sodium hypochlorite solutions can generate acetone, volatile oxygenates, or other oxidation products under uncontrolled exothermic conditions. Long-term storage in carbon steel is not recommended because iron contamination increases non-volatile residue and can interfere with subsequent coating or adhesive bonding operations. The product is miscible with water in all proportions at ambient temperature, so phase separation is not an operational concern; however, viscosity rises at low temperatures and should be considered for outdoor storage in winter conditions.
Water tolerance, not alcohol concentration alone, determines whether 50% technical IPA can be used as a solvent or diluent in polymer and coating formulations. Water-reducible acrylic resins, shellac solutions, and some phenolic novolac systems accept moderate water content without phase separation. Systems containing water-sensitive crosslinkers such as isocyanate-cured urethanes or epoxy-amine hardeners may prematurely react or gel when moisture is introduced; such systems require anhydrous IPA with water content below 1.0 wt%. In flexographic and gravure ink dilutions where water is already part of the solvent mixture, 50% technical IPA reduces the alcohol content per unit volume and changes drying profile. The addition should be made incrementally under agitation, and viscosity should be monitored with a rotational viscometer such as a Brookfield spindle device at the coating application temperature. Published data for this specific 50% technical configuration in advanced resin systems is limited; therefore, laboratory-scale water-tolerance and cure-behaviour testing is required before production substitution.
In metal finishing lines, 50% technical IPA is used as a pre-cleaning wipe solvent where water-break-free surface condition is required before adhesive bonding or liquid painting. However, the water content means that after evaporation of the alcohol fraction, a thin aqueous film may remain; this water film can interfere with adhesion if the surface is not dried by forced air or vacuum. A water-break test is commonly applied after cleaning, in which rinsing water must sheet and drain continuously from the surface without beading. The test method is described by ASTM F22. For 50% technical IPA, the cleaned surface should be dried with filtered compressed air at 40–60 °C and immediately processed to prevent flash oxidation. This procedure is standard in metal fabrication lines, but specific compatibility with conversion-coated surfaces should be tested because aqueous alcohol can extract water-soluble chromate or phosphate species from freshly applied conversion films.
Regulatory classification depends on the actual flash point and the jurisdiction. A blend with a closed-cup flash point between 23 °C and 60 °C is classified as a flammable liquid Category 3 under the Globally Harmonized System; transportation may be assigned UN 1993 for flammable liquid n.o.s. when the flash point does not meet the UN 1219 isopropanol entry criteria. The final classification must be verified against the lot-specific safety data sheet. Under EU REACH, isopropanol itself is registered and the diluted technical product is handled as a mixture; downstream users are responsible for exposure scenario compliance. The material is not intended for applications governed by 21 CFR food-contact or USP pharmaceutical monographs unless the supplier provides explicit regulatory documentation. Waste streams containing technical IPA should be disposed of as industrial solvent waste in accordance with local regulations; incineration, distillation recovery, or licensed solvent recycling are common management routes.