Isopropyl Alcohol, also known as Isopropanol, IPA, or 2-Propanol, is the most used solvent for cleaning electronics. It is a polar protic solvent, so it can be used to clean ionic residues, and it is good at dissolving both polar and non-polar residues. It is safe on most painted surfaces, plastics, and elastomers. It leaves no residue, evaporates quickly relative to water, and does not cause corrosion. It is low toxicity compared to alternative solvents and is similarly relatively environmentally benign, being ozone safe with excellent “green solvent” scores.
In its pure form, IPA is both anhydrous, hydroscopic, and fully miscible with water, so it can be used to scavenge moisture and dehumidify surfaces. It also has a low surface tension, so it wets easily, making it an effective cleaner.
MG Chemicals supplies IPA for the purpose of cleaning electronics. We offer IPA in 99.9% and 70% and in a choice of liquid, aerosol, or presaturated wipe formats.
Features and Benefits
- Safe on most plastics and elastomers
- Fast dry time
- Zero residue
- Low toxicity
- Low surface tension
Applications
Isopropyl Alcohol is effective at removing oils, light greases, ink, grime, oxides, solder paste residues, adhesives residues, and flux residues. It is recommended for cleaning any of the following:
- Audio, video, magnetic, and optical heads
- Cables
- Electrical contacts and connectors
- Fiber optic connectors
- Optical equipment
- Precision instruments
- Printed circuit boards
- Production equipment and workstations
- Smart phones, pads, laptops, keyboards, and office equipment
- SMT stencils and screens
- Surfaces being prepared for coating application
FAQ
Will isopropyl alcohol evaporate in the freezer?
Yes, isopropyl alcohol will evaporate in a typical home freezer if it is not held in an air tight, sealed container. Isopropyl alcohol only freezes at temperatures under -128 °F (-89 °C). However, most home freezers units don’t reach temperatures under -4°F (-20 °C).
