[Elecraft] 99.9 % alcohol

[John Marvin]

Anything above 95% or so requires processes beyond just distillation, 
i.e. you are getting into the lab grade region. Prices usually go up 
significantly for that.

Of course, in many states you can buy 190 proof Everclear (95% grain 
alcohol) at a liquor store.  Might be easier to find than lab grade 
alcohol.  One advantage is that since it is not denatured, the fumes are 
significantly less toxic.

Since alcohol is hydrophilic, it helps to evaporate the water that makes 
up the rest of the alcohol mixture. I suspect that getting much above 
90% doesn't yield significant improvement in evaporation time. But we 
obviously have examples here where using something higher than 90% would 
be more desirable if you are not spot cleaning and don't want to wait.

Regards,

John AC0ZG

On 7/14/2021 5:41 PM, brianpepperdine brianpepperdine wrote:
> I have no idea, obviously, what the USA market offers, but here we get 99.9%
> (not 90%) isoprophyl alcohol. So much the better re. less residue of course.
> Admittedly it was a bit hard to get at the beginning of the pandemic but that
> seemed resolved with a couple months.
>
> Ages past I had to ask the pharmacist for it and he decanted it from a large
> bottle behind the counter into a small bottle for me.
> He said you are either diabetic or into electronics, as I think that was the
> main call for it. Largely they sold the smaller percentage stuff for rubbing and
> sores.
> Here is is stocked on the shelf now already packaged, in the first aid area
> (right next to the alcohol swabs).
>
> If hard to find you might ask your pharmacist.. its possible they have it behind
> the counter for the real need purposes, or he can suggest if he can order-in.
> You never know. I doubt at this time now that there is any real supply shortage,
> IMHO"
>
> Brian VE3HI  Toronto
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