[Hallicrafters] Alcohols

[David C. Hallam]

Denatured alcohol is NOT methanol, AKA wood alcohol.  Denatured alcohol is
ethanol to which some substance has been added so that it is not fit to
drink.  Methanol is not a good solvent and that is not what is in shellac
thinner.  It is denatured ethanol.  Methanol is used in model airplane fuel
and used to be used for fuel in Indy cars.  I think CART also continued to
use it after their split from Indy.  Since they have reunited, they run
gasoline.

I as I remember from my college chemistry, gasoline was one of several
things used to denature ethanol.  Now we have turned about and are using
ethanol to denature gasoline.

David
KC2JD/4


> -----Original Message-----
> From: hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:hallicrafters-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Bob Kulow
> Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 11:25 AM
> To: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: RE: [Hallicrafters] Alcohols
>
>
> >
> > "99.9% Isopropyl"............. Is this is commonly known
> > as DENATURED
> > alcohol?
>
> No.  There are three different alcohols commonly used
>
> "Denatured alcohol" is normally Methyl alcohol (methanol),
> formula CH3OH.  Used for thinning shellac.  Poisonous,
> causes blindness.
>
> Ethyl alcohol (Vodka, et al) is CH3CH2OH and is different.
> It is sometimes "denatured" with unpalatable stuff to
> prevent it from being imbibed.
>
> Isopropyl alcohol, CH3CHOHCH3 (rubbing alcohol) is available
> in 3 varieties as mentioned in T C Dailey's e-mail:
> 1) Rubbing alcohol, 70% with stuff like glycerin added
> 2) Medical alcohol, 91%
> 3) Pure, 99.9%.  This is the stuff to use.  Evaporates
> quickly and leaves no residue.  I use it for, among other
> things, cleaning the image sensor in my digital SLR.  It's
> the ONLY kind to use for critical cleaning jobs where any
> residue is undesirable.
>
> 73
> Bob WA2UEH
>
>
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