Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
(OP)

I am looking for an alternative for isopropanol. We are currently using this for its antifreeze properties, in the washer bottles of our vehicles.
I am looking for a cost effective alternative, which must have the following characteristics:
1)It must be water soluble
2)It must be clear
3)It must either be odourless, or have a pleasant odour
4)It must be non-toxic
The reason for not sticking with isopropanol, is a two fold one. The company we are purchasing this chemical from, is no longer keeping this on its product list, and we are using an expensive solvent as an anti freeze.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. (I'm a little out of my element when it comes to chemistry).
Regards
Trevor





RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
How much % mass isopropyl alcohol have you used ?
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
The current product is mixed 1 part isopropanol to 2 parts water. (33% solution)
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
The following website gives freezing points of all these mixtures in water: http:/
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
Please can you explain what you mean by "H&S issues"? Are you refering to health and safety issues?
Thanks for the web link. It is very informative. I also see from the tables, that a concentration of 33% isopropanol will only suppress the freeze point to -15 degrees celcius.
Methanol although it does have a lower freezing point, has a flash point of 35 degrees celcius. Bad news for me, because the washer bottle, is in the engine compartment.
I will probably end up going with the ethalene glycol mixture.
Thanks
Trevor Musliah
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
However, of the solutions that depress the water freezing point by 15oC the IPA-water solutions have the lowest (!), simply because of the higher proportion of alcohol in the mix.
For -15oC freezing point the alcohol-water solutions are:
IPA, 1:2 Fl Pt: 21oC
Ethanol, 1:3 Fl Pt: 32oC
Methanol, 1::4 Fl Pt: 45oC
The subject of H&S, in particular toxicity and flammability, must always be taken into account whatever the alcohol one selects.
Compatibility of the solvents with rubbers or plastics should also be considered.
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
Adding ammonia to water will lower the freezing point quite a bit also, and is the formula used by most commercial glass/window cleaners.
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
If you were happy with the use of isopropanol, why look for an alternative simply because your usual supplier no longer carries it? Isopropanol is a very common alcohol and you should be able to find an alternative supplier quite easily ... probably easier than finding an alternative anti-freeze.
Many drugstores (at least in the USA) sell isopropanol as a rubbing alcohol. Perhaps you could ask one of them who their supplier is. Or contact a chemical supply company listed in your local phone book's business section.
Milton Beychok
(Contact me at www.air-dispersion.com)
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
Yes, and a pity too that "non-toxicity" is listed. Of the earlier quoted candidate materials, only propylene glycol could be considered truly non-toxic, the rest are all systemic toxins. Of course, who'd want to drink windshield washer fluid? But then, that presumes common sense.
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
Note also, that the freezing point depression you're asking for usually requires a high (>50%) concentration EG or PG, compounding the EG hazardous material situation. Additionally, at -40ÂșC, both of these have increasing viscosity and your pump might not have enough oomph to move the liquid.
Since you appear to be satisfied with the existing solution and its associated FP depression, I wonder what the rationale is for requiring the additional FP depression?
TTFN
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
It is not the anti-freeze effect, or the vaporization of the solvent, but the addition of some detergent to the washing solution that ensures the windshield cleaning effect with help from the wiper blades.
Even non-denatured ethyl alcohol, depending on its manufacturing and refining procedures, may contain some methanol, IPA, and benzene.
Thus, besides causing inebriation upon drinking them, ethyl alcohol windshield-cleaning solutions may be toxic indeed.
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
You are on to something. Put wiskey in the windshield washer fluid bottle. Then if you break down some where you are able to just sit back, drink some windshield washer fluid and wait.
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative
> depressed freezing point allows the fluid to actually get to the windshield
> same effect allows the fluid to liquify the frozen ice already there
> same effect prevents the fluid itself from freezing onto the windshield.
From personal experience, I've learned not to use windshield wipre fluid that doesn't contain alcohol in subfreezing weather. Nothing worse than trying to remove a teensy layer of frost from the windshield and wind up with a big frozen mass of wiper fluid on the windshield.
TTFN
RE: Isopropanol (CAS # 67630) alternative