UK Translation please.....?

Denatured Alcohol is ethanol alcohol with foul tasting additives to prevent people from drinking it. Isoproponol is really just a short form of Isopropyl Alcohol. You should be able to find it at your "chemists" as Rubbing Alcohol, though I thought it was called Isoproply Alcohol in the UK? I suggest finding the 99% rather than the 70%. Actually I call the 70% Denatured and the 99% Isopropyl.

Distilled water is water that has been heated to steam then the condensation is collected. This removes mineral and impurities. It is similar to but not exactly the same as deionized water, which is water that has merely had the salts removed. I use distilled water as a final cleaning step with my airbrush, as I live in a hard water area and have no wish for my airbrush to clog up with calcium.You can make your own by boiling water for 10 minutes, then letting it sit overnight, then decanting it into another container by siphoning it leaving the bottom inch or so (2.54cm).

Bgrigg is not quite right on the alcohols...

From a chemistry standpoint, an alcohol is a molecule that has an -OH group in it.

Ethanol is the alcohol form of ethane, which has 2 carbon atoms, and the primary constituent of denatured alcohol.

Propanol is the alcohol form of propane, which has 3 carbon atoms.  In addition, 2 forms of propane exist, since the alchohol group can either be attached to the middle or end carbon atom; isopropanol is when the alcohol group is attached to the middle atom.

I've never used denatured alcohol, so I'm unable to say if there is any functional difference between it and isopropanol, but there is at the molecular level.

At last I've found a use for all water I (er wife) throws away from the condenser tumble dryer.

Scott

ckfredrickson wrote:

Bgrigg is not quite right on the alcohols... From a chemistry standpoint, an alcohol is a molecule that has an -OH group in it. Ethanol is the alcohol form of ethane, which has 2 carbon atoms, and the primary constituent of denatured alcohol. Propanol is the alcohol form of propane, which has 3 carbon atoms.  In addition, 2 forms of propane exist, since the alchohol group can either be attached to the middle or end carbon atom; isopropanol is when the alcohol group is attached to the middle atom. I've never used denatured alcohol, so I'm unable to say if there is any functional difference between it and isopropanol, but there is at the molecular level.

Um…still not quite right, I'm afraid…

"Denatured alcohol" is an imprecise term, it can be one of two things: ethyl alcohol with a small addition of methyl alcohol, or just methyl alcohol. Methyl is alcohol with the structure of methane. Methyl alcohol is poisonous.

Ethyl alcohol is the stuff you drink—the "active" ingredient in beer, wine, and good ol' booze. (hic! haec! hoc!—how to be drunk in latin…). Much safer to use than denatured alcohol. A marvelous cleaning solvent, but some acrylics do not do well with too much of it, so I'd avoid using it as thinner. A commercially available (to those over the age of 21) name is "Everclear."

There is considerable functional difference between isopropyl alcohol and either methyl or ethyl alcohol. Of greatest interest to modelers is the caveat in the previous paragraph, and the difference in evaporation rate. Isopropyl evaporates much more slowly than either of the other two. As for differences between isopropyl alcohol (Synonyms: 2-hydroxypropane, 2-propanol, isopropanol, isopropyl alcohol, iso-propanol, iso-propyl alcohol, IPA, sec-propanol, sec-propyl alcohol, dimethylcarbinol, propan-2-ol, avantin, avantine, combi-schutz, rubbing alcohol, spectrar, sterisol, takineocol, virahol) and 1-propanol ( Synonyms: propan-1-ol, n-propanol, n-propyl alcohol, propanol)  they exist, but it is probable that you will never encounter the latter, as it is more toxic and has caused cancer in laboratory rats. The stuff you buy in the drugstore or supermarket is isopropyl alcohol

Note also that isopropanol is sold in different dilutions with water. The best for modeling purposes is 80 to 90 percent isopropyl alcohol.

ckfredrickson wrote:

Bgrigg is not quite right on the alcohols... From a chemistry standpoint, an alcohol is a molecule that has an -OH group in it. Ethanol is the alcohol form of ethane, which has 2 carbon atoms, and the primary constituent of denatured alcohol. Propanol is the alcohol form of propane, which has 3 carbon atoms.  In addition, 2 forms of propane exist, since the alchohol group can either be attached to the middle or end carbon atom; isopropanol is when the alcohol group is attached to the middle atom. I've never used denatured alcohol, so I'm unable to say if there is any functional difference between it and isopropanol, but there is at the molecular level.

*cough, cough* As a proud Canadian, and descendant of Highland Scots, I have an intimate knowledge of alcohol! LOL

However, ck  and Ross are right in correcting me. I have edited my original post to reflect what I was trying to say. I meant to delete the line "It is the same as Isopropyl Alcohol" which I have now done. This is what happens when you do cut and pastes without previewing! I think the edited post makes more sense now.

Denatured is Ethanol made unpalatable by additives (which may be Isopropyl!), but is more likely methane.

Isoproponal and Isopropyl Alcohol is the same thing. Propanol is a propane derived alcohol.

Thanks for your help.

Scott

Scott,

To make things a lot simpler, in the UK (and here in Australia) "denatured alcohol" is better known as methylated spirits and can be found (here at least) at your local grocery store. You've probably got some under the kitchen sink.  

I thought I was finished with chemestry! NOOOO!!!!!!

RadMax8 wrote:

I thought I was finished with chemestry! NOOOO!!!!!!

Nope. And you're not done with spelling, either: C-H-E-M-I-S-T-R-Y. Minus 5 points.

Man, my head hurts...

eizzle wrote:

Man, my head hurts...

I believe the proper phrase is:

"Teacher, my brain is full! Can I go home, now?"

Although, I admit, this being Friday evening, your cephalalgia may be the result of a high concentration of ethyl alcohol, a.k.a. Ethanol; Ethyl Hydrate; Grain Alcohol; Methyl Carbinol; Jaysol; Anhydrol…and by many other names to numerous to mention here.

Your very good health, sir!

Triarius wrote:

eizzle wrote: Man, my head hurts... I believe the proper phrase is: "Teacher, my brain is full! Can I go home, now?" Although, I admit, this being Friday evening, your cephalalgia may be the result of a high concentration of ethyl alcohol, a.k.a. Ethanol; Ethyl Hydrate; Grain Alcohol; Methyl Carbinol; Jaysol; Anhydrol…and by many other names to numerous to mention here. Your very good health, sir!

Actually teacher, I think its the drywall dust I've been inhaling all day and the loud chopsaws roaring away cutting metal studs But that Grain Alcohol doesn't sound like a bad plan either

Ah the good ol purple stuff.

Scott.