Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
The subject says it all. Basically I'm waiting for my printer to arrive and trying to get prepared. I went out with a shopping list, but this is Taiwan and some things are hard to come by. I can't find isopropyl alcohol anywhere. I tried hardware stores, bot local ones and big chains, but they couldn't even tell me where to find it - a couple of guys looked at my like I was crazy. What I can get, and quite easily, is 95% ethyl alcohol. Can I use this instead, or will it cause problems?
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
A while back I was searching extensively between ipa and ethyl but I'm still wanting to know as you do.
Here's what I got from googling between them but not directly related to 3d printers
Ethyl works almost the same like ipa but it has water inside it, also bit longer to evaporate compared to ipa.
Ipa often used for general purpose disinfectant/cleaner yet expensive. Evaporates faster than ethyl and often used with electronics.
Out of 3d printer's topic about them is that on vapes, both can be used but cleaning with ehtyl will take longer like stated above compared to ipa, if not enough time given to evaporate on ethyl, the vape will taste weird. On electronics, it is best to avoid using ethyl.
Do correct me if I'm wrong between these 2.
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
I would stick with the recommended alcohol.
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
I use Ethyl because it is cheaper and avaiable.
It works fine for me during the last 2 years
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
I'm assuming you mean to clean the buildplate, not removing stickers or something?
I'm using those packaged moistened glass cleaning wipes - you know, for eyeglasses or monitors - they're intended to wipe away grease and fat from fingers while hopefully not leaving any residue.
They're cheap and effective, IMO.
[not-really-an-edit]Huh. The stuff I use apparently uses ethyl among other things (including scents - I always thought it just stank, but it seems to be intentional?...
Anyhow, it works for me, so it should work for others.
I'm using it with a fake-buildtak, though.
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
Isn't IPA actually the same as ethyl alcohol, but with poison and/or bad tastes added to keep people from drinking it? For that reason, IPA isn't taxed the same, which is why it's cheaper. So, if you have access to pure ethyl alcohol for cheap, it should work.
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
Isn't IPA actually the same as ethyl alcohol, but with poison and/or bad tastes added to keep people from drinking it? For that reason, IPA isn't taxed the same, which is why it's cheaper. So, if you have access to pure ethyl alcohol for cheap, it should work.
Isopropyl alcohol is different than ethyl alcohol.
You're probably thinking of "denatured alcohol" (aka "fuel alcohol") in the US which is pure ethyl alcohol with contaminants purposefully added (typically methanol) to make it undrinkable.
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
[...] I'm using those packaged moistened glass cleaning wipes - you know, for eyeglasses or monitors - they're intended to wipe away grease and fat from fingers while hopefully not leaving any residue.
They're cheap and effective, IMO.
[not-really-an-edit]Huh. The stuff I use apparently uses ethyl among other things (including scents - I always thought it just stank, but it seems to be intentional?...
Those "other things" can be a problem. In addition to scent, eyeglass and window cleaners may contain anti-streaking and/or a anti-fogging additives. These may leave residue at the microscopic level that appears clean but may be enough to loosen grip. Prusa specifically recommends unscented wipes and 91%+ pure IPA for adhesion. Window cleaner is recommended specifically to loosen the adhesion of PETG to PEI beds. Not sure about Build-Tak, and the new powder coat sheets may be more forgiving.
Less pure products may work just fine for some materials on PEI, but anybody experiencing adhesion issues should definitely try the recommended procedures before trying more drastic measures.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
Re: Can you use ethyl alcohol instead of isopropyl?
Isn't IPA actually the same as ethyl alcohol, but with poison and/or bad tastes added to keep people from drinking it? For that reason, IPA isn't taxed the same, which is why it's cheaper. So, if you have access to pure ethyl alcohol for cheap, it should work.
Isopropyl alcohol is different than ethyl alcohol.
You're probably thinking of "denatured alcohol" (aka "fuel alcohol") in the US which is pure ethyl alcohol with contaminants purposefully added (typically methanol) to make it undrinkable.
You're exactly right. I did confuse it with denatured alcohol. Sorry!