Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA): Uses, Grades and Safety
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, isopropanol) is a clear, fast-drying solvent used to clean electronics, circuit boards, glass, lenses and 3D-print resin, and to remove grease and sticky residue. It mixes fully with water, evaporates without leaving a film, and is highly flammable, so keep it away from flames.
Last updated 7 Nov 2026
Specifications
- Formula
- C3H8O
- CAS number
- 67-63-0
- Grades
- Technical
- Hindi name
- आइसोप्रोपिल अल्कोहल
Products and pack sizes
| Product | Grade | Pack | Price (incl. GST) | ₹ per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning (IPA) I 100mL I 99.9% Pure | Technical | 100 mL | ₹99 | — |
| Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning (IPA) I 200mL I 99.9% Pure | Technical | 200 mL | ₹148 | — |
| Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning (IPA) I 500mL I 99.9% Pure | Technical | 500 mL | ₹207 | — |
| Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning (IPA) I 1000mL I 99.9% Pure | Technical | 1,000 mL | ₹399 | — |
| Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning (IPA) I 5000mL I 99.9% Pure | Technical | 5,000 mL | ₹1,499 | — |
What is isopropyl alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol, also called IPA, isopropanol or 2-propanol, is a clear, colourless liquid with a sharp smell. It is a solvent: it dissolves oils, grease, flux and many adhesives, then evaporates quickly without leaving a film. In Hindi it is written आइसोप्रोपिल अल्कोहल.
- Formula: C3H8O (CH3CHOHCH3)
- CAS number: 67-63-0
- Molar mass: about 60.1 g/mol
- Boiling point: about 82.6 °C; flash point about 12 °C
- Water: mixes completely in any ratio
The low flash point means vapour can catch fire at normal room temperature, so treat it like petrol, not like water.
Grades and pack sizes at Azlok
Our IPA is sold as a high-purity cleaning grade, labelled 99.9%. High purity matters for electronics: less water means faster drying and no water spots or corrosion on contacts. It comes in five sizes.
| Pack | Good for |
|---|---|
| 100 mL, 200 mL | Phone and laptop repair, lens and screen cleaning, occasional home use |
| 500 mL, 1000 mL | Repair shops, 3D printing, regular workshop cleaning |
| 5000 mL | Service centres, small factories, frequent resin printing |
See today's price per kg for every pack size.
Common uses
- Electronics: cleaning circuit boards, removing solder flux, wiping old thermal paste off processors, cleaning connectors and keyboard contacts.
- Household: streak-free glass and mirror cleaning, removing sticker glue and marker ink from hard surfaces, degreasing steel.
- Hobby and DIY: washing resin 3D prints, preparing surfaces before painting or gluing, cleaning print heads and tools.
- Laboratory and industry: general solvent, extraction, cleaning glassware, and as a raw material for other chemicals.
In short, reach for IPA when you need something to dissolve grease or glue and then disappear, without leaving water or residue behind on the surface.
How to use it
- Electronics: switch off and unplug the device and remove the battery if you can. Use IPA undiluted on a lint-free cloth, cotton bud or soft brush. Let it dry fully, usually a few minutes, before powering on.
- Thermal paste: wipe off the old paste with a dry tissue, then clean the remainder with a few drops of IPA on a lint-free cloth.
- Glass cleaner: mix 1 part IPA with 1 part distilled water in a spray bottle. Wipe with a microfibre cloth.
- Resin prints: rinse in one container of IPA, then a second cleaner one, for a few minutes in total. Don't leave prints soaking too long, or they can turn soft or crack.
- Sticker residue: wet the glue with IPA, wait a minute, then scrape gently with a plastic card.
Test on a hidden spot first. IPA can cloud acrylic and some plastics, and it can damage varnished wood, lacquer and some paints.
Safety and storage
- Highly flammable. No smoking, gas stove, candles or sparks nearby while using it.
- Work in a ventilated room. Heavy vapour causes headache and dizziness.
- Wear nitrile gloves for long jobs and safety glasses when splashing is possible.
- Not for drinking. Swallowing it is dangerous; get medical help at once.
- Never mix with bleach or other strong oxidisers.
- Store tightly capped, upright, in a cool, shaded place away from sunlight and heat.
- Keep away from children.
- Let small amounts on cloths evaporate outdoors. Don't pour large quantities down the drain.
- Throw used rags in a closed metal bin or let them dry outdoors before disposal.
Choosing the right grade and pack
For phones, laptops and circuit boards, high-purity IPA like ours is what you want. Weaker 70% blends leave water behind and dry slowly.
Buy small if you clean now and then. Once opened, IPA slowly evaporates and absorbs moisture from air, so a half-used 5 L can sitting for a year is wasted money. Repair shops and resin printers who use a litre or more each month do better with the 1000 mL or 5000 mL packs. For drums of 25 kg and above, use our bulk inquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I clean my mobile phone screen with isopropyl alcohol?
- Yes, lightly. Switch the phone off, put a little IPA on a microfibre cloth rather than on the phone, and wipe gently. Many screens have an oil-repellent coating that wears faster with frequent alcohol cleaning, so do it occasionally, not daily, and keep liquid out of ports.
- Is IPA the same as rubbing alcohol?
- Not exactly. Rubbing alcohol sold in shops is often IPA diluted with water, usually around 70%, sometimes with other additives. Our IPA is high purity, around 99.9%, meant for cleaning work where water is unwanted, like electronics.
- What is the difference between IPA and ethanol?
- Both are alcohols that dissolve oils and evaporate fast. IPA is the usual choice for electronics and resin cleaning. Ethanol is used more in perfume, laboratory work and as a fuel. Neither of these grades is for drinking.
- Is isopropyl alcohol safe on laptop motherboards?
- Yes, high-purity IPA is the standard cleaner for motherboards. Disconnect power and the battery, clean with a soft brush or cotton bud, and let it dry completely, usually a few minutes, before switching on. Avoid soaking labels, screens and plastic covers.
- How do I clean resin 3D prints with IPA?
- Rinse the print in IPA, then in a second, cleaner container of IPA, for a few minutes in total, then let it dry before UV curing. Replace the IPA when it turns cloudy. Don't leave prints soaking for long, since they can soften or crack.
- Does IPA expire or evaporate in the bottle?
- The liquid itself doesn't go bad, but it evaporates through a loose cap and pulls moisture from the air, which lowers purity. Keep the cap tight and the bottle out of sunlight, and it stays usable for a long time.