Where to get absolute isopropylene

A

Alienraptor

Weaksauce
Joined
Dec 2, 2004
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I've noticed that 99% pure isopropyl alcohol is recommended for cleaning and prepping heatsinks/thermal contacts for AS5. I've also noticed that a lot of people follow the instructions. But where can 99% pure isopropyl alcohol be found, anyway? Is it readily available outside of hospitals?
 
You can get highly pure rubbing alcohol @ the pharmacy, I think it's 70%+, but really it doesn't have to be 99% pure to work; any run of the mill rubbing alcohol will do just fine
 
With all do respect to you Vertigo Acid, I believe that some rubbing alcohol can contain other carriers. I would go to CVS or the like and get regular Isopropyl alcohol 91 %.
Works fine
 
Alienraptor said:
I've noticed that 99% pure isopropyl alcohol is recommended for cleaning and prepping heatsinks/thermal contacts for AS5. I've also noticed that a lot of people follow the instructions. But where can 99% pure isopropyl alcohol be found, anyway? Is it readily available outside of hospitals?
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Arctic Silver recommends using ArctiClean, I read a few reviews and it seems like it cleans better than isopropyl alky.
 
OPUS1 said:
With all do respect to you Vertigo Acid, I believe that some rubbing alcohol can contain other carriers. I would go to CVS or the like and get regular Isopropyl alcohol 91 %.
Works fine
Click to expand...
AFAIK, in 70% isopropyl alcohol... the other 30% is just water!
 
anhydrous isopropanol can be bought at electronic supply stores.

Anhydrous is NOT pure, but it's close enough..it has a chemical added to it so the alcohol does not absorb moisture from the air as quickly, helping it stay pure.
 
I went to the local drug store (Rite-Aid, I think it was) and bought 91%. They had 70 & 91. I cleaned my GPU and CPU with it (AS5 off the CPU and default gunk on the GPU) and everything is fine; temps are great.
 
AFAIK, in 70% isopropyl alcohol... the other 30% is just water!

Actually, 70% isopropanol contains numerous fungicidal, germicidal and/or bacteriocidal agents. The 70% is sold as a disinfectant (most often used for piercings and the like). Whether or not these agents have any impact on the removal of TIM or adsorption onto the heatsink is beyond me.

But, yes, 99% can be had relatively easily from any pharmacy.
 
Actually I just managed to...um...procure a bit of "not less than 98%" ethanol. I understand that ethyl alcohol is less irritating, but is it as effective of a cleaning agent as isopropyl?
 
I found lighter fluid to be superior to get old gunk off CPU's. Available at any walmart :).
 
gasoline is actually VERY good at cleaning, but not something you may want to use on a processor ;)
 
Well I doubt it's possible to guarantee absolutely 100% pure alcohol. If it's from a hospital it's probably the same stuff I have.
 
i usually use 99% isopropyl from the pharmacy, but when i'm in a rush, i sometimes use this MGchemicals "residue free cleaner/degreaser" that i pick up at an industrial electronics shop.

i will say that it is just a blend of various alchohols under pressure, in the can.

it takes thermal compound off fast and clean.

it's not the best test, but i can't see any residue on a fresh microscope slide, under the microscope, after spraying it down with this stuff.

the only downside is that it costs like $20 CDN for a can of the stuff................
 
Alienraptor said:
Well I doubt it's possible to guarantee absolutely 100% pure alcohol. If it's from a hospital it's probably the same stuff I have.
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no,its pure its from there labs they use it because some chemicals wont react if theres even a slight trace of something but alchohol. my grandmother was really hesitent and questioning to give it to me i dunno why
 
lol your grandma know it can be used to make marijuana oil lol!!!! dont ask me how i know that. ;)
 
well we ran out of isoproplyene, aparentlywhen i asked for absolute from her in the lab world absolute is pure ethyl but it can be used all the same right?
DSC00006.JPG
 
You could also use automotive brake cleaner. That what I used last time to clean off my heatsink and it was far more effective then isopropylene, or anything else I've tried.
 
I've got a bottle sitting next to me (very handy place since I clean off thermal goo often) but I can't remember where I bought it, I think it was from one of those Dollar stores or Walmart.
 
70% is perfectly fine ... the only difference between that and the 99% isopropanol (fake alcohol) and absolute alcohohol is that it will not clean as effectively ..

i.e. it's harder to clean as5 with 70% although it will do

99% Iso. from your local walmart will do fine ...
 
IceCuban88 said:
I get my 99% isopyral (cant spell) at Safeway. They had a whole bunch of them.
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Hi IceCuban88

Just to confirm, you got yours from Safeway in the UK?? As I have been looking everywhere for some, but I just keep getting strange looks when I say it is 99% pure alcohol I need!!! I'll go check out Safeway no, I think theres one bout 45 miles away!!! Hopefully Morrisons who took it over still sell it!!

Cheers
Bigweed
 
If your really stuck, go the auto parts store, look at the Dry-gas, its usally 90% or better isopropyl
 
I would never be safe around Ethyl Alchohol, I'd be too tempted to just drink it.
 
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