Is industrial cleaner alcohol?

Industrial cleaning agents are not alcohol. Alcohol (ethanol) is merely one optional component among “solvent-based cleaners” within industrial cleaning agents. The relationship between the two is one of “part and whole,” with the core distinctions as follows:

In terms of composition, industrial cleaning agents are a broad category that can be classified by ingredients into water-based (using water as the base with surfactants, chelating agents, etc.) and solvent-based (using organic solvents as the base). Alcohol is merely one representative of “alcoholic solvents” within solvent-based cleaners. Beyond alcohol, solvent-based cleaners may also contain components like toluene, acetone, mineral oil, etc. Alcohol, however, is a single chaical substance (ethanol) with a fixed composition.

In terms of function and application scenarios:

Alcohol, due to its volatility and ability to dissolve grease, serves as a simple cleaning agent for small equipment or precision components (e.g., electronic parts). However, it poses flammability risks and has limited cleaning power (struggling with heavy grease). Industrial cleaners, however, are engineered for diverse requiraents. Water-based cleaners suit metal degreasing and large-scale equipment cleaning (safe and non-flammable), while solvent-based formulations tackle stubborn contaminants like carbon deposits and rust. Their applications span the entire industrial production process, offering comprehensive functionality.

In short, alcohol can serve as one of the raw materials or a basic cleaning agent for industrial cleaners, but it cannot be equated with the diverse range and multifunctional capabilities of industrial cleaning agents.