Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol 190 proof is 95% ethanol (CAS 64-17-5) that has been denatured to the SDA 3A formula — ethanol with a small amount of methanol added to make it undrinkable. "190 proof" means 95% alcohol by volume, and "3A" refers to Specially Denatured Alcohol formula 3A, a standard industrial ethanol blend.

Denaturing serves a regulatory and practical purpose. Pure ethanol for consumption is heavily taxed and requires a federal TTB permit; because SDA 3A is deliberately made unfit to drink, it can be sold and used as an industrial solvent and fuel with no federal excise tax and no TTB permit required by the end user, which is why it costs a fraction of beverage-grade ethanol.

The denaturant is toxic, so this product is strictly for industrial, solvent, and fuel use — never for beverages, tinctures, or any other consumable.

This is 190-proof denatured ethanol made to the SDA 3A specification: approximately 95% ethyl alcohol by volume, with the remaining balance being water and a methanol denaturant. The SDA 3A formula is a defined, widely used industrial ethanol blend, so you get a consistent, high-strength solvent rather than an unspecified alcohol mix.

The form is a clear, colorless, free-flowing liquid with a characteristic alcohol odor. At 95% strength it is significantly higher in alcohol content than typical hardware-store "denatured alcohol" blends, and it mixes readily with water and many organic solvents.

Because it is denatured, it carries no federal excise tax and needs no TTB permit for the buyer. We supply it in sizes from 1 quart and 1 gallon up to 55-gallon drums and 330-gallon totes, with the identical SDA 3A product in every container.

Denatured alcohol 190 proof is used as a high-strength solvent, a clean-burning fuel, and a fast-drying cleaner. Its high ethanol content and low water make it effective where a strong, relatively dry alcohol solvent is needed.

Common uses include:

• Shellac and French polish — the traditional solvent for dissolving shellac flakes and thinning shellac finishes for woodworking.
• Fuel — burns cleanly in marine and camp stoves, alcohol burners, and chafing applications.
• Industrial solvent and thinner — dissolving resins, dyes, and organic compounds, and thinning certain coatings.
• Glass and surface cleaning — leaves a streak-free finish on glass and hard surfaces and dries quickly.
• Extraction and processing — as a solvent in non-consumable industrial and technical extractions.

It is not for any consumable use — the methanol denaturant is toxic.

Store denatured alcohol in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, sparks, open flame, and direct sunlight. At 190 proof it is highly flammable, so keep it well clear of ignition sources and in a flammable-liquids storage cabinet or area where local codes require one.

Keep containers tightly closed when not in use to limit evaporation and vapor accumulation. Alcohol vapor is heavier than air and can travel along the floor to a distant ignition source, so ventilation is important.

Store away from strong oxidizers, which are incompatible. Use the original container or packaging rated for flammable solvents. Ground and bond containers when transferring from drums or totes to prevent static discharge, and keep the storage area cool to reduce vapor pressure and evaporation losses.

Sealed 190-proof denatured alcohol stored properly typically remains usable for three or more years. Ethanol is chemically stable and the methanol denaturant does not degrade, so the product does not break down under normal storage conditions.

The practical limits on shelf life are evaporation and water pickup. Ethanol is hygroscopic and will slowly absorb moisture from the air, and it also evaporates readily, so a container that is opened often or not sealed tightly can lose strength over time and drift below 190 proof.

To hold the product at spec, keep containers tightly closed, minimize headspace and open-air exposure, and store in a cool location. For applications sensitive to water content, such as shellac work, use well-sealed, fresher material and keep the container closed between uses.

Denatured alcohol 190 proof is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point around 12 to 14 degrees Celsius (roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit), below normal room temperature, and it contains toxic methanol. Under DOT it ships as UN1987, Alcohols, n.o.s., Class 3 flammable liquid, Packing Group II.

Use in a well-ventilated area away from all ignition sources. Wear chemical-splash goggles and solvent-resistant gloves such as nitrile. Avoid breathing vapor; the methanol denaturant makes the vapor more hazardous than plain ethanol, and overexposure can cause headache, dizziness, and irritation.

Never ingest this product — the methanol content makes it toxic if swallowed. Bond and ground containers during transfer, keep a Class B fire extinguisher nearby, and review the Safety Data Sheet before use.

Dispose of waste denatured alcohol as a regulated flammable hazardous waste under federal, state, and local regulations — never pour it down the drain or into storm sewers. Discarded alcohol solvent is a flammable waste and, with its methanol content, must be managed accordingly.

Collect spent material in a labeled, compatible container, store it away from ignition sources, and arrange pickup by a licensed hazardous-waste hauler. Do not mix it with incompatible wastes such as strong oxidizers.

For transport, the product is regulated as UN1987, Class 3 flammable liquid. Orders ship as fully compliant DOT hazmat ground freight from our facility in Taylor, TX. Consult the Safety Data Sheet for complete disposal guidance and verify requirements with your local environmental authority before discarding.