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Properties of Denatured Alcohol

Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol unfit for human consumption because of the addition of a poisonous substance, such as acetone or methanol, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. The physical and chemical properties of denatured alcohol are similar to ethyl alcohol and include values of vapor pressure and vapor density, boiling and freezing points and autoignition temperature, according to the Department of Chemistry of Iowa State University.

  1. Vapor Pressure and Vapor Density

    • The vapor pressure of denatured alcohol is 25 mmHg (milimiters of Mercury) or 3,333 Pa (Pascal), according to the Department of Chemistry of Iowa State University. It refers to the quantity of pressure denatured alcohol can exert when in the form of vapor. Denatured alcohol's vapor density is 1.6, and it represents the molecular mass by unit of volume, when in a vapor state at sea level.

    Boiling and Freezing Points

    • The boiling point of a substance is the quantity of temperature necessary to change its physical state from liquid to gas, at sea level conditions of pressure. The boiling point of denatured alcohol is 173.3 degrees Fahrenheit or 78.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Department of Chemistry of Iowa State University. On the other hand, the freezing or Melting point is -130 degrees Fahrenheit or -90 degrees Celsius, and represents the necessary temperature to denatured alcohol to to melt or freeze.

    Autoignition Temperature

    • The autoignition temperature is the temperature a substance needs to produce a hot-flame without an external ignition source, according to chemical engineer George Wypych Ph.D. in the "Handbook of Solvents." Denatured alcohol's autoignition temperature is 685 degrees Fahrenheit or 362.78 degrees Celsius, according to the Department of Chemistry of Iowa State University.

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