>Methylated spirits (UK now) is ethanol, with some methanol added to make it
>unfit for drinking, and so not taxed as such.
Now it all makes perfect sense to me.
>So, if I'm getting the picture now,
> "denatured (US)" == "methylated (UK)" == "made unfit for drinking
>>(anywhere)"
Actually, the UK description is more precise than the US version as it
actually gives an indication what the denaturing solvent is. By George, I
think we've finally got it!
Since we've bantered this about for some time, I'll take the liberty of
trying to summarize and end the thread:
Alcohol (US) = ethanol
Denatured ethanol (US) = ethanol + methanol or some other organic solvent
Spirits (UK) = ethanol
Methylated spirits (UK) = ethanol + methanol
Denaturing of ethanol is done to make the ethanol un-drinkable and therefore
it can be sold without liquor taxes. In the UK, a purple dye is added as an
indication of methanol denaturing and to make it un-palatable.
Ethanol burns well enough to use in specifically designed campstoves and
other applications, but not explosively because it has a lower vapor
pressure/flash point. The lower vapor pressure hinders evaporation and
makes it less suitable as a thinner where subsequent evaporation is required.
Oils and waxes have limited solubility in ethanol due to its relatively
polar nature.
Les (learned some new stuff today) Myer
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