Will Rubbing Alcohol Detonate When Heated? - Safety Explained

Rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) is flammable, but it does not explode when heated under normal conditions. The flash point of isopropanol is 23°C (73°F), which means it will ignite if exposed to a flame or spark at or above this temperature. While it is flammable, it does not have the same explosive potential as materials like gasoline or propane. When heated, it undergoes combustion and burns, producing carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other products of combustion.