Can the flammability of ethyl alcohol be reduced?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 13, 2016

Yes, usually simply by adding a non-flammable substance, typically water.

Explanation:

The best example of this is the proof test. It was found (by pirates, Aaaargh!), that rum, when diluted 50% by water, and placed over pile of gunpowder would not ignite the gunpowder when it burnt. Overproof rum, rum stronger than 50% by volume, would ignite the gunpowder. This was the "proof" of its concentration.

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