Flammability
See also: Alcohol proof, Flash point, and Fire pointLiquor that contains 40% ABV (80 US proof) will catch fire if heated to about 79 °F (26 °C) and if an ignition source is applied to it. (This is called its flash point. The flash point of pure alcohol is 61.88 °F (16.60 °C), less than average room temperature.)
The flash points of alcohol concentrations from 10% ABV to 96% ABV are:
- 10% — 120 °F (49 °C) — ethanol-based water solution
- 12.5% — about 125 °F (52 °C) — wine
- 20% — 97 °F (36 °C) — fortified wine
- 30% — 84 °F (29 °C)
- 40% — 79 °F (26 °C) — typical whisky or brandy
- 50% — 75 °F (24 °C) — strong whisky
- 60% — 72 °F (22 °C)
- 70% — 70 °F (21 °C) — absinthe
- 80% — 68 °F (20 °C)
- 90% or more — 63 °F (17 °C) — neutral grain spirit
Beverages with low concentrations of alcohol will burn if sufficiently heated and an ignition source (such as an electric spark or a match) is applied to them. For example, the flash point of ordinary wine containing 12.5% alcohol is about 125 °F (52 °C).
Read more about this topic: Distilled Beverages
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