Blog By : David Geis, Product Manager
Selecting the proper aqueous cleaning solution to apply in a particular application may be confusing because of such a large array of solutions at disposal.
The variety of cleaning methods and types of equipment, as well as chemical formulas, make the selection process more complicated. This provokes some practical questions: what cleaning method is the most appropriate, what equipment will make the process effective and safe?
Industrial cleaning might be complex, but the fundamentals are not new. Washing dishes, laundry, or cleaning a car are no exceptions and adhere to the same basic principles. The distinction is principally in the amount of detail and control needed.
Using this day-to-day knowledge step by step makes the decision of the proper cleaning strategy easier.
1) Base Materials- What to be cleaned?
The physical makeup of the part contributes significantly to the choice of the cleaning solution, temperature, and cleaning time.
One can easily draw parallels with household cleaning: a harsh drain cleaning agent applied to clothes or a gentle handwashing agent applied to a greasy grill would not yield the same effects. The same argument applies in cleaning in industries- every surface needs a particular cleaning agent.
Dissimilar metals react to cleaning chemicals in a different way. As an illustration, brass and aluminum are not the same as either carbon or stainless steel. Powerful cleaning agents can be used to clean more difficult metals such as stainless steel, but can damage softer metals such as copper or brass, by either oxidizing or etching their surfaces. Thus, more aggressive cleaners tend to be used on harder materials whereas softer materials need weaker solutions.
Geometry and structure of the part should also be taken into consideration. Abrasive cleaning techniques should not be used on delicate parts or on refined surfaces. In these situations the soft cleaning method is desirable although it may take more time since it will prevent possible damage.
2) Soil Characteristics- What is being taken away?
It is also important to know the nature of contamination in place as it is to know what the base material is. The type of cleaning solution depends on the type of soil.
Cleaning agents are designed in such a way that they attack certain forms of contaminants. As an illustration, grease has to be removed in a different way as compared to light oil or smudges.
Heavy deposits of grease or carbonized deposits in industry normally demand more robust, caustic cleaners in order to decompose them. Conversely, the neutral solutions are softer and require removal of light machine oils on precision parts.
Other cleaners operate based on emulsifying the contaminants and keeping them in solution. This resembles the action of dishwashing liquid that dissolves grease and dissolves it in water. With time, however, such solutions become less efficient as contamination accumulates, and they have to be replaced. This method may be cost effective when there are low disposal costs and low levels of contamination.
Other systems are intended to isolate pollutants in the liquid to enable the removal of the pollutant by skimming or filtration. This increases the cleaning solution life span but involves extra equipment and thus balance between cost and efficiency should be considered.
3) Cleaning Process- What will be the cleaning process?
The cleaning method selected will decide on the equipment and the efficiency of the entire process.
One may make a handy analogy with dish cleaning- be it by hand or dishwasher. This principle is applicable in industrial cleaning that there are various methods applicable to various needs.
Hand Cleaning
In this technique, the contaminants are removed by hand scrubbing the part, just like hand washing of dishes. It is appropriate in small volumes of parts or in cases where contamination is slight. Due to direct operator exposure, mild cleaning agents are mostly used. Equipment costs are minimal and labor requirements are more.
Soaking
Soaking entails immersion of parts in a cleaning solution and letting the parts loosen. This technique is appropriate with smaller parts and scenarios in which time is not a major concern. In more difficult deposits, light manual cleaning may be preceded by soaking. It has low operating costs and is given modest equipment.
Agitated Immersion Cleaning
This is a way of improving the process of soaking as it creates motion, just as a washing machine does to the clothing. The agitation enhances the cleaning effect as it increases the speed of getting rid of dirt and oils. Simple soaking has lower set-up costs, but requires much more time to clean.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning is a mixture of soaking and microscopic scrubbing effect due to sound waves. Such waves produce small bubbles which burst and clean surfaces including inaccessible points. The technique is especially useful with precision components with complicated geometries. Although it is more expensive, it usually provides better cleaning outcomes.
Spray Cleaning
Spray systems are like dishwashers where a cleaning solution is sprayed on elements in a chamber. This technique is optimal where there is a high volume of operations and it needs a rapid processing time. Nonetheless, it is vital to contain foams, too much foam may disrupt performance. Spray systems offer even cleaning and quick cleaning although the initial cost is higher.
Rinsing and Drying Final Process steps.
It is not clean without appropriate rinsing and drying. These measures are necessary to make sure that cleaning residues are removed, and that the part is not damaged.
When the cleaning solution is left unattended on the surface, it can cause corrosion or degradation of the surface. Likewise, any remaining moisture may lead to oxidation, rust or mineral deposition, which impact performance and appearance.
Effective rinsing using clean water and subsequent drying of parts will make sure they are ready to undergo further manufacturing or final use. When cleaning is the last process, these procedures directly affect the way the product looks and the quality.
Compliance with Specifications: Industry Conformance.
In case of critical parts, particularly in some sectors like aerospace, there are strict regulations to follow the cleaning process. These specifications specify materials, procedures and methods that are acceptable.
To address these needs, Daraclean aqueous cleaning solutions are designed and accepted in aerospace and other critical applications. Numerous formulations are based on requirements of such organizations as ASTM, AMS, ARP and such manufacturers as Boeing, Lockheed, GEAE, Pratt and Whitney and Raytheon.
Overview
- Know what the part is made of and its reaction to cleaning agents.
- Determine which kind of contamination and choose an appropriate cleaning solution.
- Select a suitable cleaning technique in terms of efficiency and cost.
- Always make sure that you rinse and dry to ensure the quality of the parts.
- Test against applicable specifications of critical applications.
Want to see what cleaners Magnaflux offers? Check out our Comparison Guide of Aerospace and Industrial NDT Cleaners.
