Just as correct tools facilitate building, maintenance and repair, selecting the correct ultrasonic cleaning solution is important not only to ensure thorough cleaning but also to avoid damaging the items being cleaned in the ultrasonic equipment.
When discussing ultrasonic cleaner solutions with colleagues I refer to information provided by Elma, which manufactures ultrasonic cleaning equipment ranging from home healthcare units to heavy-duty industrial ultrasonic cleaning machines that are available through Tovatech. Common to all these cleaning solution concentrates is their biodegradability – a far cry from trichloroethylene and similar harsher solvents used in the past.
Ultrasonic cleaning concentrates are formulated under four general classifications: acidic, neutral, mildly alkaline and alkaline. Acidic solutions exemplified by Elma-Clean 60 are specially formulated for ultrasonic equipment with heavy-duty tanks such as the Elma Transsonic TI-H. Use it for removing rust and mineral deposits from ferrous metals, but not for light alloys susceptible to corrosion. Do not to clean different metals at the same time. The ultrasonic solution temperature should be between 40 – 70º C (104 – 158º F). Please note – you should not use nitric, sulfuric, formic, or hydrofluoric acid in an ultrasonic cleaner unless you use a plastic tub to protect the stainless steel tank. Moreover, solutions such as these are not biodegradable and care must be taken for proper disposal.
Delicate materials made of plastic, glass, all metals and rubber call for a neutral solution such as Elma-Clean 65 for the removal of impurities including dust, grease, pigments and other organic compounds.
Oil, grease, dust, soot and other organic compounds are quickly removed from glass, plastic, ceramic, rubber, iron and non-ferrous metals with the mildly alkaline ultrasonic cleaning solution Elma-Clean 70. Oils can be drawn off after the cleaning cycle and the working concentrate in the bath can be regenerated.
Choose Elma-Clean 75, an ammonia-containing alkaline solution , for laboratory appliances, work pieces and jewelry made of glass, ceramic and precious metals, and to brighten jewelry and non-ferrous metals. Alkaline ultrasonic solutions are not suitable for zinc and aluminum.
Products not suitable for use as ultrasonic cleaning chemicals can cause damage to the transducer tank and can also cause injury to the operating staff. Flammable liquids or solvents should not be used directly in an ultrasonic cleaning machine as there is risk of fire or explosion due to vapors given off by the process. Note that certain limited volumes of flammable liquids can be used under special operating conditions as outlined by the cleaning media manufacturer.
———————–
Where does your company employ ultrasonic cleaning? What types of products are cleaned and what cleaning solutions do you use? Please share with us instances where special solution formulations have been employed.
Tags: ultrasonic
