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In the blog entitled Get a Move On, I briefly discussed the importance of some form of mechanical action to assist cleaning. This is true in both the case of soluble and insoluble contaminants. In this blog I will dig a little deeper into the subject of the benefits of mechanical action in removing soluble contaminants with an emphasis on the role of ultrasonics.
Soluble contaminants, as we have discussed before, are liquid contaminants (oil, for example) that will mix with and be diluted by a solvent and solid contaminants (salts, for example) that can be dissolved by a solvent.
For the moment, let’s say that we have selected a suitable solvent for our contaminant and immerse a contaminanted part in a container of that solvent. Without agitation, the solvent will start to do its job by mixing with and diluting or dissolving the contaminant it comes in contact with. Soon, however, the solvent in contact with the contaminant becomes contaminated by or saturated with the contaminant. Once this has happened, “cleaning” stops! A good analogy can be found in any kitchen. Everyone knows that you can put a dirty dish in water, even soapy water, but, even if left overnight, all traces of residue are not removed if you don’t add a little “elbow grease.” Last night’s spagetti sauce may be softened by an overnight soak, but, unfortunately, it won’t be totally removed. Getting the dish totally clean requires use of a sponge, dish rag, or whatever you use to wash dishes and, of course, completing the job requires a rinse.
Parts cleaning is not really any different than dish washing. Once that saturated layer of solvent develops, the only way to further the cleaning process is to replace the saturated solvent with fresh solvent. Parts cleaners do this using sprays, part agitation, turbulation, bubbling, brushing (occasionally) and other means of providing a mechanical assist. The purpose of whatever mechanical means is used is to stir up the solvent so that spent solvent is replaced with fresh solvent.
