Water is often referred to as the “universal solvent.” Yet, as we all know, its hard to get grime off of your hands clean without using some soap! Water, however, is an attractive “solvent” as it is plentiful, relatively cheap and safe. The problem is that water just isn’t good at getting things clean all by …
A few days ago, one of our customers asked one of our sales people what would seem like a very simple question. The question, in paraphrase, was – – “Do you know the relationship between ultrasonic frequency and the ability of ultrasonics to clean within a certain sized orifice.” Being a bit rushed when I received …
Solvents are a bit difficult to understand for a number of reasons. Even for someone who has worked with solvents as much as I have, the permutations of solvents, their combinations and their capabilities are bewildering. But, let’s start with the simple stuff. A solvent dissolves what is called a solute. In what is probably the …
It doesn’t matter if you call it soap, solvent, surface preparation, or whatever, chemistry is an important part of nearly every cleaning process. The first purpose of the chemistry in a cleaning application is to either dissolve the contaminant or, using some other mechanism, to break the attachment that the contaminant has to the substrate. …
The technology of parts cleaning is a very sophisticated science today. Most cleaning challenges can be met with the proper combination of equipment, chemistry and technique. In my 45 year involvement with parts cleaning, I have seen many twists and turns along the way. Applications that were considered “impossible” 10 or 20 years ago are …
Although, fortunately, we seldom encounter flammability issues in cleaning, it’s a good idea to be familiar with some of the terms like Upper and Lower Flammability and Explosive Limits for the sake of safety. In the preceding blog, it was explained that three things were needed to produce a fire – Fuel, Oxidizer, and a …
There is always a temptation to use solvents in cleaning applications. Although it is a “no-brainer” that there is a risk of fire or explosion when using a flammable solvent, it won’t hurt to review what flammability is all about. You may be familiar with the “Combustion Triangle.” In simple terms, there are three things …
In order for a lubricant or coolant to be effective it must possess the very properties that make it difficult to remove. In industrial machining, stamping and metal forming applications, selecting lubricants and coolants wisely can greatly simplify cleaning processes required to remove them once these processes are complete. Effective lubricants must be able to adhere …
Lubricants and coolants are two of the most common contaminants requiring removal in industrial cleaning. Understanding their basic nature and how they work may help lead to the solution of many cleaning problems Lubricants help prevent friction between two surfaces moving relative to one another by, in effect, providing a barrier between the two surfaces …
“Hard” water contains minerals, usually Calcium and Magnesium, that form scale and soap scum. In most cases, soft water is preferred to hard water in industrial cleaning. In some cases it can mean the difference between success and disaster. Since its been a while since we last talked about water, you may want to review a …
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