Removing foreign particles from surfaces is the target of many cleaning operations. The spectrum of the definition of particles as contaminants is very broad and encompasses size, number, shape and composition. Because of the diversity of the nature of particles, the methods to detect and quantify them are diverse as well. Some particles are easily seen with …
So far in this series we have concentrated primarily on the detection of oil and other hydrophobic films on surfaces. However, not all contaminating films are oil and all are not hydrophobic. What about contaminants that are not hydrophobic and may even by hydrophilic (residual soaps and surfactants, for example) as well as things like oxides? These are just …
The tests described in the last couple of blogs are rudimentary ways to assess the surface activity of the surface being tested. In fact, they are all based on the concept of contact angle. A drop of water resting at equilibrium on a surface will intersect that surface at a measurable angle called the contact angle. The …
The last thing you want on a surface that is to be plated, painted or otherwise coated with something that needs to adhere to that surface is a film of residue that prevents that adhesion. The water break test is a simple, quick and usually non-destructive test to test for hydrophobic films. The test is …
In most manufacturing processes where metal is formed or cut, oil is used in one form or another as a lubricant. Oil and other lubricants, in order to do their job, are formulated to have very low surface tension, and, because of their low surface tension, are difficult and often impossible to control or confine. Oil spreads …
If a filter is doing its job, its life will be limited. Eventually it will have filtered out and collected enough particles to be severely restricted or totally block liquid flow. When this happens, the filter or filtration media must be replaced. A clogged filter will, at minimum, have process consequences as particle accumulations build up …
The vast majority of industrial cleaning processes today use water-based chemistry for cleaning and the cleanest water possible for rinsing. Most water comes from wells or reservoirs and arrives via a municipal utility which may filter it and add chemicals to kill and prevent the growth of bacteria and/or provide certain health benefits. Other than …
Ultrasonic agitation of cleaning solutions is just one of many tools that can be used to facilitate and enhance a cleaning process. High frequency vibrations are introduced into a bath of liquid cleaning solution by specially designed devices called transducers which are similar in concept to loudspeakers but designed to operate at much higher sound …
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