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Trial Number 2

Trial Purpose:

To test two solvents in cleaning oil and grease from stainless steel as an alternative to TCE using unheated ultrasonics.

Date Run:

05/31/2023

Experiment Procedure:

Two solvents were identified previously using the Hspip software; SB-33 (D-limonene 85% +Dimethyl glutarate 15%) and SB-31 (Benzyl alcohol 63% + Ethyl lactate 37%).  Twelve stainless steel coupons were chosen and initial weights of each were recorded.  Half of the coupons were soiled with Hocut 795 and half were soiled with RI-780.  The soils were applied to the bottom third of each coupon using a swab.  The coupons were then cleaned by their respective solvent using a method of unheated ultrasonics.  The coupons were immersed and subjected to ultrasonics agitation for 15 minutes .  The coupons were then removed and left to dry overnight.  The next morning clean weights were recorded.  

Trial Results:

Cleaner Soil Substrate Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG % Overall
SB-33 Hocut 795 Stainless Steel 0.0351 0.0098 72.08 87.75 84.25
Stainless Steel 0.1139 0.0062 94.56
Stainless Steel 0.2239 0.0076 96.61
RI 780 Stainless Steel 0.0405 0.0060 85.19 80.75
Stainless Steel 0.0371 0.0072 80.59
Stainless Steel 0.0238 0.0056 76.47
SB-31 Hocut 795 Stainless Steel 0.1013 0.0677 33.17 52.37 61.64
Stainless Steel 0.3055 0.0712 76.69
Stainless Steel 0.1693 0.0893 47.25
RI 780 Stainless Steel 0.0399 0.0149 62.66 70.91
Stainless Steel 0.0419 0.0173 58.71
Stainless Steel 0.0370 0.0032 91.35

The coupons associated with solvent SB-31 had pools of solvent remaining after being left to air dry overnight.

Success Rating:

Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.

Conclusion:

SB-33 is an effective solvent in removing the soils from stainless steel coupons using unheated ultrasonics.  SB-31 is not and effective solvent in removing the soils from stainless steel coupons using unheated ultrasonics.  SB-31 may prove to be more effective with an added drying step after the cleaning application.

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