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Trial Number 6

Trial Purpose:

To find an effective solvent or aqueous cleaner to remove varnish from steel coupons

Date Run:

07/20/2023

Experiment Procedure:

Three steel coupons were used for each cleaner tested, for a total of nine coupons.  Initial weights of coupons were taken.  The varnish was heated to 350 F on a hot plate.  Each coupon was placed on the hot plate for a total of 30 seconds.  The varnish was then applied to the heated coupons with a metal scraper in order to achieve a thin layer of varnish on the bottom third of the coupons.  Once the varnish had solidified, dirty weights of each coupon were taken.  Coupons were then subjected to 15 minutes of heated ultrasonics at 120F .  The chosen solvents/cleaners tested were A. Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5% (solvent), B. SC Actisolv Safety Solvent 100% (solvent), C. Mirachem 500 100% (aqueous).  Coupons were removed and left to air dry.  Clean weights were then taken.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG
Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5% 0.0345 0.0304 11.88 8.04
0.0261 0.0245 6.13
0.0817 0.0767 6.12
SC Acitsolv Biobased Safety Solvent 100% 0.0125 0.0119 4.80 3.25
0.0325 0.0324 0.31
0.0043 0.0041 4.65
Mirachem 500 100% 0.1266 0.1110 12.32 15.67
0.1063 0.0923 13.17
0.0581 0.0456 21.51

Success Rating:

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

Conclusion:

None of the solvents/cleaners tested were effective in removing the varnish from the coupons in 15 mins of heated ultrasonics at 120F.  All solvents/cleaners tested show promise with increased temp and/or increased time.

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