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Trial Number 7

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 30 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% 0.0304 0.0173 43.09 70.52
0.0245 0.0045 81.63
0.0767 0.0101 86.83
SC Acitsolv Biobased Safety Solvent 100% 0.0119 0.0024 79.83 78.27
0.0324 0.0080 75.31
0.0059 0.0012 79.66
Mirachem 500 100% 0.1110 0.0280 74.77 67.21
0.0923 0.0410 55.58
0.0456 0.0131 71.27

For all solvents/cleaners:  Most of varnish was removed within the 30 minute time frame, however some patches of varnish remained on the coupons

Success Rating:

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

Conclusion:

Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5% and SC Actisolv Biobased Safety Solvent 100% are relatively effective in removing varnish from steel coupons with 30 minutes of heated ultrasonics at 120F.  Mirachem 500 100% shows promise with increased temperature.

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