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Trial Number 4

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a FAME + Methyl Lactate mixture (SB-16) in removing several production oils and greases from stainless steel coupons as a potential replacement for TCE using unheated ultrasonics cleaning method.

Date Run:

04/05/2023

Experiment Procedure:

Three stainless steel coupons were used for each of the five soils being tested for a total of 15 coupons.  The initial weights of each coupon were recorded. The bottom third of every coupon was soiled by applying the corresponding soil with a swab.  The dirty weights of each coupon were then recorded.  The coupons were then subjected to unheated ultrasonics cleaning in a solution of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester 93% + Ethyl Lactate 7% for 15 minutes.  After the coupons were cleaned, they were dried with a heat gun for about 2 minutes each.  The next morning, the clean weights of each coupon were taken.

Soil Use CAS
Milform OAK 7a International Stamping and drawing fluid 64742-53-6 / 68909-65-9
Milform Oak 529 Evaporative lubricant 68551-17-7 / 123-95-5 / 127087-87-0
Milform Oak 15a Metalworking oil 64742-44-5 / 64742-52-5 / 64742-55-8
Milform Oak 15c Metalworking oil 64742-52-5 / 64742-53-6 
M4    

Trial Results:

Solvent Substrate Soil Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG % Overall
Fatty Acid methyl ester 93% + Ethyl lactate 7% Stainless Steel Oak 7a international 0.0441 0.0155 64.85 78.75 92.7
Oak 7a international 0.0542 0.0077 85.79
Oak 7a international 0.0465 0.0067 85.59
M4 0.4811 0.0066 98.63 98.25
M4 0.4672 0.0131 97.20
M4 0.6279 0.0068 98.92
Oak 15C 0.0721 0.0094 86.96 93.68
Oak 15C 0.0696 0.0019 97.27
Oak 15C 0.1287 0.0041 96.81
Oak 15A 0.2584 0.0069 97.33 97.72
Oak 15A 0.2136 0.0047 97.80
Oak 15A 0.3051 0.0060 98.03
Oak 529 0.0307 0.0010 96.74 92.43
Oak 529 0.0305 0.0024 92.13
Oak 529 0.0449 0.0052 88.42

While each coupon was dried with a heat gun for 2 minutes each, the solvent SB-16 emitted a white vapor in the fume hood.

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-16 (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester 93% + Ethyl Lactate 7%) is a very effective cleaner for soils M4, Oak 15C, Oak 15A and Oak 529 if a drying step is feasible.  It is an effective cleaner for soil Oak 7a international if a drying step is feasible.

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