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Trial Number 1

Client Number 473

Project Number 1

Trial Purpose:

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effectiveness of alternative solvents at the removal of red lacquer from metal substrates.

Date Run:

12/03/2020

Experiment Procedure:

Five cleaners were prepared to the following concentrations: 1,3-Dioxolane 100%, Cyclohexanone 100%, Anisole 100%, Dimethyl glutarate 100%, Dimethyl adipate 100%. Dimethyl glutarate and Dimethyl adipate were heated to 120°F, while the other cleaners were tested at room temperature. Three aluminum and three brass coupons were obtained and weighed for each of the cleaners being tested. Coupons were then soiled with red lacquer provided by the company and a dirty weight was recorded. Once solutions reached the proper temperature, coupons were submerged into their respective solvents for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes had passed, coupons were dried in air for 24 hours. Once dry, a final clean weight was obtained. Effectiveness of the cleaners was then determined.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Substrate Initial wt of cont Final wt of cont %Cont Removed %AVG Observations
1,3-Dioxolane Aluminum 0.0331 -0.0001 100.30 100.69%  
0.0148 -0.0002 101.35
0.0240 -0.0001 100.42
Brass 0.0619 -0.0001 100.16 101.77%
0.0283 -0.0008 102.83
0.0300 -0.0007 102.33
Cyclohexanone Aluminum 0.0254 0.0004 98.42 100.49%  
0.0201 -0.0002 101.00
0.0244 -0.0005 102.05
Brass 0.0168 -0.0015 108.93 104.79%
0.0141 -0.0002 101.42
0.0124 -0.0005 104.03
Anisole Aluminum 0.0238 0.0064 73.11 82.16% Still dirty, extended time by 15 min
0.0136 0.0009 93.38
0.0215 0.0043 80.00
Brass 0.0223 0.0026 88.34 75.49%  
0.0242 0.0039 83.88
0.0365 0.0167 54.25
Dimethyl glutarate Aluminum 0.0260 0.0058 77.69 55.78% Pretty clean after 15 min
0.0218 0.0137 37.16
0.0221 0.0105 52.49
Brass 0.0446 0.0040 91.03 93.00% Still wet after 24 hours
0.0244 0.0045 81.56
0.0203 -0.0013 106.4
Dimethyl adipate Aluminum 0.0116 0.0101 12.93 22.11% Still wet after 24 hours
0.0164 0.0111 32.32
0.0280 0.0221 21.07
Brass 0.0243 0.0144 40.74 56.70%  
0.0223 0.0061 72.65
0.0151 0.0367 -143.05

1,3-Dioxolane was the most effective cleaner on aluminum substrates removing an average of 100.69% of soil. Cyclohexanone was the second most effective removing an average of 100.49%. Cyclohexanone was the most effective cleaner on brass substrates removing an average of 104.79%. 1,3-Dioxolane was the second most effective removing an average of 101.77%. No visible damage to the substrate was observed with removals over 100% and is most likely due to removing other contaminants that could have been on the coupons before testing. Adding heat significantly increased performance for Dimethyl glutarate and Dimethyl adipate from the previous unheated immersion trial. Although further optimization is still required as the temperature may need to be increased to 140°F, or agitation may be necessary for improvement.

Success Rating:

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

Conclusion:

Upon completion of testing, it was determined that 1,3-Dioxolane and Cyclohexanone were the most effective cleaners for aluminum and brass substrates using unheated immersion. Adding heat significantly improved performance for Dimethyl glutarate and Dimethyl adipate. However, further optimization is still required. The next steps would be to increase the temperature and add agitation when pilot testing at the facility. 

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