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Trial Number 0

Client Number 535

Project Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To test the compatibility of the chemical makeup of the Titan product with the substrates of fiberglass/polymer, chrome, and ceramic in comparison with a comparable baseline product.

Date Run:

10/06/2025

Experiment Procedure:

Basic ASTM F483 Compatibility Testing Procedure:

Three coupons of each substrate were used per cleaner, for a total of 18 coupons.  Each coupon was weighed to the nearest 0.1mg and had that initial weight recorded.  The coupons were then immersed in their respective cleaner at room temperature for 24 hours.  After 24 hours, each coupon was removed from the cleaner and rinsed thoroughly under hot tap water at 120-140F.  Following the tap water rinse, each coupon was rinsed with room temperature DI water followed by a room temperature Acetone rinse.  The coupons were then allowed to air dry for a few hours. After the coupons had fully air dried, they were visually analyzed as follows-

a. Discoloration and Dulling 

b. Etching

c. Presence of accretions and relative amounts

d. Pitting

e. Presence of selective or localized attack

The coupons were then placed back into immersion with their respective cleaners for a subsequent 144 hours.  After 144 hours, the coupons were removed and rinsed following the same rinsing steps previously performed.  After fully air drying, the coupons were then visually analyzed repeating the same visual categories.  Each coupon was weighed to the nearest 0.1 mg, and the weight loss or gain of each coupon was recorded.

Visual Observations Ranking:

Rating Category Level
1 None
2 Slight 
3 Noticeable
4 Considerable 
5 Severe 

Trial Results:

Visual Observations:

Product Substrate AVG Discoloration & Dulling AVG Etching AVG Accretions AVG Pitting AVG Localized Attacks
Zep Foaming Shower, Tub & Tile Cleaner Plastic 1 1 1 1 1
Chrome Coated Aluminum 3 1.5 1 1 1
Ceramic 1 1 1 1 1
Titan Home Cleaning Solution Bathroom Cleaner (Formulation 1) Plastic 1 1 1 1 1
Chrome Coated Aluminum 4.17 1.17 1 1 1
Ceramic 1 1 1 1 1
Titan, Home Cleaning Solution Bathroom Cleaner (Formulation 2) Plastic 1 1 1 1 1
Chrome Coated Aluminum 1 1 1 1 1
Ceramic 1 1 1 1 1

Significant discoloration was observed following the first 24 hour testing period on the chrome coupons that were immersed in the Titan Home Cleaning Solution (formulation 1).  The discoloration was first observed at the 1 hour mark of immersion.  The discoloration increased as immersion continued.  This discoloration is described as black spotting.  Noticeable dulling was observed following the full 168 hour testing period on the chrome coupons immersed in the Zep Cleaner.  

Gravimetric Data:

Product Substrate Initial wt. Final wt.  Δ wt. AVG Δ wt. 
Zep Plastic 59.1189 59.1280 0.0091 0.02
59.7690 59.7740 0.0050
59.0569 59.0924 0.0355
Chrome Plated Aluminum 21.7076 21.6985 -0.0091 -0.01
21.7435 21.7356 -0.0079
21.7345 21.7310 -0.0035
Ceramic 54.6306 54.6340 0.0034 0.06
51.1290 51.2990 0.1700
53.4824 53.4845 0.0021
Titan Plastic 59.3816 59.4112 0.0296 0.02
59.6067 59.6163 0.0096
58.8219 58.8283 0.0064
Chrome Plated Aluminum 21.7101 21.5401 -0.17 -0.18
21.8774 21.6583 -0.2191
21.5281 21.3710 -0.1571
Ceramic 52.9555 52.9872 0.0317 0.04
51.6034 51. 6105 0.0710
52.7558 52.7623 0.0065
  Plastic 59.8843 59.9833 0.099 0.09
59.8063 59.8784 0.0721
59.9525 60.0552 0.1027
Chrome Plated Aluminum 21.7076 21.7073 -0.0003 -0.001
21.7333 21.7321 -0.0012
21.7289 21.7284 -0.0005
Ceramic 51.9872 52.0036 0.0164 0.07
52.2001 52.3412 0.1411
51.7420 51.7999 0.0579

Although the chrome coupons immersed in the Zep cleaner show a greater visual ranking of observed etching, based on the gravimetric results it can be seen that the chrome coupons immersed in the Titan Cleaning Solution experienced greater etching based on a greater loss of weight over the course of the testing period.  It is likely that the etching was not as visually noticeable on these coupons due to the dark black discoloration.  The etching of the Titan Cleaning Solution (formulation 1) would not have begun until the 1 hour mark at which the discoloration was first noticed.  

Success Rating:

Preliminary compatibility tests on substrate coupons encouraging for at least one cleaning chemistry. More in-depth laboratory testing necessary.

Conclusion:

All cleaners are highly compatible with plastic and ceramic.  Both the Zep Foaming Shower, Tub and Tile Cleaner and the Titan Home Cleaning Solution (formulation 1) caused some level of damage to chrome coupons, with this damage being more significant for the Titan Home Cleaning Solution Bathroom Cleaner (formulation 1) compared to the Zep Foaming Shower, Tub and Tile Cleaner however, the discoloration was not noticed until the 1 hour mark of testing.  As the use of this product would not require more than 3-5 minutes of contact time, this should not pose an issue.  The Titan Home Solutions (formulation 2) was completely compatible with all substrates.  

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