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Trial Number 2

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate selected cleaners on supplied parts.

Date Run:

02/05/2001

Experiment Procedure:

Five cleaners from the previous testing performed at SCL were diluted to the concentrations listed below using DI water in 250 mL beakers. A sixth solution of water was also used. Each solution was heated to 130 F in a Crest 40 kHz ultrasonic tank model 4Ht 1014-6 filled with water. Two ratchets were cleaned in each solution for 3 minutes. The parts were rinsed with a tap water spray for 30 seconds at 120 F. Parts were dried using a white paper towel. The towel was then evaluated for any signs of the contaminant mix. The parts were also observed in two locations to determine how well they were cleaned. A second and third dirty part were cleaned in each solution at 160 and 180 F following the same procedure as the 130 F.

SUBSTRATE MATERIAL: Steel Rachet handles
CONTAMINANTS: Mix: Grease Stick (M.P. Iding Co, Fatty acid soap with Tallow), buffing compound (Jackson Lea Plastibrade F-18, 1332-58-7, 1344-09-8, 1344-28-1, 9000-70-8), Gritite (M.P. Iding Co.)

Trial Results:

All five chemistries were very effective in removing the contaminant from the rachet handle. The same one area caused problems for each of the five cleaners. The area inside the rachet head at the top of the rachet did not get completely cleaned after the three minutes. The amount of contaminant remaining was far less at the elevated temperatures. Observations were made and points were assessed for each cleaner based on these observations. Table 1 lists the point system used by SCL. The observations made are listed in Table 2.
Table 1. Visual Observation Scale

Scale Points
X 5
E 4.5
GE 4
G 3.5
OG 3
O 2.5
FO 2
F 1.5
PF 1
P 0.5
Gone 5

Table 2. Observations 

40 kHz 130 160 180
Cleaner Part 1 A Part 1 B Part 2 A Part 2 B Part 3 A Part 3 B Part 4 A Part 4 B
1 OG FO F F OG PF G O
2 F FO OG FO FO OG G G
3 OG FO OG O OG OG OG G
4 F FO G OG OG O OG G
5 G G G G OG OG PF PF
6 PF P NT PF NT NT NT NT
Points available:     20pts   10pts   10pts

The points for each cleaner at the three temperatures are listed in Table 3. The rating is based on points received divided by total points available and multiplying by 100%.
Table 3. Points and Ratings

  Total Points Rating Total Points Rating Total Points Rating
Cleaner 130 deg F 160 deg F 180 deg F
1 8 40 3 30 6 60
2 8.5 42.5 5 50 7 70
3 10.5 52.5 5 50 6.5 65
4 10 50 5.5 55 6.5 65
5 14 70 6 60 2 20
6 1.5 7.5 1 10 0 0

From Table 3, it appears that the EMKAY cleaner works best at the lower temperatures, but not so well at the 180 F.  The Brulin cleaner was the most effective cleaner at the high temperature followed closely by the Valtech and Matchless products.  It was noted that the parts were still not completely cleaned after the three-minute cleaning.

Success Rating:

A follow up test, usually based on company input.

Conclusion:

Despite the improvement in cleaning associated with the increased temperature, there was not any cleaners that removed all of the contaminant from the inside of the ratchet head.  Additional cleaning trials will be conducted using the higher temperatures and using 25kHz ultrasonic tanks in an attempt to boost cleaning even further.

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