Trial Purpose:
Data gathering to inform the formulation of a standard operating procedure for the benchtop vacuum vapor degreaser. (Identifying optimum conditions) Using Kyzen Metalnox M6381 HydroCarbon
Date Run:
08/11/2026Experiment Procedure:
Prep:
Coupons were created from aluminum foil and were then soiled with a pea sized amount of various soils by spreading the soil evenly across the surface using a cotton swab. Reflectance value data points were taken in five unique areas of the surface of each soiled coupon. The average of the five data points were recorded as the initial reflectance of each coupon.
Cleaning:
The benchtop vacuum vapor degreaser was utilized with the Metalnox M6381 HydroCarbon to clean each coupon for 15 minutes within the cleaning chamber. Once each coupon was removed, they were allowed to air dry for about 1 minute before taking clean reflectance value measurements.
rotation= 60 rpm
T condenser= 0C
T vap= 20C
Trial Results:
The fluorescence measurement of the reference substrate is 1.5 (+/-0.3).
The recorded reflectance values of each coupon were used within an equation to generate a percentage representative of how close the clean reflectance value is to the initial reflectance value. It estimates how closely the coupons were returned to their original state after vacuum vapor degreasing. The equation is as follows
%=(Rclean-Rdirty/Rinitial-Rdirty)X100
| T (ºC) | P (mBar) | Soil | Dirty | Clean | % | Obs |
| 130 | 100 | J1 | 431 (+/-20) | 1.2 (+/-0.6) | 100.06% | Successful; no liquid recirculation |
| 140 | 100 | American lapping compound | 2465 (+/-23) | 2400 (+/-52) | 26.39% | Failed; no liquid recirculation |
| 140 | 100 | Aeroshell 33 | 35.6 (+/-7.1) | 9.3 (+/-1.1) | 77.13% | Failed; no liquid recirculation |
| 140 | 100 | J2 | 126 (+/-11) | 1.7 (+/-0.2) | 99.84% | Successful; no liquid recirculation |
Success Rating:
Preliminary compatibility tests on substrate coupons encouraging for at least one cleaning chemistry. More in-depth laboratory testing necessary.