Trial Number 3

Five solutions were selected based on meeting the following parameters:
System Requirements, high and low pressure spray wash
Contaminants: Salts or silicones
Four solutions were diluted to 20% with DI water in 1000 ml beakers. The fifth product was used at full strength. All five were heated to 140 F on a hot plate. One part was immersed in each solution and cleaned 20 minutes. Observations were made at 5 minute intervals. At the end of cleaning, the parts were rinsed in a tap water spray for 1 minute at 120 F. Parts were wiped dry and observed visually for cleanliness.

The Buckeye Shopmaster LpH worked very well on the grey, black contaminant as well as the rust. The product was also moderately effective removing the white powders. The MacDermid ND LF Supreme worked very well on removing the rust but not very well on the white powders. The other three products were not effective on the white powders. The following table lists the observations made at 5 minute intervals.

Table 1. Observations

Due to the design of the parts and the difficult nature of the contamination, ultrasonic cleaning should provide the extra cleaning that the spray cleaning is not achieving.  A quick check of the Shopmaster LpH in an ultrasonic cleaner showed improved cleaning effectiveness in less time.