Trial Number 2

Two products that were successful in the previous trial without wiping were selected for continued evaluation. The two solution was diluted to 1% using DI water in 600 ml beakers, heated to 130 F and degassed for 10 minutes in a Crest 40 kHz ultrasonic tank. In addition to the two successful cleaners, two other products were selected for further evolution. These products were used at the original 5% dilution and were heated as well as degassed as the first two products. Twelve preweighed coupons were coated with Jackson Lea Learok 7-S-3 Buffing compound (102-71-6, 14808-60-7, 1317-95-9). The buffing compound was applied by first heating it with a hot air gun and rubbing the coupons with the melted contaminant. Coupons were allowed to cool to room temperature and then weighed again. Three coupons were cleaned in the 1% solution for 1 minute using ultrasonic energy at 40 kHz and the 5% solutions cleaning lasted for 5 minutes. Following the cleaning, coupons were rinsed with a DI water bath for 30 seconds at room temperature and dried using a Master Appliance Heat Gun at 300 F for 15 seconds. Coupons were again allowed to cool to room temperature and then weighed a final time. Cleaning efficiencies were calculated and recorded.

The products used at 1% removed only a small amount (<30%) of the buffing compound from the coupons after 1 minute. Therefore, an additional 4 minutes was added to the cleaning time with vastly improved results. The products removed over 99% of the contaminant. Results for the 1% cleaning are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. 1% Cleaning Results

The 5% solutions also did not remove a majority of the buffing compound after the initial 10 minutes of cleaning. An additional cleaning time of 5 minutes (total of 15) was added. Results were comparable to the 1%, 5 minute cleaning requiring no wiping. Both products removed over 95%

Table 2. 5% Cleaning Results

The next phase of testing will be to clean actual parts when supplied by client.