Trial Number 3

Two products from the previous trial were selected for cleaning supplied parts. One was diluted to 5% and the other was diluted to 3% using DI water in 1500 ml beakers. Both products were heated to 130 F on a hot plate. Each solution was degassed for 5 minutes in a Crest 40 kHz ultrasonic tank. OSEE readings for five supplied parts were recorded using a PET SQM 100. Six readings were made for each side (Top-knife edge and Bottom). One part was then cleaned using Acetone. Two parts were cleaned in each solution for 6 minutes using ultrasonic energy. Parts were rinsed in DI water at 120 F for 15 seconds followed by drying with a Master Appliance Heat Gun at 500 F for 30 seconds. Once dry parts were dry, OSEE readings were recorded. The parts were then visibly inspected and wiped with a white towel soaked with Acetone to determine cleanliness.

Contaminant: Milacron Marketing Company CIMTECH® 310 metal working fluid concentrate (102-71-6, 78-96-6, 26896-20-8)

The parts cleaned in the ultrasonic tank resulted in higher OSEE readings than the Acetone wiped part. All cleaned parts had higher average readings than the initial dirty readings. The average Dirty reading was found to be 209 with a standard deviation of 35. The clean readings had a higher standard deviation but were still greater than the dirty readings. The average Clean OSEE readings was 578 with a standard deviation of 220. The table below lists all readings made, averages for top and bottom, overall part average and finally the total average.

Table 1. OSEE Readings.

When the parts were wiped, only one part was thought to have any noticeable black residue on it.  The one part was cleaned in the Citranox. Upon further review under a microscope, the mark was indistinguishable from other sections of the wipe, and therefore the mark was considered to not be dirt.  The wipe that was used to clean the part with Acetone clearly had dirt all over.

Both cleaners were found to be very effective in removing the black dirt from the supplied parts.