Trial Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of five drop-in solvents at removing wax from aluminum alloys.
Date Run:
07/12/2017Experiment Procedure:
Preweighed aluminum coupons were tested for each cleaner. Coupons were soiled with Lenox Lube Tube Wax (CAS:8002-74-2; 57-11-4; 5989-27-5) using a swab to cover the bottom third of the substrate and dirty weights were recorded. Coupons were immersed, three at a time, in a beaker with 200ml of the chosen cleaner at room temperature (68 F) for five minutes. Visual observations were taken during this time, and final weights were recorded after cleaning. This process was repeated for each cleaner.
Trial Results:
| Cleaner | Initial wt. | Final wt. | % Removed | Average % Removed |
| Fluosolv CX | ||||
| 0.1554 | 0.1326 | 14.67 | 18.02 | |
| 0.0947 | 0.0767 | 19.01 | ||
| 0.0869 | 0.0692 | 20.37 | ||
| Fluosolv NC | ||||
| 0.8361 | 0.719 | 14.01 | 14.91 | |
| 0.8227 | 0.6897 | 16.17 | ||
| 1.1123 | 0.9504 | 14.56 | ||
| Solstice PF | ||||
| 0.8529 | 0.664 | 22.15 | 16.35 | |
| 0.8597 | 0.7561 | 12.05 | ||
| 0.8457 | 0.7202 | 14.84 | ||
| Solstice PF-2A | ||||
| 0.5232 | 0.4318 | 17.47 | 21.24 | |
| 0.416 | 0.3098 | 25.53 | ||
| 0.4061 | 0.3219 | 20.73 | ||
| Vertrel Sion | ||||
| 0.474 | 0.3752 | 20.84 | 41.73 | |
| 0.7537 | 0.2876 | 61.84 | ||
| 0.7268 | 0.4179 | 42.5 |
Although drop-in solvents were ineffective at removing the wax completely, the wax was slightly lifting off the coupon with Fluosolv NC. An increase in immersion time may remove a higher percentage of the wax.
Success Rating:
Preliminary compatibility tests on substrate coupons encouraging for at least one cleaning chemistry. More in-depth laboratory testing necessary.Conclusion:
All five drop-in solvents were ineffective at removing wax from aluminum. Next step would be to add agitation and increase immersion time. Not all products will be evaluated in future testing due to EHS criteria and performance.
