Trial Purpose:
To evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous cleaners for the removal of gundrill oil/coolant from copper and steel alloy company parts using heated ultrasonics.
Date Run:
07/09/2019Experiment Procedure:
Two ultrasonic machines were used, one for each cleaner, to clean pre-contaminated parts with a gundrill-oil/coolant mixture. Each cleaner had one steel alloy pipe and copper bar and were immersed in a heated ultrasonic bath for 25 minutes. Parts were removed from the tank and spray rinsed with ambient tap water for 15 seconds. Parts were air dried at room temperature (68F) for one to two minutes depending until dry. Each part was visually analyzed and a wipe test using a clean swab was performed on each part after cleaning. Pictures were taken before and after.
Chemistries Evaluated:
- Buckeye Immersion Cleaner
- Micro 90 Concentrated Cleaning Solution
| Company Name | Product Name | Concentration | Temperature |
| Buckeye International | Buckeye Immersion Cleaner | 20% | 125 F |
| International Products | Micro 90 Concentrated Cleaning Solution | 2% | 100 F |
Trial Results:
The steel alloy and the copper part cleaned in the Immersion Cleaner appeared to be clean after ten minutes. The copper part was removed, but the steel alloy part was kept in to ensure the inside was clean.
Wipe Test Key:
- 1 = extremely clean, no soil on wipe
- 2 = very clean, some soil on wipe
- 3 = slightly clean, moderate soil on wipe
- 4 = not clean, wipe completely soiled
| Cleaner | Substrate | Wipe Test Rating |
| Buckeye Immersion Cleaner | Steel Alloy | 1 |
| Copper | 1 | |
| Micro 90 | Steel Alloy | 2 |
| Copper | 1 |
Success Rating:
Results suggest a scale-up feasible match for cleaning chemistry and equipment. Pilot plant study with actual parts recommended.Conclusion:
Both cleaners were considered effective at removing Gundrill oil and coolant mixture from copper and steel alloy parts provided by the company. Next step would be to provide clean samples from testing to client and considering piloting at facility.
