Trial Purpose:
Evaluating Solvent alternatives for MEK in cleaning performance coating off of stainless steel substrate
Date Run:
09/16/2025Experiment Procedure:
15 stainless steel coupons were prepared, with initial weights prior to soiling being taken. The soil, a mixture of LV-974EV and LV-3017 were mixed in a 100:4 ratio and applied to the substrate. The coupons were then baked in a laboratory convection oven for 30 minutes at 300 degrees F. Following cooling to room temperature, soiled weights were taken. Then the 5 solvents being tested: Benzaldehyde, Triethyl Phosphate, Tetrahydropyran, Dimethyl Glutarate, and Methyl Benzoate
Trial Results:
| Cleaner | Coupon # | Initial wt | Cont. wt | Clean wt. | Initial wt of cont. | Final wt of cont. | %Cont Removed | Average % Removal |
| Benzaldehyde | 23 | 49.1505 | 49.2575 | 49.1537 | 0.1070 | 0.0032 | 97.01 | 91.67 |
| 10 | 49.5305 | 49.6190 | 49.5320 | 0.0885 | 0.0015 | 98.31 | ||
| 13 | 49.4940 | 49.6624 | 49.5282 | 0.1684 | 0.0342 | 79.69 | ||
| Triethyl Phosphate | 20 | 49.3846 | 49.5652 | 49.4776 | 0.1806 | 0.0930 | 48.50 | 50.31 |
| 15 | 49.4473 | 49.6288 | 49.5333 | 0.1815 | 0.0860 | 52.62 | ||
| 12 | 49.5164 | 49.7077 | 49.6124 | 0.1913 | 0.0960 | 49.82 | ||
| Tetrahydropyran | 21 | 49.3504 | 49.3927 | 49.3496 | 0.0423 | -0.0008 | 101.89 | 86.65 |
| 28 | 49.2723 | 49.4406 | 49.3183 | 0.1683 | 0.0460 | 72.67 | ||
| 4 | 49.5258 | 49.6580 | 49.5451 | 0.1322 | 0.0193 | 85.40 | ||
| Dimethyl Glutarate | 18 | 49.4584 | 49.6187 | 49.5212 | 0.1603 | 0.0628 | 60.82 | 59.49 |
| 6 | 49.3398 | 49.5063 | 49.3945 | 0.1665 | 0.0547 | 67.15 | ||
| 5 | 49.5280 | 49.7724 | 49.6490 | 0.2444 | 0.1210 | 50.49 | ||
| Methyl Benzoate | 32 | 49.5055 | 49.7768 | 49.6070 | 0.2713 | 0.1015 | 62.59 | 68.93 |
| 1 | 49.2970 | 49.5256 | 49.3727 | 0.2286 | 0.0757 | 66.89 | ||
| 35 | 49.0954 | 49.2814 | 49.1376 | 0.1860 | 0.0422 | 77.31 |
Success Rating:
Preliminary compatibility tests on substrate coupons encouraging for at least one cleaning chemistry. More in-depth laboratory testing necessary.Conclusion:
Benzaldehyde and Tetrahydropyran succeeded in removing the highest amount of the coating, both averaging a removal over 85%. Following EHS evaluations further alternatives may be explored.
