Trial Purpose:
To evaluate new, lower VOC, cleaning solvents for press clean-up.
Date Run:
10/13/1998Experiment Procedure:
Preweighed coupons were contaminated with the client supplied ink using a hand held swab. Ink was allowed to dry for 3 hours and then the coupons were weighed.
Seven chemistries were selected based on the lab’s Effective Test Conditions Database and vendor information. An eighth cleaner* was supplied by the client for comparison. Each cleaner was used at room temperature and at 100% concentration. A paper towel was soaked with each cleaner. Coupons were wiped for no more than 1½ minutes. Three coupons were cleaned with each chemistry. Final clean weights were recorded and cleaning efficiencies were calculated.
SUBSTRATE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel (304)
CONTAMINANTS: Ink-Cerdec Magenta (CAS#’s: 119-64-2 Tetrahydronapthalene; 65997-18-4 Lead Boroscilicate Frit; 1345-24-0 Pigment Red 109;20667-12-3 Silver Oxide)
Trial Results:
Almost all of the chemistries tested had complete removal of the ink. Only Oakite and WR Grace had less than 99% efficiency. The remaining six cleaners were above this value. The effectiveness of the cleaners and the amount of time required for cleaning are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Cleaning Efficiencies and Times.
| 100 Solvent | 4000 T | Bio-T Max | HTF 60 | Soy Gold | EP 921 | 1-1-02 | 294 XX | |
| Coupon 1 | 99.83 | 76.66 | 100 | 99.89 | 99.47 | 99.84 | 99.883 | 82.75 |
| Coupon 2 | 99.95 | 88.33 | 99.85 | 99.95 | 99.52 | 99.88 | 99.72 | 65.01 |
| Coupon 3 | 99.94 | 60.15 | 99.85 | 99.93 | 99.34 | 99.62 | 99.93 | 78.51 |
| Ave | 99.91 | 75.05 | 99.9 | 99.92 | 99.44 | 99.78 | 99.84 | 75.42 |
| Std Dev | 0.067 | 14.16 | 0.087 | 0.031 | 0.093 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 9.26 |
| Time Required (min) | ||||||||
| <1 | >1.5 | < 1 | 1-1.5 | 1 | <1 | 1 | >1.5 | |
The client supplied cleaner had an average cleaning of 99.91% performed in less than one minute. There were a couple other cleaners with similar efficiencies and times. BIO-T Max, HTF 60 and 1-1-2 all cleaned at or above 99.8% and within 30 seconds of the 100 Solvent. Two other cleaners removed between 99.4 and 99.8% of the contaminant in about the same time as the original cleaner.
Success Rating:
Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.Conclusion:
Of the seven chemistries tested, five had similar cleaning action as the supplied product. The next test will be to determine the effect the cleaners have on the CDF Direct Film Coating.
