Three pre weighed stainless steel coupons were used per each soil per cleaner for a total of 24 coupons. The coupons were then soiled with their respective adhesives, half being soiled with adhesive 5017 and half being soiled with adhesive 5024. The soils were heated to 245 degrees F in order to melt the adhesives to a degree that would allow for a small amount of adhesive to be picked up using a spatula. The adhesive on the spatula was then reheated using a heat gun in order for the adhesive to be able to spread on bottom third of the coupons. The dirty weights of the coupons were then recorded.
The coupons soiled with adhesive 5017 were subjected to 25 mins of unheated immersion with a stir bar set to 200 rpm in their respective cleaners. After the coupons were removed from the cleaner after 25 minutes, it was observed whether or not to continue with a manual wiping step (a singular wipe using a paper towel). The coupons soiled with adhesive 5024 were subjected to 45 minutes of unheated immersion with a stir bar set to 200 rpm. All coupons soiled with adhesive 5024 were subjected to a manual wiping step (a singular wipe with a paper towel) after being removed from their cleaners.
All coupons were allowed to air dry for 10 minutes before having their final weights recorded.
All solvents tested, anisole, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and diethyl carbonate, are highly effective in removing both adhesive soils from stainless steel coupons utilizing unheated immersion methods.