Trial #7
To find an effective solvent or aqueous cleaner to remove varnish from steel coupons
Three steel coupons were used for each cleaner tested, for a total of nine coupons. Initial weights of coupons were taken. The varnish was heated to 350 F on a hot plate. Each coupon was placed on the hot plate for a total of 30 seconds. The varnish was then applied to the heated coupons with a metal scraper in order to achieve a thin layer of varnish on the bottom third of the coupons. Once the varnish had solidified, dirty weights of each coupon were taken. Coupons were then subjected to 30 minutes of heated ultrasonics at 120F . The chosen solvents/cleaners tested were A. Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5% (solvent), B. SC Actisolv Safety Solvent 100% (solvent), C. Mirachem 500 100% (aqueous). Coupons were removed and left to air dry. Clean weights were then taken.
| Cleaner
|
Initial wt of cont.
|
Final wt of cont.
|
%Cont Removed
|
% AVG
|
| Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5%
|
0.0304
|
0.0173
|
43.09
|
70.52
|
| 0.0245
|
0.0045
|
81.63
|
| 0.0767
|
0.0101
|
86.83
|
| SC Acitsolv Biobased Safety Solvent 100%
|
0.0119
|
0.0024
|
79.83
|
78.27
|
| 0.0324
|
0.0080
|
75.31
|
| 0.0059
|
0.0012
|
79.66
|
| Mirachem 500 100%
|
0.1110
|
0.0280
|
74.77
|
67.21
|
| 0.0923
|
0.0410
|
55.58
|
| 0.0456
|
0.0131
|
71.27
|
For all solvents/cleaners: Most of varnish was removed within the 30 minute time frame, however some patches of varnish remained on the coupons
Dimethyl Glutarate 98.5% and SC Actisolv Biobased Safety Solvent 100% are relatively effective in removing varnish from steel coupons with 30 minutes of heated ultrasonics at 120F. Mirachem 500 100% shows promise with increased temperature.
No relation