Four cleaners were prepared to the following concentrations: Metalnox 6386 100%, Emerald ICP 1 5%, SC Aircraft & Metal Cleaner 20%, Mirachem 500 20%. One aluminum mirror polish part pre-soiled with buffing compound was obtained for each of the cleaners being tested. Photos of the substrates were taken before cleaning as well as a white glove test to verify the amount of soil present. Solutions were heated to 120°F. Once solutions reached this temperature, parts were submerged into their respective cleaners and heated immersion was conducted for 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes, coupons were dried in air for 24 hours. Once dry, observations of the cleaning were recorded, post treatment photos were taken, and another white glove test was conducted to verify the removal of the soil.
Metalnox 6396 and SC Aircraft & Metal cleaner proved to be the most effective cleaners for removing the buffing compound from aluminum mirror polish parts via heated immersion. Emerald ICP 1 and Mirachem 500 caused visual damage to the substrates and testing with these cleaners will be discontinued. Next steps would be to conduct heated ultrasonics with Metalnox and SC Aircraft to improve soil removal.