Trial #4
To evaluate the effectiveness of a FAME + Methyl Lactate mixture (SB-16) in removing several production oils and greases from stainless steel coupons as a potential replacement for TCE using unheated ultrasonics cleaning method.
Three stainless steel coupons were used for each of the five soils being tested for a total of 15 coupons. The initial weights of each coupon were recorded. The bottom third of every coupon was soiled by applying the corresponding soil with a swab. The dirty weights of each coupon were then recorded. The coupons were then subjected to unheated ultrasonics cleaning in a solution of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester 93% + Ethyl Lactate 7% for 15 minutes. After the coupons were cleaned, they were dried with a heat gun for about 2 minutes each. The next morning, the clean weights of each coupon were taken.
| Soil
|
Use
|
CAS
|
| Milform OAK 7a International
|
Stamping and drawing fluid
|
64742-53-6 / 68909-65-9
|
| Milform Oak 529
|
Evaporative lubricant
|
68551-17-7 / 123-95-5 / 127087-87-0
|
| Milform Oak 15a
|
Metalworking oil
|
64742-44-5 / 64742-52-5 / 64742-55-8
|
| Milform Oak 15c
|
Metalworking oil
|
64742-52-5 / 64742-53-6
|
| M4
|
|
|
| Solvent
|
Substrate
|
Soil
|
Initial wt of cont.
|
Final wt of cont.
|
%Cont Removed
|
% AVG
|
% Overall
|
| Fatty Acid methyl ester 93% + Ethyl lactate 7%
|
Stainless Steel
|
Oak 7a international
|
0.0441
|
0.0155
|
64.85
|
78.75
|
92.7
|
| Oak 7a international
|
0.0542
|
0.0077
|
85.79
|
| Oak 7a international
|
0.0465
|
0.0067
|
85.59
|
| M4
|
0.4811
|
0.0066
|
98.63
|
98.25
|
| M4
|
0.4672
|
0.0131
|
97.20
|
| M4
|
0.6279
|
0.0068
|
98.92
|
| Oak 15C
|
0.0721
|
0.0094
|
86.96
|
93.68
|
| Oak 15C
|
0.0696
|
0.0019
|
97.27
|
| Oak 15C
|
0.1287
|
0.0041
|
96.81
|
| Oak 15A
|
0.2584
|
0.0069
|
97.33
|
97.72
|
| Oak 15A
|
0.2136
|
0.0047
|
97.80
|
| Oak 15A
|
0.3051
|
0.0060
|
98.03
|
| Oak 529
|
0.0307
|
0.0010
|
96.74
|
92.43
|
| Oak 529
|
0.0305
|
0.0024
|
92.13
|
| Oak 529
|
0.0449
|
0.0052
|
88.42
|
While each coupon was dried with a heat gun for 2 minutes each, the solvent SB-16 emitted a white vapor in the fume hood.
SB-16 (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester 93% + Ethyl Lactate 7%) is a very effective cleaner for soils M4, Oak 15C, Oak 15A and Oak 529 if a drying step is feasible. It is an effective cleaner for soil Oak 7a international if a drying step is feasible.
No relation