Solvent degreasing
Encyclopedia
Solvent degreasing is a process used to prepare a part for further operations such as electroplating
or paint
ing. Typically it uses petroleum
, chlorine
, or alcohol
based solvent
s to dissolve the machining
fluids and other contaminants that might be on the part.
Characteristics include: cleans almost all electronic assemblies, electrical components, and almost all metals. Parts are usually dried at an elevated temperature, however usually not below room temperature. Almost any size or shape of a part can be cleaned.
which gives a better clean.
where the part would be soaked in the bath for an extended period of time. This operations covers a relatively short period and doesn't clean as deeply as pickling.
Soaking is typically the most common application of this process. The material is left to soak until all the dirt or contaminates are removed from the surface. However, the work piece may also be sprayed or have solvent directly whipped on it. These two applications are typically used for spot cleaning
Due to the ability of the solvent to reach in all places, virtually all parts of any shape or size can be cleaned using solvent degreasing. The only restriction lies in the size of equipment available. Solvent degreasing equipment is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Mainly they consist of the submersion tank. However, some have circulation and filtering systems, and some sort of elevation mechanism.
-There isn't as much venting required so it is easier to quickly set up a small degreasing operation.
-Liquid
solvents are safer to deal with.
when using petroleum and mineral solvents.
-The emissions of this operation although less than other operations is still considerable and has an environmental impact.
-Solvents are difficult to dispose of, and there are many government regulations on them.
Electroplating
Electroplating is a plating process in which metal ions in a solution are moved by an electric field to coat an electrode. The process uses electrical current to reduce cations of a desired material from a solution and coat a conductive object with a thin layer of the material, such as a metal...
or paint
Paint
Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is converted to an opaque solid film. One may also consider the digital mimicry thereof...
ing. Typically it uses petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
, or alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
based solvent
Solvent
A solvent is a liquid, solid, or gas that dissolves another solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution that is soluble in a certain volume of solvent at a specified temperature...
s to dissolve the machining
Machining
Conventional machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing, in which a collection of material-working processes utilizing power-driven machine tools, such as saws, lathes, milling machines, and drill presses, are used with a sharp cutting tool to physical remove material to achieve a desired...
fluids and other contaminants that might be on the part.
Process
Solvent degreasing is a process in which a cleaning agent is applied directly to the surface by spraying, brushing, or whipping. This process removes oil, grease, dirt, loose particles, and any other contaminates that may exist on the surface of the material.Characteristics include: cleans almost all electronic assemblies, electrical components, and almost all metals. Parts are usually dried at an elevated temperature, however usually not below room temperature. Almost any size or shape of a part can be cleaned.
Spraying
The most common cold solvent operation, this is usually used in small maintenance degreasers using a petroleum or mineral solvent. Usually to remove the bulk of the material, and prepare it for the cleaning tank. Although if the part does not need to be perfectly clean, then the operation can be ended after spraying. Spraying can also be used as a prequel other degreasing operations such as vapor degreasingVapor Degreasing
Vapor degreasing is a surface finishing process. It involves solvents in vapor form to cleanse the workpiece in preparation for further finishing operations.-Process:...
which gives a better clean.
Immersion
The part is immersed in a tank of solvent and usually agitated like a washing machine for clothes to get all of the contaminant off. It is then hung on a rack over the tank to allow drying. This is not to be confused with PicklingPickling (metal)
Tarnision is a metal surface treatment used to remove impurities, such as stains, inorganic contaminants, rust or scale from ferrous metals, copper, and aluminum alloys. A solution called Tarnision liquor, which contains strong acids, is used to remove the surface impurities...
where the part would be soaked in the bath for an extended period of time. This operations covers a relatively short period and doesn't clean as deeply as pickling.
Soaking is typically the most common application of this process. The material is left to soak until all the dirt or contaminates are removed from the surface. However, the work piece may also be sprayed or have solvent directly whipped on it. These two applications are typically used for spot cleaning
Due to the ability of the solvent to reach in all places, virtually all parts of any shape or size can be cleaned using solvent degreasing. The only restriction lies in the size of equipment available. Solvent degreasing equipment is available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Mainly they consist of the submersion tank. However, some have circulation and filtering systems, and some sort of elevation mechanism.
Benefits
-The Emissions are reduced when compared with vapor degreasing operations.-There isn't as much venting required so it is easier to quickly set up a small degreasing operation.
-Liquid
Liquid
Liquid is one of the three classical states of matter . Like a gas, a liquid is able to flow and take the shape of a container. Some liquids resist compression, while others can be compressed. Unlike a gas, a liquid does not disperse to fill every space of a container, and maintains a fairly...
solvents are safer to deal with.
Challenges
-There is a high danger of fireFire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
when using petroleum and mineral solvents.
-The emissions of this operation although less than other operations is still considerable and has an environmental impact.
-Solvents are difficult to dispose of, and there are many government regulations on them.