Why Are Chemicals Used in Ultrasonic Cleaning?
In ultrasonic cleaning, cavitation mechanically assists in separating contaminants from the surface. The cleaning chemical supports the dissolution and removal of oil, grease and other contaminants.
For this reason, the ultrasonic system and cleaning chemical should not be considered independently when designing a professional cleaning process.
How Should an Ultrasonic Cleaning Chemical Be Selected?
The first step in chemical selection is identifying the material of the part and the type of contamination present on its surface.
A chemical that performs effectively on heavy oil and grease may not be suitable for another type of contamination or a different surface material.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Cleaning Chemical
- Material of the part
- Type and level of contamination
- Surface sensitivity
- pH value of the chemical
- Recommended concentration
- Operating temperature
- Rinsing requirements
- Subsequent manufacturing processes
How Does the Type of Contamination Affect Chemical Selection?
Industrial components may contain oil, grease, metal chips, machining fluids, polishing residues and various other production-related contaminants.
Because these contaminants have different chemical characteristics, the same cleaning agent may not produce the same results in every application.
Why Is the Material of the Part Important?
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass and other materials can react differently to cleaning chemicals.
The cleaning chemical should therefore be selected not only according to its cleaning capability but also according to its compatibility with the material being cleaned.
Why Is Chemical Concentration Important?
Cleaning chemicals should generally be used within the concentration range recommended for the specific product and application. Insufficient concentration may reduce cleaning performance, while using a higher concentration does not necessarily provide better results.
Chemical consumption, potential surface effects and rinsing requirements should also be taken into account when determining concentration.
Does a Stronger Chemical Always Provide Better Cleaning?
No. Using a more aggressive chemical or a higher concentration does not always result in a better cleaning process.
Chemicals that are not compatible with the part material may cause undesirable surface effects. The objective should therefore be to select the most appropriate chemical for the process rather than simply the strongest one.
Why Is Temperature Important in Ultrasonic Cleaning?
The temperature of the cleaning liquid can influence the removal of contaminants such as oil and grease and can also affect the performance of the selected cleaning chemical.
As temperature increases, the behavior of certain contaminants may change and the effectiveness of some cleaning chemicals may improve. However, this does not mean that the cleaning temperature should always be as high as possible.
What Is the Ideal Temperature for Ultrasonic Cleaning?
There is no single ideal temperature that applies to every ultrasonic cleaning application.
The appropriate operating temperature should be determined according to:
- The cleaning chemical being used
- The type of contamination
- The material of the part
- Surface sensitivity
- Cleaning time
- Process requirements
Does a Higher Temperature Always Improve Cleaning?
Not necessarily. Excessively high temperatures can increase energy consumption, change the operating characteristics of the cleaning chemical or be unsuitable for certain sensitive components.
The temperature should therefore be controlled and selected according to the requirements of the cleaning process.
What Is the Relationship Between Temperature and Cavitation?
The physical properties of the cleaning liquid change with temperature, which means that temperature can also influence cavitation behavior.
For this reason, temperature should not be considered only as a parameter that supports chemical cleaning, but as one of the variables affecting the overall ultrasonic cleaning process.
Should Chemical and Temperature Be Evaluated Together?
Yes. In a professional ultrasonic cleaning process, cleaning chemical and temperature should not be determined independently.
The recommended operating conditions of the chemical, material of the part and contamination type should be evaluated together when determining the appropriate process temperature.
Process Selection in Plussonic Ultrasonic Cleaning Systems
In Plussonic ultrasonic cleaning systems, the characteristics of the parts to be cleaned and the requirements of the process can be evaluated to determine an appropriate cleaning configuration.
In addition to ultrasonic power and frequency, cleaning chemical, temperature, cleaning time and rinsing stages should be considered together in order to achieve the required level of cleanliness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ultrasonic cleaning be performed using only water?
This may be possible depending on the application. However, for many industrial contaminants, a cleaning chemical suitable for the part material and contamination type can significantly support cleaning performance.
Can the same cleaning chemical be used for every metal?
No. Compatibility between the cleaning chemical and the material of the part should always be evaluated.
Does increasing chemical concentration improve cleaning?
Not necessarily. The chemical should be used at an appropriate concentration. A higher concentration does not automatically mean better cleaning.
What temperature should be used for ultrasonic cleaning?
There is no single temperature suitable for every application. The appropriate temperature depends on the cleaning chemical, contamination type, material of the part and process requirements.
Does temperature affect cavitation?
Yes. Because the physical properties of the cleaning liquid change with temperature, cavitation behavior can also be affected.