Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

How to Select an Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution

Ultrasonic cleaning solutions – also called “soaps” or “chemicals” or “formulas”- are designed to accomplish specific ultrasonic cleaning challenges. Most ultrasonic cleaning solutions are available as concentrates and are biodegradable. These two features contribute to economy and reduce disposal concerns.

Two key considerations apply when selecting ultrasonic cleaning solutions:

• The product being cleaned, and
• The nature of the “contaminant” being removed

To efficiently address these considerations manufacturers such as Elma have developed a broad variety of formulations. Here we offer an informative tutorial on how to select an ultrasonic cleaning formula to solve your cleaning challenges.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution Basics:

Recognizing that a preponderance of contaminants are of an oily nature, ultrasonic cleaner chemistries can be broadly classified as emulsifying, which keep oils in suspension, or demulsifying, which allow oils to float to the surface.

In both cases, solid contaminants fall to the bottom of the cleaning tank.

Ultrasonic cleaning chemistries are also classified by pH, a designation indicating the formula as acidic, alkaline or neutral. The higher pH values are associated with alkaline and lower as acidic.

Selecting an Emulsifying or Demulsifying Cleaning Solution

When emulsifying formulas are used, contaminants accumulate, lower cleaning effectiveness and must be replaced. Contaminants can adhere to products being removed from the cleaning tank. This may call for a post-cleaning rinse. Emulsifying formulations are typically used for low-volume cleaning operations.

Demulsifying formulas are favored for high-volume cleaning where oily contaminants float to the surface.  For benchtop cleaners, contaminants are skimmed off manually and set aside for disposal.  Large-capacity tanks equipped with skimmers direct contaminants to a storage tank. These units also may be equipped with filters to trap hard contaminants.

Tips for extending the life of ultrasonic cleaning chemistries are found in extending ultrasonic cleaning solution performance.

Selecting Acidic, Alkaline or Neutral Cleaning Solutions

Acidic cleaners are often used to remove rust, lime, oxide films, grease and oil from nonferrous metals.

Emulsifying, mildly acidic Elma tec clean S1 removes oxide films, rust, lime, grease, oil, corrosion, and mineral deposits. It is recommended for electronic parts, copper and brass decorative items, removing hard water films, cleaning lab sieves, removing lime and calcium from plumbing fixtures, and for restoring tools.

Stronger acidic solutions are available for these materials along with steel, iron, gray cast iron, hard alloys, nickel, nonferrous heavy metals and precious metals. We suggest using elma-KS for temporary corrosion protection for steel and iron during cleaning and rinsing cycles.

Note:  Stronger acidic solutions should be used in an acid resistant tub (offered in several sizes) along with other precautions to follow for safely cleaning with acid. 

An alkaline solution is our best-selling ultrasonic cleaning formula – emulsifying Elma tec clean A1.  Use it to remove water damage, water-soluble flux, oil, grease, fingerprints, dust, and other contaminants from PCBs, mother boards, electronic parts, fine optics and plastics.  It is easily and thoroughly rinsed with water.

 Another alkaline example is demulsifying Elma tec clean A4, the “universal cleaner” widely used to remove oil, grease, soot, coking, forge, dust and finger prints.  It is recommended for engine parts, gears, bearings, carburetors, fuel injectors, filters and screens, newly machined metal parts, plastic parts and sport and recreation power equipment.

A neutral formulation is demulsifying foam-inhibited Elma Lab Clean N10 to remove oil, grease and other organic particles from sensitive or delicate pieces such as lab instruments and labware made of metal, plastic, glass and ceramics.

Specialized Ultrasonic Cleaning Formulations

Cleaning Medical and Surgical Instruments

Enzymatic concentrate MedClean C7 is used  to clean medical, dental and surgical instruments.  Use it to remove blood, tissue, ointments, light oils and similar contaminants before disinfecting or sterilizing.

Cleaning Firearms

For firearm cleaning use GunClean L6  to remove  powder residue, bullet shavings, hardened lubricants and other contaminants much faster and more thoroughly than with brushes or solvents.

After cleaning, the firearm can be fully lubricated in a bath of GunLube L5 ultrasonic gun lubricant for protection against rusting.

Check ultrasonic cleaners for firearms to see how ultrasonic cleaning equipment helps public safety and military organizations, hunting and skeet shooting clubs as well as firearm collectors maintain performance of their pistols and rifles.

Jewelry Manufacturing

Removing dirt, grease, buffing compounds, rouge, tripoli and oxides from silver, platinum, jewelry and gems is accomplished in a bath in JewelryClean S8.  Note that softer jewels such as pearls should not be cleaned ultrasonically.

Ultrasonic Cleaning with Flammable Solvents

Cleaning with flammable solvents such as acetone, toluene and IPA requires extra special precautions including compliance with local and national fire and public safety regulations.

Here are three options when cleaning with volatile solvents.

The first, using flammable solvent cleaning kits offered in three sizes, parts are immersed in a beaker containing the solvent.  The beaker is lightly covered and placed into the ultrasonic tank filled with water and a surfactant.

The second option is cleaning extremely small parts such as watch parts, micro-optics, and micro-machined parts in the Elmasolvex VA ultrasonic cleaner.

When cleaning large parts, explosion proof ultrasonic cleaners are required that comply with national and local regulations.  If your requirements call for large scale cleaning using flammable solvents, contact us for information on the SOL XP explosion-proof ultrasonic cleaners.

Need more Info on Ultrasonic Cleaner Solutions?

We hope this information proves helpful as you navigate the many ultrasonic cleaning formulas available.  Additional suggestions will be found in tips on cleaner solution selection.

Useful information is also found in instructions manufacturers provide on the use of their products.  Details include dilution, recommended cleaning temperatures, and  what are called safety data sheets (SDS) providing chemistry, handling and disposal procedures.

For additional information including unbiased recommendations on ultrasonic cleaning equipment, cleaning solution formulations and cleaning procedures, please contact the professionals at Tovatech, Elma’s North American distribution partner.