Better Solvents and Cleaning Agents: 4 Things to Consider

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Does your organization need better solvents and cleaning agents? If the solvents you use are a good fit for your cleaning requirements, you may think the answer is no. However, efficacy is just one element that indicates a “good solvent”.

Before you order your next big supply of cleaning solvents, consider how the solutions fair in relation to the factors below. You may find that you have the opportunity to use better solvents and cleaning agents, after all.

  1. Flashpoint

Flashpoint is the temperature at which a solvent ignites, so you can deduce the benefits of using solvents that have a high flashpoint or are inflammable. Three benefits that immediately come to mind are: improved fire safety in the solvent storage area, reduced risk of fire-related injuries when using cleaning solvents, and the ability to use solvents in more types of work settings.

  1. Hazardous Air Pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a list of restricted and banned chemicals called the List of Lists. Due to their volatility, many chemicals on the list are classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

The List of Lists is lengthy, but it’s likely to grow considerably longer before it reaches a state of near completion. If your company uses solvents that contain HAPs that have yet to make the list, replacing them with safer solvents can help protect workers, and prevent the need to quickly replace a solvent that has a newly restricted chemical.

  1. Volatile Organic Compounds

Due to their toxicity and volatility, some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered HAPs. However, VOCs needn’t fall under the umbrella of HAPs to cause negative health conditions in people who are exposed to VOC solvents. Acute ailments such as respiratory distress, upset stomach, and dizziness can occur when air contains a high density of non-toxic VOCs.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and air filtration systems that remove airborne contaminants from the work environment do a good job of mitigating the health risks, but the best option is to use solvents that contain no VOCs or have low levels of non-toxic VOCs.

  1. Recycling and Reusing

If your organization has diverse, industrial solvent needs, it likely uses a large volume of solvent. Using solvents that be recycled and reused (e.g., high boiling solvents for parts washers that perform solvent recovery) can reduce the need to purchase certain solvents. By extension, these solvents help lower your waste disposal bill. When they are used in a closed parts washing system, they can also reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous solvents.

Need Better Solvents and Cleaning Agents?

Depending on how your solvents stack up concerning the factors above, the answer may be yes. If so, Ecolink can supply stock or custom solvents that deliver the same cleaning power as your current cleaners, minus many of the negative characteristics.

To explore your options with us, check out our Products List, call us at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to providing you with the chance to use alternative solvents that improve safety in the workplace and your company’s stewardship to the environment.

Industrial Degreasers & Sustainability: Recommendations From The AIC

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As its name makes clear, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) is dedicated to sustaining our cultural heritage through the conservation of important historical areas, historical artifacts, and works of art. It may sound like the AIC has nothing to do with the industrial solvent industry, but the conservation goals of the organization are impacted by the use of solvents in terms of solvent toxicity and how solvents are processed after use.

Recommendations for Solvent Sustainability

The AIC is primarily concerned with the conservation of historical and artistic cultural resources, but the organization’s basic recommendations for using industrial solvents are worth noting, as they help lead companies down the path of combining industrial degreasers and sustainability of degreasers in the same, streamlined cleaning process. Below are four excellent recommendations from the AIC that bode well for industrial degreasers and sustainability.

  1. Consider Alternative Solvents

If the degreasers you use end up in the waste trap due to their non-recyclable formulation, step one for combining industrial degreasers and solvent sustainability is selecting degreasers that are actually sustainable, such as degreasing solvents that can be condensed and recycled in a sealed parts washing system after the degreasing process is complete.

  1. Only Buy What You Need

Only buying the amount of solvent you need benefits the environment by requiring less energy and natural resources to be invested in solvent production. If you routinely perform industrial cleaning operations, you may need a large supply of solvent on hand at all times. Even so, limiting your purchases to only what you need can generate a positive impact over time.

  1. Only Use What You Require

Most companies are financially savvy and only use as much degreaser as their cleaning operations require. However, many companies have the option of making their degreasing processes more efficient (e.g., using high boiling degreasers in parts washers that facilitate solvent recycling). Doing so can both benefit the environment and help reduce annual solvent expense for end users.

  1. Reuse What You Can

Most degreasers can only be reused to achieve best results after they are purged of soils removed during the degreasing process. So, reusing as much solvent as you can depends on implementing solvent recycling technology that properly prepares degreasers for reapplication. Mentioned above, using parts washers that facilitate solvent recycling is an effective way to achieve the goal.

Need Sustainable Industrial Degreasers?

If so, contact Ecolink. Industrial degreasers and sustainability is one of our areas of speciality, as is sustainability regarding the other categories of solvents that we supply. Solvent sustainability can do more than help preserve some of our most treasured historical, artistic, and natural resources; it can also help companies reduce solvent expenditures and mitigate solvent waste removal cost.

To get started on implementing sustainable degreasers for all of your industrial degreasing applications, contact us today by calling (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to helping you combine industrial degreasers and sustainability of solvents in the same cleaning processes for the benefit of your company and the environment.

 

Drop-in Replacement Option for PD 680 & A-A-59601 Solvents

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Need a Conforming Product to MIL PRF 680B Type II? The Safe Alternative is Parts Kleen II

PD 680 and AA 59601 Replacement

Parts Kleen II does an exceptional job as a drop-in replacement for cleaners with PRF 680 (Formerly PD 680) or A-A-59601 requirements and is an effective option when your Technical Order does not require a product qualified to MIL-PRF-680 specification. Offering the industrial cleaning strength of our qualified solvent degreasers, Parts Kleen II is not only potent but guarantees a high standard of safety with its high flash point (145°F). With Ecolink’s fast and easy processing, you can rest assured the product will be headed your way the same day you place your order.

If you would like to request a sample or call for a quote, dial (800) 563-1305 to speak with a knowledgeable representative or email us at partskleen2@ecolink.com.

Environmentally Preferred Solvent

Parts Kleen II does not contain chlorinated solvents but the high-grade hydrocarbon base ensures its potency for stripping grease, fuel oil, carbon, and organic resins on any type of mechanical apparatus. The solvent leaves most plastic and rubber surfaces unharmed. Parts Kleen II works well in a parts washer and its high flash point safely allows you to apply heat when necessary. Minimal protective equipment is necessary when working with Parts Kleen II.

Economically Beneficial

While Parts Kleen II is easier on the environment, it is also beneficial to your wallet. Ecolink sells this degreasing solvent for a lower premium than those qualified for MIL-PRF-680, but that is not the only financial gain. Saving money on most products usually ends after purchase, however, in the case of Parts Kleen II you can cut back on disposal expenditure as well. This solvent does not contain any hazardous ingredients as defined by the EPA and can be discarded for a lower cost.

Visit Our Shop

Click your preferred quantity to be directed to our shop where you can find Parts Kleen II available for purchase and get it shipped same day!

4 x 1 Gallon Case | 5 Gallon Pail | 15 Gallon Drum | 55 Gallon Drum

You might also be interested in our D’limonene alternative Parts Kleen Plus, which is manufactured with a high-grade petroleum and terpene hydrocarbon for additional cleaning strength. To learn more about either of these quality solvent degreasers, give us a call at (800) 563-1305 or send an email to partskleen@ecolink.com.

Four Considerations For Implementing an Industrial Parts Degreaser

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An industrial parts degreaser can be defined in one of two ways: as a singular cleaning agent that delivers degreasing power for various materials, and as a degreasing solution for industrial parts washers, where parts are arranged on racks that are reminiscent of the racks found in dishwashers. With these options things in mind, we list four essential considerations for the industrial parts degreaser that you apply manually, or place in an industrial parts washer system.

  1. Testing Solutions

Testing an industrial parts degreaser after the you receive a full order of the solution puts you at a disadvantage. You may not be able to return opened container — and, in some cases, you may lack the opportunity to return the whole order — because the provider can’t risk reselling products that are potentially tampered with, the best way to circumnavigate this prospective problem is to use  free test samples from the seller before you place an order.

  1. Avoiding Phase-Outs

Since the Clean Air Act of 1990, the EPA and other regulatory agencies (e.g., OSHA) have steadily move to outlaw the use of some chemicals and significantly regulate the use of others, whether they are used in open air or in a sealed, industrial parts degreaser. If you use a solvent whose use is “reportable” and seems to be on its way to being banned or severely regulated by the EPA, look for a replacement solvent before the changeover happens, and it’s too late.

  1. Choosing a Container

What parts do you need to clean? If you’re cleaning energized parts, a aerosol dielectric cleaner that impedes flow of electricity is optimal for worker safety, equipment safety, and the safety of the facility in general. If you don’t need a solvent for cleaning energized equipment or cleaning precision parts, your best option may be to purchase an industrial parts cleaner in the form of wipes, or acquire an aqueous industrial cleaner in a barrel and use rags for surface application.

  1. Consulting the EPA’s List

Otherwise known as the “list of lists”, since the Clean Air Act of 1990, the EPA has added to a list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that have adverse health effects due to short-term and long-term exposure. Short-term exposure typically results in temporary health ailments, such as watery eyes, dizziness, and breathing difficulty. Chronic exposure has been shown to cause brain damage, cancer, permanent paresthesia, and difficulty walking, among others.

Need Additional Advice?

For many industrial operations that have depended on a particular solvent for years — and the solvent is about to be banned or severely regulated by the EPA, now is the time to contact Ecolink about replacing your industrial parts degreaser with one that has the same or better efficacy and is safer for workers and the environment. Call us at today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form to place an order. We look forward to providing you with the best industrial parts degreaser for all applications, including part washers and otherwise.

 

 

 

Shop Industrial Solvents and Degreasers Online: Tips for Success

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Shopping for industrial solvents and degreasers online gives you more options than shopping for them in a brick and mortar store. However, with the extended range of choices comes the need to develop a checklist of requirements for identifying the type of solvent you need for your cleaning operations. Below, we present six time-tested tips that will help you shop successfully for industrial solvents and degreasers on the internet.

  1. No EPA Listed Ingredients

First and foremost, focus on identifying industrial solvents and degreasers that have no ingredients listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) most recent List of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). Cleaners that contain regulated chemicals must generally be used in small quantities — and, even when they are used in small quantities — they can still cause acute health problems.

  1. Compatibility With Washers

If you need industrial solvents and degreasers for a parts washer, be sure to limit your search to products that are intended for parts washing systems, specifically your own system. You could always get a new parts washer to accommodate a new cleaner, but getting a cleaner that can be used immediately with your washer is a better option in terms of time and money.

  1. Types of Accumulations

Why types of applied substances or accumulations do you need to remove? The answer should play a significant role in what industrial solvents and degreasers you select. When a cleaner that isn’t suited to remove certain accumulations is still used to remove them, problems can arise, such as using an unusually high volume of cleaner, long turnaround time, and reduced productivity.

  1. Methods of Application

There are several ways solvents can be applied, including hand wiping, spraying, and placing them in parts washers. However, some cleaners are more ideally suited to some methods of application than others. That is why it’s important to read the manufacturer’s product guidelines for a solvent before you place an order.

  1. Flammability Profile

The higher the flashpoint of a cleaning solution, the better its safety profile. Some cleaning processes demand a solvent that has a high flashpoint or no flashpoint. However, even if your processes don’t require this characteristic, opting for a cleaner that has an excellent flammability profile will support fire safety in the area where your cleaning solutions are stored.

  1. Creating Custom Orders

If you can’t find industrial solvents and degreasers that meet your cleaning requirements, you may be in the market for custom solvents and degreasers. Consulting with an experienced provider of custom, industrial grade cleaners is the easiest way to make the determination. If you need a custom solvent, it can be supplied on an ongoing basis.

Need Additional Assistance?
The tips above comprise a general guide for selecting industrial solvents and degreasers that meet your needs. There can be several other factors to consider, as well. If you need assistance choosing the right cleaner, please call Ecolink today at (800) 563-1305. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you choose a safe, efficacious cleaner.