What is a dielectric solvent? You already know what a solvent is, so what you need is the definition of “dielectric”. Wikipedia gives a nice summation of the term:
“A dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material, as they do in an electrical conductor, but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions, causing dielectric polarization.
Furthermore, “Because of dielectric polarization, positive charges are displaced toward the field and negative charges shift in the opposite direction. This creates an internal electric field that reduces the overall field within the dielectric itself.”
In other words, a dielectric or dielectric material impedes the flow of electricity through the solvent stream, preventing you from receiving an electrical shock while cleaning electrical equipment, unless the solvent’s dielectric isn’t strong enough to impede the equipment’s active voltage.
Establishing Dielectric Strength
Suppliers of dielectric solvents offer them in different dielectric strengths for a reason. Different cleaning operations involve different voltages. Some equipment is cleaned while energized, meaning the operating voltage could travel through the solvent stream and shock a worker, if the solvent’s dielectric isn’t sufficiently strong.
When ordering industrial dielectric solvent from a professional supplier, dielectric strength will be identified in the “product description” or “product safety” resources available online and in print. If in doubt about the dielectric strength you need for an application, don’t resort to trial and error; it’s too dangerous. Instead, contact the product’s manufacturer to clarify dielectric resistance.
Dielectric Versus Flash Point
One mistake new solvent users make is thinking that a strong dielectric is the equivalent of a non-flammable or high flashpoint formulation, which isn’t true. A solvent with dielectric strength can be flammable. And flammable solvent with dielectric strength may resist ignition from an arc flash, for example.
Before you order a dielectric solvent, determine whether you need a non-flammable formulation, as well. For safety reasons, address this issue with the manufacturer upfront, before you order.
Shopping with Ecolink
If you need a dielectric solvent for cleaning electrical equipment, Ecolink can provide a solution that works flawlessly. If you need to clean energized equipment with your dielectric solvent, it’s essential to establish the dielectric strength you need upfront. This is what our dedicated team of chemists is here to help you do.
When selecting your solution, you have two options: order a stock solution that’s preformulated and ready to ship, or request a custom solvent that’s designed for your unique requirements. Because custom solvents are a bit more expensive, we recommend evaluating stock options first, and then pursuing a custom solution is no stock solvents offer a perfect fit.
Regardless of the solution you order, feel free to request a free test sample, so you can see how the solvent works for your application. If you get excellent results, you can place you official order with confidence, knowing that you’re receive the best solution for the job.
Contact Us Today
For assistance identifying the right solvent for your application, call us today at 800-563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to providing environmentally preferred solvent options!
Cleaning Electronics: What is a Dielectric Solvent?
/in Electrical Contact Cleaning Solutions/by Industrial DegreasersWhat is a dielectric solvent? You already know what a solvent is, so what you need is the definition of “dielectric”. Wikipedia gives a nice summation of the term:
“A dielectric (or dielectric material) is an electrical insulator that can be polarized by an applied electric field. When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do not flow through the material, as they do in an electrical conductor, but only slightly shift from their average equilibrium positions, causing dielectric polarization.
Furthermore, “Because of dielectric polarization, positive charges are displaced toward the field and negative charges shift in the opposite direction. This creates an internal electric field that reduces the overall field within the dielectric itself.”
In other words, a dielectric or dielectric material impedes the flow of electricity through the solvent stream, preventing you from receiving an electrical shock while cleaning electrical equipment, unless the solvent’s dielectric isn’t strong enough to impede the equipment’s active voltage.
Establishing Dielectric Strength
Suppliers of dielectric solvents offer them in different dielectric strengths for a reason. Different cleaning operations involve different voltages. Some equipment is cleaned while energized, meaning the operating voltage could travel through the solvent stream and shock a worker, if the solvent’s dielectric isn’t sufficiently strong.
When ordering industrial dielectric solvent from a professional supplier, dielectric strength will be identified in the “product description” or “product safety” resources available online and in print. If in doubt about the dielectric strength you need for an application, don’t resort to trial and error; it’s too dangerous. Instead, contact the product’s manufacturer to clarify dielectric resistance.
Dielectric Versus Flash Point
One mistake new solvent users make is thinking that a strong dielectric is the equivalent of a non-flammable or high flashpoint formulation, which isn’t true. A solvent with dielectric strength can be flammable. And flammable solvent with dielectric strength may resist ignition from an arc flash, for example.
Before you order a dielectric solvent, determine whether you need a non-flammable formulation, as well. For safety reasons, address this issue with the manufacturer upfront, before you order.
Shopping with Ecolink
If you need a dielectric solvent for cleaning electrical equipment, Ecolink can provide a solution that works flawlessly. If you need to clean energized equipment with your dielectric solvent, it’s essential to establish the dielectric strength you need upfront. This is what our dedicated team of chemists is here to help you do.
When selecting your solution, you have two options: order a stock solution that’s preformulated and ready to ship, or request a custom solvent that’s designed for your unique requirements. Because custom solvents are a bit more expensive, we recommend evaluating stock options first, and then pursuing a custom solution is no stock solvents offer a perfect fit.
Regardless of the solution you order, feel free to request a free test sample, so you can see how the solvent works for your application. If you get excellent results, you can place you official order with confidence, knowing that you’re receive the best solution for the job.
Contact Us Today
For assistance identifying the right solvent for your application, call us today at 800-563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to providing environmentally preferred solvent options!
Safety Kleen 105 Solvent – Reduce Your Risk and Save Big $
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersWarning: Safety Kleen 105 Solvent contains Perchloroethylene – CAS # 127-18-4
A parts washer solvent based on petroleum distillates also known as mineral spirits, Safety Kleen 105 Solvent is often used for cleaning and
degreasing metal parts. If you are buying product codes: 6614, 6617, 1011662, or 1014662 you need to STOP right away. It is based on the least expensive and consequently least effective grade of Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated light – CAS # 64742-47-8. More alarming, it also contains a small % of Tetrachloroethylene commonly referred to as Perchloroethylene or Tetrachloroethene – CAS # 127-18-4.
OSHA Risks of industrial degreasing with Safety Kleen 105 Solvent
Tetrachloroethylene is a manufactured chemical used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing. Exposure to very high concentrations of tetrachloroethylene can cause dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, unconsciousness, and death. Tetrachloroethylene has been found in at least 771 of the 1,430 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that tetrachloroethylene may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. Tetrachloroethylene has been shown to cause liver tumors in mice and kidney tumors in male rats.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 100 ppm for an 8-hour workday over a 40-hour workweek. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that tetrachloroethylene be handled as a potential carcinogen and recommends that levels in workplace air should be as low as possible.
A safer, less expensive solution for metal degreasing
The high costs associated with industrial chemicals – acquisition vs. ownership
According to www.chemicalstrategies.org, the cost of chemical management range from $1.00 to $3.00 for every dollar of chemical purchased. That means for a facility purchasing $5 million in chemicals, they are spending an additional $5 million to $15 million managing those chemicals. These high costs are due to the concealed expenses behind chemical use, like compliance, safety, disposal, and floor space.
For most companies, chemical management is not considered part of the “core” business. Chemical management often does not run as efficiently and cost effectively as other processes.
Getting your chemical management system in order has benefits on many levels. Aside from lowering costs, some primary reasons companies launch a strong effort to improve their chemical management include:
How Is Daraclean Different From Petroleum-Based Solutions?
/in Daraclean/by Industrial DegreasersAn aqueous solution consists of a carefully formulated combination of water with specific neutralizers, surfactants, and saponifiers. Several solvents are applicable for general cleaning in the automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, and electronics industries; however, certain additives create complications regarding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) and the release of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP’s). Daraclean is water-based cleaner designed to effectively remove unwanted contaminants from aluminum or zinc alloys without creating an extensive amount of foam. As a low VOC cleaning solvent, Daraclean makes a suitable choice for soaking and agitation processes as well as spraying applications. The agent has a unique self-cleaning quality that allows it to have a longer fluid life. An increased fluid life reduces disposal requirements while supplying a dependable all-purpose cleaning aid. Daraclean is a beneficial choice for companies who desire to step away from more volatile products.
Daraclean Aqueous Cleaners Offer a Safer Contaminant Removal Method
What makes Daraclean aqueous cleaners superior for general contaminant elimination on parts or other items? Daraclean creates a minimal amount of foam throughout the removal process, is safe for a variety of metals, and aerospace qualified. Additional qualities such as biodegradability and low VOC’s make it a safer choice that reduces complications caused by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Companies choosing this solution do not have to worry about metals rusting when applied at room temperature. Daraclean aqueous cleaners are recyclable meaning they have a longer duration of use than alternative choices. In particular, Daraclean 282 conforms to Boeing BAC 5763 for emulsion cleaning or water-based degreasing. It does not have these components as part of its formula:
• Chlorine
• Sulfur
• Phosphorous
• Nitrates
Certain temperatures and concentrations are recommended for each type of application; however, these items can be adjusted by companies using this solution to receive optimum performance. Daraclean aqueous cleaners are an applicable contaminant remover for soiling of an oily nature including mineral oils, coolants, rust inhibitors, and shop contaminants. The agent provides additional rust protection for in-process applications when not immediately rinsed from the objects surface. A small amount of foam is created when applied with cold water; however, no foam will be experienced if hot tap water is used. Companies using Daraclean are able to pretreat the agent by processes such as skimming or filtering prior to completing disposal. Local sewer district regulations determine the final disposal requirements once Daraclean aqueous cleaners have reached the end of their usage period.
Aqueous cleaning agents are capable of efficiently eliminating contaminants from a multitude of surfaces and often contain rust inhibitors. Additionally, parts may be dried immediately to further reduce the chance of rusting. Daraclean aqueous cleaners help companies minimize costs, labor processes, health risks, and problems experienced with frequent disposal. A water-based solution does acquire sludge, but can be skimmed or filtered thus limiting disposal to only three or four times each year. The solution does not have flammable qualities as experienced with petroleum-based products and limits the amount of VOC’s released throughout use. Aqueous products do clean a little differently than traditional petroleum-based products, but offer the same effectiveness without posing significant harm to handlers or the environment.
Shop Daraclean here!
Non Flammable Parts Solvents in Aerosol: A Solution for Small Workspaces
/in Non Flammable/by Industrial DegreasersWhen you were younger, you may remember some of your friends having fun in a highly dangerous way: spraying flammable aerosol on a lit match or an ignited lighter to create a giant ball of flame that increased in size when more aerosol was sprayed on the flame.
Although some may plan this dangerous activity for an afternoon of backyard fun, within the context of industrial parts solvents, eruptions of flame from aerosol always happen accidentally. The best way to avoid the situation is to use a non flammable parts solvent in aerosol form.
Aerosol and Flammability
Aerosol parts cleaner that has a low flashpoint — which means it ignites at a relatively low temperature — is the opposite of non flammable aerosol. Instead of refusing to ignite, low flashpoint aerosol ignites quickly, with the conflagration usually catching the worker off guard.
One the main reasons why is the highly diffuse nature of aerosol. Workers know not to spray flammable aerosol on and around sources of ignition. However, because particles of sprayed aerosol are diffuse yet initially concentrated in a cloud, the ignition of one particle can cause the ignition of others, causing a chain reaction that consumes the aerosol cloud and non-dry aerosol on work surfaces.
Using a high volume flammable degreaser in a confined workspace is similar to having a utility gas leak in the room of a house. The gas doesn’t ignite without an ignition source, but once it does, the ensuing conflagration can cause a deadly explosion that leads to a house fire. The same can happen at workstations that use non flammable parts solvent in aerosol form for parts cleaning.
Protecting Your Workers
There was a time when companies and organizations had little choice but to use flammable aerosol solvents, but that time is gone. Today, manufacturers of green solvents, such as Ecolink, offer the opportunity to use environmentally safe or environmentally secure solvents that do not ignite. These non flammable parts solvents in aerosol form help prevent fire at workstations, where aerosol remains concentrated, until it slowly dissipates into the larger work environment.
While you could always protect workers with flame retardant personal protective equipment (PPE), it would probably cost less to switch to an eco-friendly, non flammable solvent that has a much better safety profile — and the same or better strength — than the solution that it is “dropped in” to replace.
About Ecolink
Ecolink specializes in providing eco friendly, industrial grade solvents that have as much or more efficacy than toxic solvents they are designed to replace. If one of our stock solvents isn’t right for the job, we can produce a custom solvent that meets your exacting requirements, and supply the unique blend as often as you require it, in the volume in which you need it.
For more information about our products and services, please call us today at 800-563-1305, or reach us through our contact form. We look forward to providing options for non flammable parts solvents in aerosol!
Oil Thinning Solvents for Engines: Achieving the Right Viscosity
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersIf you look at model of a combustion engine, it appears to have metal parts that rub against each other when it runs. In reality, the components are moving in exceptionally close proximity to each other, with a thin layer of motor oil separating them.
If the oil weren’t viscous enough to fill the space between the components, it would flow to a lower center of gravity in the engine, leaving the parts to rub each other and cause damage. By the same token, if the oil were too viscous, it could fail to distribute properly between parts, causing the same problem for a different reason.
To ensure motor oil has the right viscosity for the application, users of motor-powered, industrial equipment apply oil thinning solvents for engines. The solvents are inexpensive, but they can save companies millions in equipment repairs, maintenance, and replaced equipment.
Using Oil Thinning Solvents for Engines: Factors
Oil thinning solvents for engines have a straightforward use: They make oil decreasingly viscous, optimizing its performance based on the performance characteristics of the engine. Below are factors industrial users commonly consider before using oil thinning solvent:
1. Rate at Which Oil Acquires Soils
Oil becomes gradually becomes “dirty” and needs to be replaced, as it picks up specks of debris while it circulates and lubricates the engine. How quickly motor oil acquires infinitesimal particulate matter depends largely on the work environment of the motor.
The oil in an industrial woodworking machine could become saturated with wood dust and need frequent replacement. Continuing to absorb the dust would make the oil too viscous to perform. Applying oil thinning solvents for engines might help the oil maintain good viscosity for a short time longer — such as a few hours while a production run finishes — that is crucial for business.
2. Clearance Between Moving Parts
The clearance between moving engine parts may be so minute that oil is drawn into the space by capillary action. To perform this way, oil needs a resilient, homogenous microstructure that is nonetheless relatively low on the viscosity scale. Applying precisely the right amount of thinning solvent can create the right consistency to facilitate capillary action.
3. Operating Temperature of Engine
Heat causes motor oil to deteriorate, making it more viscous over time. When food oils receive high heat, they start to evaporate. Due to its comparatively heat-resistant formulation, motor oil essentially does the opposite: It turns to sludge, which mechanics must eventually “flush out”.
Preventing sludge with oil thinning solvent helps engines operate more efficiently and prevents the need for frequent engine treatments to banish a substance that must be forcefully flushed out or dissolved with strong solvents.
Conclusion
Oil thinning solvents for engines control oil viscosity to keep engines operating efficiently and prevent damage from friction between moving parts. In addition to the volume of oil you treat, how much oil thinning solvent to apply can depend on: how quickly the oil becomes “dirty”, clearance between moving engine parts, and the operating temperature of the engine.
For help selecting the right oil thinning solvent for your application, contact Ecolink today at 800-563-1305, or send us an email through our contact form. We look forward to assisting you!