The Metal Degreasing Process: Why Use a Parts Washing Machine?

Metal parts and surfaces are some of the most frequently degreased equipment in industrial work environments. From removing light accumulations of motor oil on engine parts to cleaning away greasy accumulations that accrete on grease trap components, the metal degreasing process is one of the most essential cleaning measures for sustaining business productivity.

Using a Parts Washing Machine

To maximize its effectiveness, metal degreasing must be performed using the best parts washing method and the most efficacious degreasing solvent. When it comes to choosing a parts washing method, the best solution may be to use a parts washing machine. If your company or organization’s metal degreasing process involves any of the following factors, there’s a good chance that you could benefit from using a parts washing machine.

  1. Cleaning Precision Parts

Due to their highly detailed design that often features complex contours, precision parts can be exceptionally difficult to clean by hand. Because a parts washing system applies cleaning solvent uniformly across the entire surface of a part under heat and pressure, these elements of precision parts typically don’t pose an obstacle to the degreasing process. All you have to do is follow the machine’s instruction manual, and let the equipment do its job.

  1. Reducing Workplace Emissions

Emissions from cleaning solvents is a common safety concern in industrial work environments for two reasons: the potential violation of emission caps and the potential health threat to workers. Using a parts washing machine instead of an open air degreasing process can help address these issues. When a parts washing machine maintains an airtight seal, it prevents measurable emission levels that could result from the evaporation of the cleaning agent.

  1. Reducing Solvent Expense

Using a parts washing machine for the metal degreasing process can help you reduce solvent expense in two ways: by preventing solvent from evaporating in open air and recycling solvent by purging it of grease that comes from soiled parts — a process that happens inside the machine and is commonly performed when a vapor degreasing solvent is used. Using a parts washing machine can be an excellent strategy for reducing long-term solvent expense.

  1. Expediting Parts Cleaning

Industrial grade parts washing machines excel at removing heavy accumulations of grease in a short period of time without compromising the integrity of the parts they clean, especially when a machine that features conveyor processing is used. For many companies and organizations, expediting parts cleaning is the primary reason for implementing a parts washing machine.

Need the Best Metal Degreaser?

Using a parts washing machine for the metal degreasing process offers several advantages, but only when a highly efficacious degreasing solvent is used. If you’re looking to implement an eco friendly metal degreaser that’s a perfect match for the parts you clean and the machine you use to clean them, we can provide you with a stock cleaner or a custom cleaner that meets your unique requirements. Call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website.       

TURA in Massachusetts: Leading the Chemical Industry Towards a Greener Future

TURA, NPB replacementTURA stands for the Toxics Use Reduction Act, which was passed into law by Massachusetts State Legislature in 1989. Negotiated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the law was enacted to promote the reduction of both the amount of toxics used and the toxic byproducts generated by businesses. We will outline the goals and consequences of this act for businesses while upcoming articles will address replacement options for the hazardous substances being affected.

Goals of the Toxics Use Reduction Act’s Program

The TUR Act was established with the objective of promoting safer and cleaner production while also enhancing the economic viability of Massachusetts businesses. Toxics use reduction focuses on the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of wastes in the manufacturing process, but not on the management or treatment of wastes after production.

TURA is intended to be an efficient process that would produce less waste. Massachusetts companies are required to form a plan to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. Each yearly cycle this plan must be recertified and noted with new efforts to improve toxics use reduction. Additionally, businesses must limit the generation of hazardous waste, emissions, and by-products to the land or air per unit of product manufactured.
Want to know more? Click here for a complete list of TURA chemicals or visit the MassDEP website.

Upcoming TURA Deadlines

The MassDEP is exercising an amnesty period for late applications and will accept overdue TURA annual chemical use reports until July 1, 2016. Those companies utilizing this amnesty program will receive a warning letter and will be required to pay one year of past due chemical use and the $1,000 administrative late fee. Businesses are required to submit Form S’s for as many years as they owe a report on the chemical, up to a maximum of three.

Each Massachusetts facility subject to TURA will need to update their TUR Plans for the 2016 calendar year and submit them by July 1st. Below are updates to the list of high hazard substances (HHS) to be reported on TURA Form S in 2017.

Added the following HHS with a reporting threshold of 1,000 pounds:

  • 1-bromopropane (n-propyl bromide, nPB)
  • Hydrogen fluoride
  • Cyanide compounds
  • Dimethylformamide (DMF)

Lowered the reporting threshold of these HHS to 1,000 pounds:

  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Cadmium and cadmium compounds
  • Perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Hexavalent chromium compounds
  • Formaldehyde
  • Methylene chloride

Need Help Cutting Back on Toxic Output? Contact Our Knowledgeable Team for Advice

Ecolink offers many innovative products that comply with TURA standards by containing fewer harmful substances. We strive to provide clean chemical solutions for a greener future, which is why we offer chemical management services to our clients to help them comply with ever-changing environmental health and safety standards. If you would like to know more about chemical management, click here. You can visit our Product List to see what we offer or contact us at (800) 563-1305 and Tura@ecolink.com to speak with our trusted advisors.

How to Choose a Precision Cleaning Solvent in Six Easy Steps

A precision cleaning solvent is a solvent that is used to clean precision parts. Precision parts often feature a detailed design that is characterized by small nooks and crannys that require a special approach for removing unwanted accumulations, such as dirt, grease, oil, and other substances. If you need help choosing a precision cleaning solvent, take some time to review the six easy to follow steps below. They can help you choose the right solvent for your needs.

1. Consider Cleaning Systems

Consider how you clean parts. For example, do you use a parts washing machine? Do you use aerosol in open air? Do you apply solvent using wipes? Some companies and organizations use one type of system, while others use more than one for different cleaning operations. Because your cleaner must comply with the system you use, considering cleaning systems is step one.

2. Consider Parts to be Cleaned

Of equal importance to step one is step two: Consider the parts you must clean in terms of their composition. For example, there’s a big difference between choosing a solvent for cleaning high-grade plastics and choosing one for treating grades of stainless steel. The goal is to choose a solvent that thoroughly cleans the material without causing corrosion or other damage.

3. Consider Solvent Safety Profile

Your choice of a precision cleaning solvent should also be informed by safety considerations. For example, does a solvent contain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)? Does a solvent have a low flash point that makes it easy to ignite? Does a solvent require the user to wear the highest level of personal protective equipment (PPE)? Asking these questions helps protect your workers.

4. Consider Chemical Regulations

Has the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated chemicals in a solvent to the point where you couldn’t use the solvent in the necessary quantity? If so, buying the solvent in a large quantity would essentially be a waste of money. You can learn which chemicals are federally regulated by consulting the EPA’s most recent list of hazardous air pollutants.

5. Consider Stock Vs. Custom

If you’re having a tough time finding a precision cleaning solvent that meets your specific requirements, you may be in the market for a custom solvent. Through customization, a solvent can be created to perfectly address what you must clean and how you need to clean it.

6. Consider Ongoing Solvent Cost

A precision cleaning solvent won’t do you much good if you can’t use it in the necessary volume due to cost. However, even if the price of a solvent is a bit too high to acquire it on an ongoing basis, there are two cost saving measures you can take to help reduce expense: Order the solvent in bulk, and recycle and reuse the solvent, as your parts washing system permits.

Need a Precision Cleaning Solvent?

If your company or organization needs a precision parts cleaning solvent, there is no shortage of options on the table. Before you choose one, be sure to make six essential considerations: your type of cleaning system, the parts you must clean, the safety profile of a particular solvent, EPA chemical regulations, the cleaning power of stock solutions versus the efficacy of a custom solution, and the long-term cost of receiving solvent on a regular basis.

Contact Ecolink for Assistance
If you need assistance choosing a precision cleaning solvent, the solvent specialists at Ecolink are here to help. In assisting you with solvent selection, we’ll help you consider the points above, as well as any others that apply to your situation. For assistance with choosing a solvent or to place an order, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to supporting your precision parts cleaning system!

Seeking a Low Cost Composite Material Cleaner? Acetone Might Be Your Answer

Proudly Providing Cleaning Solvent Solutions for Eco-Friendly Industries

Composite Material Solution, Acetone Cleaner

We are always excited to learn about industrial solutions that are improving their respective fields for the better, especially from customers who – like us, put an emphasis on clean ideas and cleaner solutions. In light of a recent purchase of Acetone, today we are looking at the field of composite material solutions. Producers in this field are providing a value-added process by tailoring composite material construction to individual customer needs, from idea to engineering to production. At Ecolink, we are similarly committed to providing customers the best chemical solution for their needs. Let’s take a look at what companies in this field are producing and the positive contributions they are making to industry.

If you would like to speak directly to a representative about Acetone pricing; call 800-563-1305 or email us at acetone@ecolink.com

How Glass, Carbon, and Aramid Fibers are Moving Industries Out of the “Stone” Age

Composite material solutions are making their way into manufacturing industries such as wind power, aviation, automotive, boat and shipbuilding, even sports. As a result, traditional construction materials like concrete, steel and aluminum are being replaced with composite materials made of glass, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber. The products, also known as non-crimp fabric, offer several performance advantages that include:

-Up to 80% lighter than traditional materials
-Up to 5x stronger than steel
-Corrosion Resistant

In addition, production of these materials consumes far fewer fossil fuels, reducing their environmental impact. Ecolink also strives to reduce environmental impact when given the opportunity, which is why we offer chemical management solutions to help companies reduce waste and cost.

Providing Acetone for Composite Material Producers

If you’re in the business of composite material construction and choosing where to buy Acetone, look no further. As one of the most versatile, low cost and least regulated solvents on the market, Acetone is a desirable cleaner. Particularly when working with plastics, synthetic fibers, and tool cleaning. We offer Acetone for less than $500 for a 55-gallon drum. We also have Acetone for sale in 5-gallon pails with low minimum quantities. Links to our shop below:

?Acetone | 55 Gallon Drum      ?Acetone | 5 Gallon Pail

Call us at 800-563-1305 for more information or email at acetone@ecolink.com.

The Metal Degreasing Process for Chromium Alloys: Can You Use a Furnace?

Chromium alloys are metallic alloys that contain at least 10.5% chromium by mass. Chromium is a lustrous, shiny, silver chemical element that is frequently found in rare, aesthetic pieces such as designer jewelry, as well as everyday pieces such as stainless steel equipment housing that is found on the front of many residential appliances.

Depending on where chromium alloys are used (e.g., a commercial kitchen) they can accumulate a significant layer of grease in a relatively short period of time. In order to clean away the accumulation, a professional, stainless steel compliant degreaser is often sprayed on or wiped on the surface. Or, alternatively, the soiled pieces are placed in a parts washing system whose cleaning agent complies with the chemical structure of chromium.

Two Configurations of Parts Washing Systems

Two types of parts washing systems are generally used for the metal degreasing process for chromium alloys: automatic parts washing systems that move workpieces through the cleaning chamber using a belt style operation that resembles a conveyor belt, and single-batch washing systems that thoroughly wash one batch at a time.

The second option is generally preferred for precision, high-performance parts that must be exceptionally clean (e.g. aerospace parts and auto parts), while the first option is an excellent solution for parts that have basic cleaning needs and must be processed quickly. The effectiveness of either process, of course, depends on the thoroughness of the metal degreasing process that is applied, both in terms of duration and degreasing agent.

Can Furnaces Perform the Metal Degreasing Process?

Chromium alloys are typically placed inside furnaces, such as atmosphere-controlled continuous furnaces, vacuum furnaces, and bell annealers, to facilitate a specific type of heat treating, such as: brazing, annealing, hardening, and/or stress relieving. In most cases, the metal workpieces are thoroughly cleaned before they enter the furnace to prevent traces of oxide from forming on the surface of the pieces while heat is applied.

Grease left on the surface of a piece, for example, could form a stable layer of oxide when the heat treating process reaches it peak temperature, and then subsides. Even so, all is not lost if this happens. The resultant oxide can be sandblasted, brushed away, or ground away, using special metal restoration tools and machines. However, with that said, such processes essentially increase turnaround time and are therefore undesirable in most cases, especially when an order is in the midst of being processed for a client.

The Metal Degreasing Process is the Best Option

Whether you need to degrease a chromium alloy to prepare it for heat treatment or simply to keep it looking great for the appearances in your company or organization, Ecolink can supply solutions that are as friendly to the environment as they are to your chromium alloy cleaning processes. To get started on receiving the best, professional grade degreaser for your needs, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form, to speak with one of our product specialists.