Metal can accumulate a considerable layer of grease on it surface in restaurant environments, the operation of vehicle engines, and grease traps for restaurants and other entities. However, when it comes to cleaning away accumulations grease on restaurant surfaces to make them more sanitary, degreasing engines to keep them in top condition, and cleaning waste traps so grease doesn’t accumulate on the sides, not just any type of metal degreaser will do.
Choosing Metal Degreaser Products
If you aren’t sure exactly what type of metal degreaser products you need for your metal degreasing operations, it’s important to consult the following, four-part checklist before you move forward and purchase a significant supply of industrial grade metal degreaser products.
- Type of Metal to be Degreased
When metal is heated to its “transformation point”, the microstructure of the metal takes on different characteristics than it possessed prior to the high-heat, degreasing process. For example, although carbon steel seldom breaks or cracks while being degreased in a parts washing system, if the system heats or cools too fast, the weakened dimensional stability of the metal workpiece due to internal stresses — which are the opposite of ductility — could result.
- Heat Sensitivity of Microstructure
As mentioned above, some metals perform better at unusually high temperatures than others. For example, the chemical compound chromium is highly corrosion resistant under normal conditions. However, unless chromium is fluxed or placed in an atmosphere-controlled furnace that eliminates oxygen, there’s a good chance chromium will corrode and ruin the piece that was supposed to have a shiny, stainless steel appearance on exiting the furnace.
- Type of Degreasing System Used
It’s also important to choose a degreaser based on the specs of your parts washing system that is used to degrease small and moderate size parts. In addition to pure compatibility, it’s ideal to choose vapor metal degreaser products that condense excess solvent in a solvent containment system (located in the machine), from which they can be taken, purified, and reused. Using this system has the potential to reduce solvent expense.
- Short-Term / Long-Term Safety
Here, we are talking about degreasers whose components are toxic to humans, and thus compel the EPA and other regulatory agencies to make them “reportable”. nPB (a.k.a. N-propyl bromide and 1-bromopropane) is a perfect example of this type of degreaser. Considering the acute and chronic negative health effects nPB can cause in human and animals, companies are largely moving to replace nPB with eco friendly degreasers that offer just as much power.
Need Help Degreasing Metal Products?
The word “metal” is a broad description of substances that have metallic qualities that result from the presence of real metal. Metal is a highly durable, attractive product when it’s properly maintained, such as when it is degreased on schedule. If your company or organization needs assistance selecting the right metal degreaser products for its needs, contact Ecolink today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to supporting your degreasing needs.
Looking for an Effective Electronic Circuit Board Cleaner? SAFE STRIP may be the Solution
/in Paint Strippers/by Industrial DegreasersWhy SAFE STRIP for Circuit Board Cleaning?
Recent interest in EcoLink’s SAFE STRIP product has highlighted its effectiveness at stripping conformal coatings, such as Dymax Multi-Cure® 984 LVUF and HumiSeal® 1B73, from PCB’s (printed circuit boards). These electronic circuit boards are developed for ruggedized displays to be used in multiple industries (Military, air traffic controlling, marine equipment,etc). Are you interested in cleaning electronics on FR4 grade boards, for use in LED and LCD displays? Your search is at an end! While often cited for its use in paint removal/clean-up, we are reminded of how SAFE STRIP can be a desirable and effective cleaning solvent for many applications.
If you’re already interested and would like to speak to someone, call (800) 563-1305 or email safestrip@ecolink.com
SAFE STRIP is Potent on Conformal Coatings
Our SAFE STRIP product is potent on all types of coatings, both cured and uncured. Through a single-step removal process, SAFE STRIP eliminates residue from tougher solutions like high-solids epoxy and polyurethane resin. Usage can range from a simple wipe on, rinse off to cleaning electronics such as PCBs in a parts washer with ultrasonics. Heat may be applied, up to 140°F, for faster results.
The “SAFE” in SAFE STRIP, No More “MEK”
SAFE STRIP gains appeal when seen as an environmentally friendly cleaning solvent. Compared to its peers using Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), SAFE STRIP has a much lower Inhalation Hazard Index in addition to the following environmental and safety features:
SAFE STRIP is Versatile and Environmentally Friendly
SAFE STRIP is recyclable and may be vacuum distilled or decanted to clean for reuse. Having a reusable solvent not only provides more bang for your buck, but adds to its benefit as a strong performing and environmentally preferred solvent. You might also take a look at our new product, SAFE STRIP G, which is a gel formulation that can adhere to vertical and overhead surfaces for residue removal. Click the product name to learn more about SAFE STRIP and the new gel solvent SAFE STRIP G.
If SAFE STRIP Sounds Right for You, Give Us a Call 800-563-1305
If you’re interested in this product and would like a sample, you can reach us at (800) 563-1305 or email us at safestrip@ecolink.com. SAFE STRIP is also available for purchase in our shop in the following quantities:
Understanding Cleaning Solvents: What is a Volatile Solvent & are there Other Options?
/in Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersBy technical definition, volatile solvents are substances that demonstrate a high degree of volatility in one or more contexts for one or more reasons. A volatile solvent can be classified in several ways, including: the agent in its formulation that causes volatility, whether the agent is manmade or organic, and the potential problems that the volatility is known to cause.
In this entry, we look at a particular class of volatile solvents, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), defining what they are and discussing what can be done to limit the negative repercussions of their volatility to help protect human health, particularly in industrial work settings, where an unusually high volume of volatile solvent is used in a given period of time.
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?
Volatile organic compounds — a term that is typically shortened to the initialism “VOC” — are organic chemicals that have a high evaporation rate at room temperature. For example, the VOC formaldehyde, which is frequently found in commercial paint, has a boiling point of –2 °F. This means that the chemical will rapidly evaporate when the paint can is opened or the paint is sprayed onto a surface using mechanical pressurization equipment or an aerosol solution.
Concerning their origin, VOCs can be separated into two broad classes: biologically generated (i.e., naturally occurring) and anthropogenic (i.e., made by humans). Both classes of VOCs are widely used in industrial work processes, from painting, to degreasing, to the application of protective coatings. Examples of VOCs that are commonly used in industrial settings — or were commonly used before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated their use — are:
Not all VOCs are as harmful to human health as others. For example, chronic exposure to benzene is strongly associated with cancer, whereas the biologically generated VOC myrcene has no such connection. However, when a VOC is harmful to human health but must nonetheless be used in industrial processes, the company or organization should implement a set of strict safety measures to protect workers from inhaling vapor from the substance.
Protecting Against Toxic VOC Exposure
Unlike exposure to destructive agents such as hydrochloric acid, which can cause immediate, permanent injury, persistent injuries from exposure to toxic VOCs often occur gradually — and the primary method of exposure that causes the injuries is well known: inhalation. Consequently, any work environment where a dangerous, volatile solvent is used should feature the following protective measures to help prevent workers from receiving health threatening injuries.
VOCs are sometimes misconstrued to be safe due to their organic nature, but this isn’t always the case. That is why it’s important to work with an experienced provider of industrial solvent solutions before you order a volatile solvent. If you need assistance selecting an industrial solvent for a specific cleaning operation or general cleaning, contact the solvent specialists at Ecolink today by calling (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website.
Vapor Cleaning 101: What is Vapor Pressure?
/in Vapor Degreasing/by Industrial DegreasersPressure is an essential catalyst for performing industrial parts cleaning operations. When we think of work processes where pressure is used to remove accumulations, we often think of applying pressure manually, using of a liquid solvent and an applicator such as a hand brush, or applying pressure with spray technologies such as aerosol and power washing units.
Moreover, we typically think of applying cleaners in liquid form, but certain cleaners can also be used in pressurized, vaporous form. Because vapor is diffuse and tends to disappear quickly in open air, vapor cleaning is performed using a special machine that pressurizes the vapor from a heated cleaning solution and prevents it from escaping. Regardless of the machine and cleaner used, the success of the operation depends on pressurized vapor.
What is Vapor Pressure?
Also known as equilibrium vapor pressure, vapor pressure is defined as “The pressure exerted by a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases (solid or liquid) at a given temperature in a closed system” (Wikipedia).
The vapor comes from a cleaning solution that is placed inside the closed system, where it is heated to produce vapor. The closed system is the machine in which workpieces are placed to be cleaned by vapor pressure.
Vapor cleaning is a relatively simple measure that even those who are new to the process can understand. However, the process can become fraught with complexities, unless the right cleaning agent is used, the right vapor cleaning equipment is in place, and the combination of the two is suitable for thoroughly cleaning the work pieces in question. This is why many companies and organizations turn to Ecolink for advice on industrial vapor cleaning.
How Ecolink Can Help
Vapor cleaning is a highly efficient cleaning process in terms of solvent use and first pass yield rate, which is the rate at which pieces are properly cleaned on the first attempt. If your vapor cleaning operations have an undesirable first pass yield rate, it may be because the wrong type of cleaner is used, or because the closed system cleaning unit applies a level of pressure that is insufficient for removing the accumulations.
Regardless of the cause, the solvent specialists at Ecolink can help you implement a better vapor cleaning system by carefully examining your needs in terms of what must be cleaned, the machine in which soiled workpieces are placed, and the vapor cleaning agent that removes the soil. We don’t sell vapor cleaning equipment, but we do offer industrial grade cleaning solvents and understand how they work within the context of the equipment.
Give Us a Call Today
For assistance with fine tuning your vapor cleaning operations, contact our product specialists today by calling (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website. We are an industry-leading supplier of environmentally preferred and environmentally safe industrial cleaning solutions. With us serving as your trusted solvent supplier, you can be sure that you receive the right eco friendly cleaners for your requirements. Give us a call today!
How to Choose the Right Metal Degreaser Products: An Overview
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersMetal can accumulate a considerable layer of grease on it surface in restaurant environments, the operation of vehicle engines, and grease traps for restaurants and other entities. However, when it comes to cleaning away accumulations grease on restaurant surfaces to make them more sanitary, degreasing engines to keep them in top condition, and cleaning waste traps so grease doesn’t accumulate on the sides, not just any type of metal degreaser will do.
Choosing Metal Degreaser Products
If you aren’t sure exactly what type of metal degreaser products you need for your metal degreasing operations, it’s important to consult the following, four-part checklist before you move forward and purchase a significant supply of industrial grade metal degreaser products.
When metal is heated to its “transformation point”, the microstructure of the metal takes on different characteristics than it possessed prior to the high-heat, degreasing process. For example, although carbon steel seldom breaks or cracks while being degreased in a parts washing system, if the system heats or cools too fast, the weakened dimensional stability of the metal workpiece due to internal stresses — which are the opposite of ductility — could result.
As mentioned above, some metals perform better at unusually high temperatures than others. For example, the chemical compound chromium is highly corrosion resistant under normal conditions. However, unless chromium is fluxed or placed in an atmosphere-controlled furnace that eliminates oxygen, there’s a good chance chromium will corrode and ruin the piece that was supposed to have a shiny, stainless steel appearance on exiting the furnace.
It’s also important to choose a degreaser based on the specs of your parts washing system that is used to degrease small and moderate size parts. In addition to pure compatibility, it’s ideal to choose vapor metal degreaser products that condense excess solvent in a solvent containment system (located in the machine), from which they can be taken, purified, and reused. Using this system has the potential to reduce solvent expense.
Here, we are talking about degreasers whose components are toxic to humans, and thus compel the EPA and other regulatory agencies to make them “reportable”. nPB (a.k.a. N-propyl bromide and 1-bromopropane) is a perfect example of this type of degreaser. Considering the acute and chronic negative health effects nPB can cause in human and animals, companies are largely moving to replace nPB with eco friendly degreasers that offer just as much power.
Need Help Degreasing Metal Products?
The word “metal” is a broad description of substances that have metallic qualities that result from the presence of real metal. Metal is a highly durable, attractive product when it’s properly maintained, such as when it is degreased on schedule. If your company or organization needs assistance selecting the right metal degreaser products for its needs, contact Ecolink today at (800) 563-1305, or use our contact form. We look forward to supporting your degreasing needs.
Metal Industrial Solvents for Cleaning Stainless Steel: An Overview
/in Solvents/by Industrial DegreasersStainless steel — of which there are many grades — is one of the most popular types of metal used in residential, commercial, and industrial operations. The are three reasons why: Stainless steel has a shiny, non-corrosive appearance that helps keep products and environments looking clean, the metal demonstrates excellent dimensional ability, and chromium in the alloy, which gives the metal its shiny appearance is remarkably corrosion resistant under normal conditions.
Cleaning Stainless Steel: Do’s and Don’ts
Large companies and organizations that have consistent metal degreasing needs look for solutions that produce the best results. At the same time, many entities use metal industrial degreasing solvents to great, positive effect. To show what we mean, consider the table below that highlights metal industrial solvents — both good and bad — to help you choose the right one.
The table above shows solutions that have a relatively long history of cleaning metal in one way or another. However, degreasing your parts and equipment is only a part of the equation. You should also consider the acute and chronic health effects your metal cleaning solutions have on workers — considerations that are only becoming more emphasized as the EPA and OSHA perform studies perform and refer to studies that paint solvents with toxic profiles in a bad light.
If you don’t pay attention to the EPA’s latest findings on solvents (e.g. nPB or n-propyl bromide), workers could experience dizziness, confusion, and slurred speech — just to name a few negative health conditions — that could compromise productivity, as well as lead to an increase in sick days taken, workers compensation lawsuits filed, and chemical injury lawsuits settled. Experiencing these fallouts on a regular basis could significantly reduce the bottom line.
In addition, neurological damage, unsteady walking, paresthesia, and permanently reduced earning capacity can happen to workers with long exposures times to toxic chemicals (usually at least a year) — and these are the cases that often lead to chemical injury suits.
Need Metal Industrial Solvents?
If you need metal industrial solvents that apply specifically to cleaning stainless steel, we offer a variety of environmentally preferred or environmentally safe solvents for cleaning unwanted accretions away from the chromium alloy that can be polished to a brilliant, almost mirror-like shine. Our solvents also ensure that your stainless parts and systems retain their dimensional stability, as they shine.
Please inquire, or order the products you need today, by calling (800) 563-1305, or use the contact form on our website, We look forward to helping you select the best metal industrial solvents for all of your organization’s one-time or ongoing cleaning needs.