As a solvent, Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is an excellent option for dissolving accumulations that are classified as non-polar compounds, such as carbon deposits. In addition to its efficacy for dissolving these substances, IPA is also prized for its fast evaporation rate, relatively non-toxic formulation compared to alternative solvents of its generation, and the fact that it leaves practically no oil traces that could residually collect on surfaces and draw dirt and grime.
However, along with IPA’s solvent benefits come some potential drawbacks. For one, IPA has a low flashpoint that can create a fire hazard. Also, the solvent emits an unpleasant odor that can cause temporary, negative health conditions, such as drowsiness and dizziness. A third potential drawback of using IPA is that repeated, high exposure to the liquid has been known to cause more serious health conditions, even death.
Storing Your IPA Bulk Order
Organizations that have industrial cleaning needs often place IPA bulk orders because IPA is so effective at dissolving soils produced in industrial work environments, and is thus used in large quantities over short periods of time. This leads us to the topic of how bulk orders of IPA should be stored in order to minimize potential drawbacks. By taking the following four preparations for storing your IPA bulk order, you can increase safety in the work environment.
- Check to See if Drums are Tightly Sealed
When your IPA bulk order arrives at the receiving dock, carefully check the seal on each drum to see if it is compromised. The drums should be in perfect condition when they are shipped, but there’s always a slight possibility that drums could be damaged during transit due to unexpected events in the freight compartment. Performing a visual inspection of the seal and checking the tightness of the seal gently with your hand should be sufficient.
- Store Drums in a Low Fire Hazard Area
Drums of IPA should ideally be stored in a low fire hazard area. The area should be free of materials that easily combust (e.g., cardboard, low-grade plastics, and wood). The area should also be free of obvious, potential catalysts for combustion (e.g., electrical switchgear, furnaces with pilot lights, and machinery that creates sparks). Storing IPA in this type of area will help prevent combustion and limit damage if combustion occurs.
- Perform an Odor Test After Storing Drums
As a final safety measure, check the seals on your drums again by performing an odor test. You can do this by using a handheld odor meter that’s designed to detect infinitesimal amounts of odor in industrial environments. However, because IPA has a fast evaporation rate, you may be able to detect odor that comes from an imperfect seal by using your nose.
Whether you use an odor meter or sense of smell, here’s a good way to perform the test: (a) Place the drums in the low fire hazard storage area; (b) if possible, close the door to the storage area for about 8 hours, (c) then return to the area to perform the test. If the drums are stored in a large area that would make vaporous emissions diffuse, using an odor detector near the seal of each drum is the best strategy.
Make Safe Storage a Priority
IPA is a highly efficacious, affordable solvent solution for removing a variety of soils that accumulate on surfaces in industrial environments. However, due to the solvent’s low flashpoint and odorous vapors that can cause health ailments, it’s a smart idea to make the preparations above when storing your IPA bulk order.
If you need a supplier for IPA bulk orders, contact Ecolink today by calling (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We supply 99% IPA in 55 gallon drums and ensure that each drum is in excellent condition when shipped.
The Advantages of Using Water Based Solvents for a Parts Washer
/in Parts Washer/by Industrial DegreasersWhen we think about cleaning things with water, we often about removing light accumulations of dirt and food based residues. Water works great for removing these substances, but it can also remove much tougher accumulations when it is used in the form of an industrial grade water based solvent that is placed in an industrial parts washing system.
If your organization is in the market for parts washer solvents, there are several advantages to using a water based solvents for a parts washer instead of relying on chemical based solvents that contain an easily measurable percentage of toxic ingredients. Below, we look at five of these advantages to help you determine whether water based solvents would be a good option for your needs.
Unlike plain water, water based solvents for a parts washer often feature super ionized water, which is water that has a significantly higher concentration of hydrogen atoms (a.k.a. ions) than tap water. This unique, alkaline formulation excels as an all-purpose parts cleaner. The highly alkalinized water molecules bind to soils and lift them away from the surface of soiled parts.
Water based solvents can be just as efficacious as chemical based solvents that use harsh, toxic ingredients to power away tough accumulations. However, compared to toxic cleaners, which commonly produce hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), water based cleaners tend to be better for the environment. This is primarily because their main ingredient is purified water.
Even when water based solvents for a parts washer contain ingredients that require workers to follow OSHA safety standards, the fact that their main ingredient is water means that they produce a lower level of harmful emissions than a solvent whose main ingredient is a hazardous chemical. The fewer HAPs a cleaner emits, the fewer health problems it precipitates in workers.
Because water is a plentiful substance, water based solvents often have a lower price point than chemical based solvents. An exception is when a chemical based solvent contains cheap chemicals and a water based solvent contains additional ingredients that aren’t so inexpensive. However, if you need to reduce solvent costs, water based solvents are generally a good option.
Water based solvents are also a great option for organizations that need to minimize harmful emissions, particularly organizations located in low emission zones (LEZs), where caps on emissions are exceptionally tight. Even you don’t have an emissions issue to contend with, using eco friendly water based solvents will help you be a good steward to the environment.
Looking for Water Based Solvents for a Parts Washer?
If you need water based solvents for a parts washing system, Ecolink has a variety of stock solutions to choose from. We also create custom solvents for organizations that need solvents that are tailored to unique cleaning requirements. To get started on choosing a water based solvent, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact page on our website. We look forward to providing you with a non-toxic, water based solvent for your parts washing needs.
Essential Preparations for Storing Your IPA Bulk Order
/in IPA/by Industrial DegreasersAs a solvent, Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is an excellent option for dissolving accumulations that are classified as non-polar compounds, such as carbon deposits. In addition to its efficacy for dissolving these substances, IPA is also prized for its fast evaporation rate, relatively non-toxic formulation compared to alternative solvents of its generation, and the fact that it leaves practically no oil traces that could residually collect on surfaces and draw dirt and grime.
However, along with IPA’s solvent benefits come some potential drawbacks. For one, IPA has a low flashpoint that can create a fire hazard. Also, the solvent emits an unpleasant odor that can cause temporary, negative health conditions, such as drowsiness and dizziness. A third potential drawback of using IPA is that repeated, high exposure to the liquid has been known to cause more serious health conditions, even death.
Storing Your IPA Bulk Order
Organizations that have industrial cleaning needs often place IPA bulk orders because IPA is so effective at dissolving soils produced in industrial work environments, and is thus used in large quantities over short periods of time. This leads us to the topic of how bulk orders of IPA should be stored in order to minimize potential drawbacks. By taking the following four preparations for storing your IPA bulk order, you can increase safety in the work environment.
When your IPA bulk order arrives at the receiving dock, carefully check the seal on each drum to see if it is compromised. The drums should be in perfect condition when they are shipped, but there’s always a slight possibility that drums could be damaged during transit due to unexpected events in the freight compartment. Performing a visual inspection of the seal and checking the tightness of the seal gently with your hand should be sufficient.
Drums of IPA should ideally be stored in a low fire hazard area. The area should be free of materials that easily combust (e.g., cardboard, low-grade plastics, and wood). The area should also be free of obvious, potential catalysts for combustion (e.g., electrical switchgear, furnaces with pilot lights, and machinery that creates sparks). Storing IPA in this type of area will help prevent combustion and limit damage if combustion occurs.
As a final safety measure, check the seals on your drums again by performing an odor test. You can do this by using a handheld odor meter that’s designed to detect infinitesimal amounts of odor in industrial environments. However, because IPA has a fast evaporation rate, you may be able to detect odor that comes from an imperfect seal by using your nose.
Whether you use an odor meter or sense of smell, here’s a good way to perform the test: (a) Place the drums in the low fire hazard storage area; (b) if possible, close the door to the storage area for about 8 hours, (c) then return to the area to perform the test. If the drums are stored in a large area that would make vaporous emissions diffuse, using an odor detector near the seal of each drum is the best strategy.
Make Safe Storage a Priority
IPA is a highly efficacious, affordable solvent solution for removing a variety of soils that accumulate on surfaces in industrial environments. However, due to the solvent’s low flashpoint and odorous vapors that can cause health ailments, it’s a smart idea to make the preparations above when storing your IPA bulk order.
If you need a supplier for IPA bulk orders, contact Ecolink today by calling (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We supply 99% IPA in 55 gallon drums and ensure that each drum is in excellent condition when shipped.
Choosing a Solvent Parts Washer: A Step-by-Step Guide
/in Parts Washer/by Industrial DegreasersA solvent parts washer is a unique machine that is designed to clean parts by treating them with solvent that is contained in the washing chamber. For organizations that need to wash a large volume of parts on a regular basis, manually cleaning the parts is often unfeasible, as it would require too much time. The only alternative is to use a solvent parts washer that cleans parts safely and quickly. With this in mind, we take a look at how to choose the right parts washer for your needs.
Step one is to consider the composition of the parts you need to clean. For example, in terms of a washer’s operating temperature and the type of solvent it contains, there is a big difference between cleaning stainless steel parts and cleaning parts that are made from vulcanized rubber. Choosing a washer based on composition of parts helps preserve the appearance and dimensional stability of cleaned parts.
Step two is to determine what type of accumulations must be removed from parts. For example, in terms of solvent choice, there’s a significant difference between weak solvents that simply remove dirt and tough solvents that cut through thick carbon accumulations. Choosing a solvent that’s effective for removing the accumulations in question helps prevent rework that hinders productivity.
Step three is to calculate how quickly you need parts to be cleaned after they are placed in the solvent parts washer. If you need a fast turnaround time, choosing a washer that has a larger than normal washing chamber can help greatly. Also, be sure to consider the time it takes to complete the cleaning process, as some washers have longer cleaning processes than others.
Step four is to predict how frequently you will use the parts washing system. If you need to perform parts washing daily or several times a week, investing in an industrial grade washer is ideal. Residential grade and commercial grade parts washers may cost less than industrial grade models. However, using them for industrial parts cleaning operations can cause them to wear prematurely and fail during service.
Step five is to consider the full range of parts cleaning needs in terms of what solvents are required to remove what collects on parts. For example, if you need to remove tough accumulations of bitumen, as well as moderate accumulations of grease, you may need a different solvent for each cleaning process, unless you use a solvent that can remove multiple accumulations simultaneously. The latter option offers the most efficiency.
Need Help Choosing a Solvent Parts Washer?
If so, contact the solvent specialists at Ecolink. Although we don’t sell parts washers, we do provide a line of highly efficacious parts washing solvents that have commendable safety profiles. Consequently, we have an in-depth understanding of what type of solvent parts washers and cleaning solvents to use for various industrial parts cleaning operations.
For years, we have provided organizations with industrial grade solvents that work great for the toughest parts cleaning jobs. If you need help selecting the right parts washer and parts washing solvent for your requirements, take advantage of our expertise, and call us at (800) 563-1305. You can also reach us by referring to the contact page on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
Choosing an Electrical Component Cleaner: Ideal Characteristics
/in Electrical Contact Cleaning Solutions/by Industrial DegreasersThe type of electrical component cleaner you use can significantly impact the integrity of the parts you clean and the safety of the cleaning operation. That is why it’s important to develop a list of characteristics that you ideally need in an electrical component cleaner before you place an order. In this entry, we present a checklist of six characteristics that practically every organization should consider when it comes time to choose a cleaner for electrical components.
The dielectric in a component cleaner is a substance that impedes the flow of electricity through the cleaner, which helps prevent the user from being injured by electrical shock while applying the cleaner. Using a solution that has a high dielectric strength is essential for cleaning energized components. It also provides added safety for cleaning any part that could carry an electrical current.
Using a cleaner that is non flammable is the ideal choice for cleaning energized equipment, particularly high-voltage equipment such as industrial grade switchgear, which could produce a powerful, hot arc flash that contains enough heat to transform the microstructure of metal. Using a non flammable formulation is also beneficial because it helps you store the cleaner without creating a fire hazard.
Metal can be a strong material and an excellent conductor of electricity. This is why electrical components are frequently composed of metal and situated inside metal housing that helps protect them. While you could always choose a cleaner that is designed for a specific type of metal, it often makes more sense to select one that’s non corrosive to all metal, as electrical components are made from various types of alloys.
If you need to clean electrical components without removing them from the equipment they serve, using a cleaner that is non corrosive to plastic and rubber has an obvious benefit: It won’t corrode rubber electrical wire sheaths, plastic electrical wire harnesses, or other plastic and rubber components that may be found in the equipment’s electrical operating system.
Using a cleaner that evaporates quickly serves two purposes: It helps you perform cleaning operations that require a fast turnaround time within the proper timeframe, and it helps prevent the cleaner from sabotaging the operation of electrical equipment due to wetted components that don’t dry quickly enough. As long as a spray cleaner or an aerosol cleaner is sufficiently powerful, a high evaporation rate is almost always a desirable characteristic.
Using an electrical component cleaner that leaves a residue can cause parts to accumulate dirt and grime faster than they would if a non residue cleaner were used, as the residue makes it easier for unwanted accumulations to adhere to parts. “Residue-free” is a highly popular characteristic among electrical component cleaners. You can find this type of cleaner with ease.
Need a New Electrical Component Cleaner?
If so, Ecolink can provide you with a solution that features the important characteristics above, as well as other traits that address the requirements of your component cleaning operations. In addition to supplying stock electrical component cleaner that’s available for immediate shipment, we also create custom cleaners that are tailored to customers’ unique needs, and have a faster turnaround time for these cleaners than many of our competitors.
For assistance with choosing the best electrical component cleaner for your cleaning requirements, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact page on our website.
Electrical Spray Cleaner Vs. Electrical Aerosol Cleaner: A Comparison
/in Electrical Contact Cleaning Solutions/by Industrial DegreasersThe term “spray cleaner” is often used to refer to pump action sprays and aerosol sprays alike. However, in the solvent industry, the term commonly applies to the pump action spray method, whereas the term “aerosol cleaner” is obviously used to refer to aerosol dispersal. This is how we will use the terms in this entry, as we compare electrical spray cleaner and electrical aerosol cleaner to help you determine whether they would be a good fit your parts cleaning needs.
Because electrical spray cleaner can be purchased in bulk quantities and placed inside sprayers, it often has a better price point than aerosol cleaner, which naturally comes in the form of aerosol cans. If spray cleaner would work as well as aerosol cleaner for your electrical parts cleaning needs, choosing the former may require the lowest upfront investment.
Because aerosol cleaner emits a steady rate of liquid particles at a steady rate of speed, it tends to disperse more uniformly on parts than electrical spray cleaner. Consequently, aerosol is often used for parts cleaning operations where efficiency is a prime concern. Because aerosol tends to disperse more evenly than spray, its application tends to be more efficient.
Thanks to its easily controlled release and uniform dispersal, electrical aerosol cleaner often sends a lower volume of solvent into the waste trap than electrical spray cleaner. The latter can be applied with great control, too. However, because liquid particles from spray bottles aren’t as fine as aerosol particles, they have a greater tendency to drip away from the parts they clean.
When it comes to dielectric strength, electrical spray cleaner and electric aerosol cleaner are equal. Dielectric strength is achieved through dielectric formulation of the cleaner and not through its method of dispersal. You can find the same dielectric strength in either type of cleaner.
Electrical spray cleaner and electrical aerosol cleaner can also be equal when it comes to evaporation rate. However, because aerosols emit finer particles than most sprays, you may find that it takes slightly longer for a spray to evaporate from cleaned parts. In most cases, the additional evaporation time doesn’t pose a problem, as evaporation occurs quickly, nonetheless.
Need Help Selecting a Cleaner?
If you need an electrical parts cleaner and are trying to decide between using an electrical spray cleaner and a electrical aerosol cleaner, the solvent specialists at Ecolink will help you choose the best option for your needs based on the considerations above, as well as the type of parts you need to clean. We offer a great selection of readymade pump spray and aerosol cleaners for electrical parts. We can also formulate custom cleaners for your specific needs.
For helping selecting the right electrical spray cleaner or electrical aerosol spray cleaner, please call us today at (800) 563-1305, or use the contact page on our website. We look forward to supplying you with the best solution!