MIL-PRF 680C Type II degreasing solutions deliver excellent cleaning power. This is why they are commonly used for military-grade degreasing operations and industrial-grade degreasing procedures that require the removal of large amounts of grease in a short period of time. In total, there are five traditional types MIL-PRF 680C. Below, we look at how these solutions compare to MIL-PRF 680C Type II using five criteria: flashpoint, aromatic content, odor, and KB value.
Flashpoint
The higher its flashpoint, the less likely a degreaser is to ignite when it is used for the intended application. Types, I, II, III, IV, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have the following flashpoints, respectively: 100-140°F, 141-198°F, 200-241°F, 141-198°F, and 141-198°F. Degreasing operations that require a cleaner with a mid-range flashpoint are often performed with MIL-PRF 680C Type II. MIL-PRF 680C Type V is implemented when the highest flashpoint is required.
Aromatic Content
Aromatic content refers to components in degreasers that are known to have aromatic qualities before they are formulated with other ingredients. In some cases, the inclusion of aromatic content is purposeful; it is intended to give a degreaser a clean scent. In other cases, natural elements such as VOCs create aromatic content. Types, I, II, III, IV, and V of MIL-PRF 680C all contain roughly 1% of aromatic content by volume, locking them in a tie for this criterion.
Odor
Odor is naturally tied to aromatic content, but it is not the same thing. Rather, odor is best described as the persistence of smells that aromatic content releases. In some situations, odor is undesirable but not harmful. In other situations, especially those in which odor results from high VOC content, odor can harmful indeed. Types, I, II, III, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have an odor rating of “low and non-residual”. Type V has an odor rating of “citrus and non-residual.”
Kb Value
Wikipedia defines Kb value as “an international, standardized measure of solvent power for a hydrocarbon solvent [that] is governed by an ASTM standardized test, ASTM D1133. Types, I, II, III, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have a Kb value of 27-45, whereas Type V has a Kb value that may not be rated, depending on the solution. Solutions that have Kb values in the mid 20s are considered “mild”, while those that have a value in the 40s or above are considered aggressive.
Need a MIL-PRF 680C Type II Replacement? – BUY IT NOW
If so, Ecolink has just the product for your heavy-duty, manually applied degreasing procedures: New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner. This product meets the cleaning requirements of MIL-PRF 680C Type II, but it contains no odor, no water, is fully evaporative, is non-corrosive, has a high flashpoint of 145°F, and contains no hazardous ingredients according to the EPA.
These qualities make New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner an excellent option for various types of degreasing applications. For help determining whether New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner is a good option for your degreasing needs, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to assisting you!
Four Reasons to Switch to a Non Flammable Parts Cleaner
/in Non Flammable/by Industrial DegreasersAs a general category of cleaning solvent, parts cleaner is conventionally formulated with ingredients that have a flash point, which means they will ignite when exposed to the right amount of heat. When a flame or a spark touches the solutions when they are wet, they can ignite instantly, causing damage to parts they were used to clean and the person performing the job — a scenario that could potentially cost millions in lost equipment and legal settlements.
Benefits of Using Non Flammable Parts Cleaner
Preventing equipment damage and avoiding injury lawsuits are two reasons why companies switch out their conventional parts cleaner with one that doesn’t have a flash point, but there are also some additional, more commonplace benefits that companies receive when they switch from a flammable to a non flammable parts cleaner, four of which are presented below.
Broader Spectrum of Application
Flammable parts cleaner should never be used for some applications, such as cleaning energized electrical parts in maintenance applications that require a quick turnaround (e.g., degreasing the engine of an airliner before it returns to the runway). Because many maintenance applications ideally require the use of a non flammable parts cleaner, it is only sensible to switch to a non flammable solution that can be used for a wider variety of cleaning applications.
Easier to Comply With Fire Codes
Many states and municipalities have adopted a version of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30). Using a flammable parts cleaner may mean that your company must use the solution within the parameters of the code, which can impact how much solution you can use, and how you can use it. Using a non flammable parts cleaner helps you avoid implementing NFPA 30 compliance measures.
More Options for Cleaner Storage
Parts cleaner that has a low flash point often presents concerns regarding how it should be stored. Ideally, it should be located in an area where no combustibles are present, including electrical infrastructure components that could ignite due to an arc flash or faulty electrical components. A non flammable cleaner, on the other hand, presents no such concerns. If need be, you can store it alongside combustibles without worrying about creating a fiery aftermath.
Reduced Protective Equipment Expense
Workers who use flammable cleaning solutions for applications that could cause them to ignite should be provided with flame retardant personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers head to toe coverage. If your company has a large workforce that uses flammable cleaners, providing such a high level of PPE can become quite costly. Although non flammable cleaners may not eliminate the need for PPE, they may allow you to invest in a less costly level of the equipment.
Contact Ecolink Today
If your company currently uses a parts cleaner that has a flash point — however high or low it may be — switching to a non-flammable parts cleaner offers some obvious benefits, particularly the four listed above. If you are in the market for a non-flammable, commercial grade cleaning solution, Ecolink can provide you with a ready made parts cleaner or a specially formulated parts cleaner that is non flammable and meets a wide variety of crucial parts cleaning needs.
For assistance choosing the best non flammable parts cleaner for your cleaning applications, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to supplying you with a non flammable solution that helps you realize the benefits listed above.
Selecting a Flux Remover for Stainless Steel Brazing
/in Flux Removal/by Industrial DegreasersIn the field of metallurgy, flux remover is applied to stainless steel and other alloys to prevent them from oxidizing when they are heat treated. However, when it comes to brazing stainless steel, flux is not the go-to solution for preventing oxidization while the metal is treated.
Instead, the alloy is typically placed in an “atmosphere-controlled” furnace that removes oxygen from the heating chamber and creates an environment where the metal can be treated without experiencing the ill effects of oxidation: a tarnished appearance and weak dimensional stability.
Stainless Steel’s Metallurgical Profile
Stainless steel is a chromium alloy that contains at least 10.5 percent chromium by mass. Chromium is the chemical element that gives stainless steel its characteristic shine and excellent anti-corrosive properties under normal conditions. However, when chromium is heat treated in the presence of oxygen, it oxidizes rapidly, causing the metal to develop a tarnished, drossy appearance. The layer of oxide can also weaken the assembly’s braze joints.
This is why stainless steel is typically brazed using a furnace that maintains a pure nitrogen or hydrogen atmosphere, or removes all gasses from the heating chamber. Furnaces that are commonly used to braze stainless steel assemblies include: atmosphere-controlled continuous furnace, vacuum furnaces, and bell annealers. However, there are occasions when an assembly is simply too large to fit inside a furnace and must be brazed in open air.
Brazing Stainless Steel in Open Air
When a stainless steel assembly must be brazed in open air, the braze joints are formed using a high-powered torch that melts the filler metal and causes it to fuse the workpieces into an assembly when it cools. When this procedure is performed, flux should be applied to the braze joints and the adjacent areas to prevent a stable layer of oxide from forming on the metal.
As long as the flux is formulated to use with stainless steel, it prevents the metal from oxidizing. However, it isn’t uncommon for flux to leave behind a residue. When this happens, flux remover for stainless steel can be applied to remove the residue. Without the application of flux remover, sections of the assembly that were covered in flux are likely to have a tarnished appearance.
Where to Find a Flux Remover
When choosing a flux remover for stainless steel, it is important to select a product that has no ingredients that tarnish chromium alloys, such as ammonia and corrosive elements that the EPA lists. At Ecolink, we provide flux remover whose natural formulation makes it an excellent choice for treating sensitive metals. If one of our ready-made solutions doesn’t meet your needs, we will create a custom product that addresses your unique requirements.
For assistance choosing a flux remover for stainless steel, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to providing you with a flux removal solution that is safe to use on stainless steel and safe to use in the work environment, as well!
MIL-PRF 680 B and PD 680 Type II: Why Are They Undesirable Cleaners?
/in Eco Friendly/by Industrial DegreasersAs environmental consciousness and safety consciousness in the workplace have increased, many conventional cleaning solutions have been severely regulated or banned by the EPA. For example, MIL-PRF 680 B and PD 680 Type II are two cleaning solutions whose use in industrial and commercial settings has been significantly curtailed or eliminated due to deleterious effects the solutions can have on the natural environment and those who routinely use the products.
What’s Wrong With MIL-PRF 680 B?
In April 2010, the cleaning solvent industry officially replaced MIL-PRF 680 B with MIL-PRF 680 C. Unlike the former solution, the latter one has a higher flashpoint (145°F), better solvency, lower VOC content (17 grams/liter), is fully evaporative and non-residual, and is approved for government and military use. The solution is also widely used by other types of entities, as well.
For the EPA, of particular concern are the VOCs in MIL-PRF 680 B. In addition to potentially causing chronic health problems in those who are routinely exposed to them, VOCs can also harm the environment by creating toxic emissions. Most VOCs evaporate at room temperature. Consequently, eliminating VOCs is typically far easier than trying to control them in vapor form.
What’s Wrong With PD 680 Type II?
This solution (a.k.a. mineral spirits or Stoddard solvent) experienced a similar fate as MIL-PRF 680 B for some of the same reasons. Although the Type II formulation of PD 680 has many dangerous aromatic hydrocarbons removed, it nonetheless has two strikes against it: The cleaner is formulated as a petroleum distillate, and exposure to it can cause health problems.
The EPA disfavors petroleum distillates due to the carnage that they can cause if spilled on water or land. Furthermore, resolving a large spill typically entails a costly clean up effort. Concerning its effects on humans, PD 680 Type II is still considered quite dangerous, despite the removal of most aromatic hydrocarbons. Chronic inhalation of vapors from the solution is reported to cause permanent brain damage and damage to the central nervous system.
Identifying Replacement Solutions
If your company or organization is looking for permanent substitutions for MIL-PRF 680 B and PD 680 Type II — replacements that will remain in good standing with the EPA — we recommend switching to Ecolink 250 SS or MIL PRF 680 Type II or Type IV. These solutions have a better safety profile than the solutions they replace, while delivering the same cleaningpower of the replaced solutions. In switching cleaners, you get a safer solution with the same efficacy.
To learn if these solutions are viable replacements for your current solutions, call us at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. If these solutions are not ideal for your cleaning needs, we will identify solutions that are perfect for the job. If necessary, we can even create a custom cleaning solution that is tailored to your specific cleaning process. With new solutions in place, you can stop worrying about EPA regulations and focus on core business.
MIL-PRF 680C Type II: How Does it Compare to Other Types of MIL-PRF 680C?
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersMIL-PRF 680C Type II degreasing solutions deliver excellent cleaning power. This is why they are commonly used for military-grade degreasing operations and industrial-grade degreasing procedures that require the removal of large amounts of grease in a short period of time. In total, there are five traditional types MIL-PRF 680C. Below, we look at how these solutions compare to MIL-PRF 680C Type II using five criteria: flashpoint, aromatic content, odor, and KB value.
Flashpoint
The higher its flashpoint, the less likely a degreaser is to ignite when it is used for the intended application. Types, I, II, III, IV, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have the following flashpoints, respectively: 100-140°F, 141-198°F, 200-241°F, 141-198°F, and 141-198°F. Degreasing operations that require a cleaner with a mid-range flashpoint are often performed with MIL-PRF 680C Type II. MIL-PRF 680C Type V is implemented when the highest flashpoint is required.
Aromatic Content
Aromatic content refers to components in degreasers that are known to have aromatic qualities before they are formulated with other ingredients. In some cases, the inclusion of aromatic content is purposeful; it is intended to give a degreaser a clean scent. In other cases, natural elements such as VOCs create aromatic content. Types, I, II, III, IV, and V of MIL-PRF 680C all contain roughly 1% of aromatic content by volume, locking them in a tie for this criterion.
Odor
Odor is naturally tied to aromatic content, but it is not the same thing. Rather, odor is best described as the persistence of smells that aromatic content releases. In some situations, odor is undesirable but not harmful. In other situations, especially those in which odor results from high VOC content, odor can harmful indeed. Types, I, II, III, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have an odor rating of “low and non-residual”. Type V has an odor rating of “citrus and non-residual.”
Kb Value
Wikipedia defines Kb value as “an international, standardized measure of solvent power for a hydrocarbon solvent [that] is governed by an ASTM standardized test, ASTM D1133. Types, I, II, III, and V of MIL-PRF 680C have a Kb value of 27-45, whereas Type V has a Kb value that may not be rated, depending on the solution. Solutions that have Kb values in the mid 20s are considered “mild”, while those that have a value in the 40s or above are considered aggressive.
Need a MIL-PRF 680C Type II Replacement? – BUY IT NOW
If so, Ecolink has just the product for your heavy-duty, manually applied degreasing procedures: New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner. This product meets the cleaning requirements of MIL-PRF 680C Type II, but it contains no odor, no water, is fully evaporative, is non-corrosive, has a high flashpoint of 145°F, and contains no hazardous ingredients according to the EPA.
These qualities make New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner an excellent option for various types of degreasing applications. For help determining whether New II Environmentally Preferred Parts Cleaner is a good option for your degreasing needs, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to assisting you!
Evaluating Vapor Degreaser Manufacturers: Key Considerations
/in Ecolink News/by Industrial DegreasersIf you do a Google search for the term “vapor degreaser”, you will soon find hundreds of search listings for the product, with most of them coming from different vapor degreaser manufacturers. How do you know which product would work best for your company, or which manufacturer to choose? In this entry, we take an in-depth look at the latter concern: choosing the right manufacturer. The pointers below will help you evaluate vapor degreaser manufacturers.
In House Vs. Outsourced Production Process
Ideally, you should choose a manufacturer that handles the production process in house instead of outsourcing it to a third party. The reason why is plain to see: Vapor degreaser manufacturers that handle their own production process exhibit a greater degree of quality control over the process, and are often more qualified to answer questions about the vapor degreasers they sell.
Formulation of Vapor Degreasing Solutions
In terms of formulation, we are talking about whether the chemical constituency of a vapor degreaser makes it toxic or eco friendly. Furthermore, we are also inquiring about whether it produces hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that could harm workers in addition to the environment. Vapor degreaser manufacturers that offer HAP-free solutions are preferred.
Compliance With EPA Regulations
Since 1990, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the use of hundreds of toxic chemicals in commercial and industrial work environments, and many more are scheduled to be banned or severely regulated in the future. If a manufacturer sells solutions whose ingredients are scheduled to be banned or regulated, look elsewhere for your vapor degreaser.
Suitability for the Degreasing Application
Some vapor degreasers are designed to be used for certain types of vapor degreasing applications, especially in terms of the vapor degreasing equipment that is used to degrease. For the sake of cost, you should ideally choose a degreaser that is intended for the equipment you already have instead of replacing the equipment to comply with a new type of degreasing agent.
Record at the Better Business Bureau
A manufacturer’s record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) doesn’t provide much information about its products, but it can indicate how the company treats customers. When investigating the BBB records of vapor degreaser manufacturers, look past the letter grade and see if their records contain unresolved customer complaints. Manufacturers that have unresolved complaints should be avoided. After all, the next unresolved complaint could be yours.
Need a Vapor Degreaser Manufacturer?
If so, it is imperative to choose one that maintains excellent control over the production process, offers degreasers that feature a non-toxic formulation, sells solutions that comply with EPA regulations, provides degreasers that can be used with your vapor degreasing equipment, and provides a high level or customer service that results in a stellar BBB record. Ecolink possesses these important characteristics, making us a premier supplier of vapor degreasers.
For more information about our line of non-toxic vapor degreasers, give us a call today at (800) 563-1305 to schedule a free consultation, or fill out our contact form. We look forward to providing you with a powerful, eco friendly vapor degreaser that meets your needs!