Surface tension - challenge and opportunity at the same time

Trichloroethylene has been used to clean metal parts coated with oil-based lubricants for about 90 years. As early as 1924, a well-known car manufacturer used trichloroethylene in automatic systems for cleaning pressed parts.

A lot has changed in the 90 years, especially from a technological point of view, but the basic requirement for a workpiece before further processing is still the same.

Before the parts can be further processed, unwanted residues must be completely removed from the surface. So that the desired quality can be tested and maintained by a measurable standard, the surface tension is measured in the unit of mN/m. Test inks or test pens are used for the measurement.

Especially in downstream bonding or welding processes, it is important that the surface tension is within the tolerance.

Chlorinated oils are the greatest enemy of the cleaning system as well as the solvent during processing. The resulting hydrogen chlorides (hydrochloric acid or hydrochloric acid) are among the strongest acids that attack components of the system as well as the parts to be cleaned.

IMPAG advises you and offers oil compatibility tests as well as washing tests in cooperation with plant manufacturers. Such services pay off quickly, especially when it comes to the longevity of your equipment and solvents.

In the laboratory, surface contamination is analysed and washing tests are carried out in closed systems filled with modified alcohol or isoparaffinic hydrocarbon. This simplifies your choice of cleaning equipment and solvent.

IMPAG offer

• Oil compatibility tests
• Solvent analyses
• Highly stabilised solvents
• Customer training and consulting
• Cleaning tests
• Disposal

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