TechNotes

Q: Our gold plating process leaves some residue and someone recommended chlorine bleach for cleaning, but we’re afraid that will negatively effect the finish. Can Alconox assist with safely removing residues from gold plating? Should we use a soak or ultrasonic cleaning process?

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Q. We have found chlorine present on our printed circuit boards after ultrasonic cleaning and distilled water rinse.  As ultrasonic cleaning detergent, we’re using either Liquinox or Detergent 8, but are unsure which one was used on affected boards.  Could either be contributing to this issue?

A. It’s highly unlikely that either detergent, or your cleaning process, is the source of the chlorine residue.  The cleaning process you described, if using detergent at recommended dilution levels, should successfully remove flux and process residues.  

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Intuition, logic, and maybe even some experiences, can lead us to believe more detergent is better.  These everyday experiences where it might apply include your washing machine, dishwasher, or even your hands in the bathroom sink.  But, what is actually meant by better?  This is where concentration and detergency come into play, terms you may see in our literature and documentation, as well as our responses and solutions to cleaning challenges.

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Q. We are seeing white residue on clear anodized aluminum that we are cleaning with Detojet. Why is this happening and what can we do to prevent it?
A. There are a few reasons this may be happening. 

Possible Reason 1: The Detojet® Low Foaming Liquid Detergent concentration may be too low in the wash cycle and the concentration of calcium, magnesium and iron too high in the water used.  This would result…

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What is the proper way to dispose of your detergents? Detergent disposal in a proper manner is an integral part of a robust cleaning program regardless of scale or industry. Alconox Inc. detergents are biodegradable….

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Q. We need to clean 3D printed plastic parts made of methacrylate. We need to make sure it’s safe for the plastic, but also ensures all crevices are residue free for critically clean parts.

A. Particulates and other residue, including environmental residues, can be effectively cleaned using a….

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Q: What can I use to replace hazardous acids below pH 1 cleaning?
A: Depending on exactly what you are using your acid cleaning to do, we may be able to help you.

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A non-free rinsing cleaner might contain fragrances that were designed to deposit and leave a fresh scent, or it might contain corrosion inhibitors that are designed to deposit and leave behind an anti-corrosion film.

Alconox, Inc, cleaners are free rinsing detergents and do not leave deposits on substrates after rinsing.

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Q. We manufacture electronics and use Citranox to cleans oil off of a variety of machined parts. However, our Municipal Water District does not allow the disposal of spent Citranox. Can you recommend a neutralization procedure?

A. You will need 0.14 lbs, 0r 2 ¼ oz of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to neutralize a gallon of un-used 1% Citranox solution to a pH near 7. Note that some of the acidity in Citranox may be depleted …

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Q: What precisely is critical cleaning? How does it differ from “regular” cleaning? A: It refers to a very specific type of cleaning. It is where the cleaning itself impacts the value of the finished output from whatever residue/contaminant is being cleaned.

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