Cleaning Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
Q. A customer of mine, who manufactures electrolytic capacitors, has been historically using Fisher Sparkleen in his automatic washer. They wash the aluminum capacitor cans to remove any oils, ionic source materials, contaminants from the can. It is critical that the detergent not add any sulfates, chlorides, phosphates, or any other contaminates to the process. Customer is asking for a spec sheet for Alconox. I would assume that this would be something certifying the levels, or lack of levels of the above. Can you help me with such a document?
A. From Alconox, the product that is sulfate, chloride and phosphate free and aluminum cleaning safe is Solujet liquid low foaming phosphate free detergent.
Chemical Resistance and Alconox
Q. Have you evaluated effects of Alconox on metals, elastomers, thermoplastics, and rubbers? Do you have a chemical resistance table/chart for Alconox? Thanks.
A. Alconox is compatible with a wide range of metals and plastics. You can contact cleaning@alconox.com to receive a copy of the current chemical compatibility spreadsheet. In general Alconox can be used to clean stainless steel, polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubber, and PEEK.
Utilizing Alconox on Stainless Steel
Q: We currently use Alconox detergent on our manufacturing equipment as well as a glass cleaner in the labs. We are qualifying a piece of equipment and wanted assurance that Alconox detergent can clean different types of Stainless Steel. I downloaded the Tech Bulletin that notes Stainless Steel, but does not give any specifics. Do you have documentation regarding the different types of Stainless Steel that Alconox cleans from?
Etching with Citrajet?
Q. My system has the following materials in it: CPVC, stainless steel, cast iron and copper; should I expect an 8% Citrajet solution to etch any of these materials?
A. No etching will occur on CPVC, Stainless Steel, cast iron and copper from 8% Citrajet. Cast iron might rust in the rinse water, especially if you use hot rinse water. Use water below 120 deg F to rinse cast iron and then dry quickly by removing rather than evaporating water if possible. (remove with a solvent, forced air/gas, or wipe).
Cleaning Aged Aluminum
Q. How to clean weathered oxidized or aged aluminum with a dark grey buildup of oxides especial architectural aluminum or decorations on buildings.
A. We do not have a product suitable for this but we do have recommendations. Citranox and Citrajet are well suited to cleaning freshly manufactured aluminum items, but not aged and weathered aluminum items.