Metalworking & Precision Manufacturing

Q: We have started to qualify Alconox Precision Cleaner for our clean line to clean parts for ultra high vacuum applications. Worked great on the stainless parts. But, when we tested an old molybdenum platen with a bead blasted metallic surface, it went black. Do you have a recommendation?

A: While metallic molybdenum is not generally reactive to water or alkaline solutions for the most part, it may be reacting with the phosphates in the Alconox® Powdered Precision Cleaner.

Q: I’m looking for detergents similar to Liquinox and Citranox, that are specially formulated for cold water cleaning conditions. Can you recommend analogs to the two?

A: For most residues, the detergency of an aqueous detergent is enhanced and hastened by heat. 

Q: We’re noticing a lot of corrosion on our cold rolled steel parts after washing in a new process. Our process is washing with detergents and rinsing at 70C, using Liquinox and Citranox which we have in house.  Do we need different detergents to prevent corrosion?

A: Nickel plated cold rolled steel is commonly used in a variety of industries due to its desirable properties such as corrosion resistance, durability, and strength.

Q: Whenever the Detonox is left in a stainless steel sink, it forms a white substance at the bottom of the sink. We have tested the water with Detonox in a glass beaker and it does not form the same ‘Scum’.…

Q: We current use your product Liquinox in one of our cleaning processes. We are potentially looking to expand its use to other cleaning and were wondering if this product will solubilize trans-dichloroethylene as this is a concern that is not addressed by our current cleaning process?

A: Trans-Dichloroethylene is a toxic and hazardous compound, often used in solvent cleaning.  It avoidance has come under increased recommendations.  Fortunately, it is fairly easy to clean up as a residue. 

An important thing to note is that detergents don’t solubilize so much as they would emulsify an organic solvent