Published: July 31, 2018
Q. Our parts washer uses a 2.5 hour cycle following a manual wash. A build up of silicone grease is observed. Our preference is to reduce manual cleaning. Is there a cleaning agent available that can remove silicone grease that would be compatible with a parts washer using water as the cleaning agent?
A. The key to removing silicone oils and lubricants in a washer is to use very high temperatures (over 77C / 170F) with a double strength high emulsifying, low foaming cleaner such as Alcojet® Low Foaming Powdered Detergent (20 g/l or 2.5 oz/gal) or Solujet® Low-Foaming Phosphate-Free liquid detergent (20 ml/L or 2.5 oz/gal) in the parts washer wash cycle. Our newest detergent, is likely the most effective if your parts are stainless steel or glass (not recommended with aluminum or other reactive metals). This would be Keylajet® Low-foaming High Alkaline Liquid. The same 2-3% concentration is recommended.
It is very important to have the first rinse after the very hot wash cycle to be a very hot rinse cycle (similar temperature to wash). Do not use a cold rinse or you may break the emulsions that form and risk redepositing the silicone oil or lubricant.
The heat ensures the softening point of the grease is reached. This greatly facilitates and bolsters the low-foaming surfactants necessary to have washer-safe detergents. After the first rinse, you can use lower temperature second rinses.
To request this or any Alconox, Inc. detergents for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For more information about any one of our Alconox, Inc. detergents, consult the technical bulletin for each product. Or click here to access each of our detergent’s Safety Data Sheets.
Do you have a critical cleaning question for the experts at Alconox, Inc.? Search TechNotes to see if it’s been answered before or Ask Alconox.
Contact us any time: cleaning@alconox.com
For fastest reply, please email cleaning@alconox.com
