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. I would certainly check with Fisher regarding sulfate, chloride and phosphate content of Sparkleen. From the Alconox line, the product that is sulfate, chloride and phosphate free and aluminum safe is Solujet liquid low foaming phosphate free detergent. The washer needs to be able to use liquid detergents. You can use the internal dosing system pumps if they exist, or dose the appropriate amount of Solujet (typically 2.5 ounces for a small under counter washer) in to the bottom of the washer at the start of the wash cycle – be sure there is no cold pre-wash cycle being run that will use of the detergent and drain it before the wash cycle.

For a free sample of Solujet, visit Get Sample.  For more information about Solujet, download its Technical Bulletin or Material Data Safety Sheets.