rust

Q: We use Alconox on the medical device parts we manufacture that need cleaning before shipment. Alconox detergent is working in an excellent way with austenitic stainless steel parts, but is not working that well with martensitic stainless steel. Actually, at the end of the process cleaning martensitic steel, we notice some marks on the material. Any recommendations?

Q: Can Alconox Inc. recommend a detergent for scale removal from stainless parts in an ultrasonic? A: Sure can. The best scale removing detergent for manual cleaning of stainless steel parts is Citranox® Liquid Acid Cleaner and Detergent. Citranox detergent is a mild acid, high chelating detergent for high performance removal of metal oxides, scale, salts and inorganic residues in manual and ultrasonic cleaning. It is also corrosion inhibited and free rinsing for reliable results and no interfering residues.

Q. Our current cleaning process has a tendency to leave spots on board and component leads. Analysis of the white spots shows oxides of tin and lead; rust-colored spots show iron oxide. FTIR analysis shows no organic content, so it’s not soap, flux, etc. I have recommended that the production people use appropriate Alconox Inc. cleaner or possibly DI water only for a very short cleaning cycle, and that they dry the boards promptly in flowing warm air. Rust is coming from tinned steel component leads. C

Learn how to clean water scale and remove rust from stainless steel in a way that allows it “heal” itself through a chemical process known as re-passivation