We spend a lot of time talking about the process and equipment that are used for ultrasonic cleaning, but what about the solution? After all, the solution is what does all the dirty work. Different types of solutions can be used for different jobs, but is it worth spending the money? After all, industrial solvents are cheaper and more readily available. Truth is, solvents can not only be detrimental to the cleaning process, they can damage the surface of what you are trying to clean. While they are good at what they do, they can go too far and in the long run cost more money in replaced items.
Cleaning: What Really Happens
At its most basic, cleaning means taking unwanted soil away from an object then breaking it up and carrying it away from the object. Brushes, scouring pads, mops and even ultrasonic cleaners all do that same basic process. Sometimes mechanical work alone isn’t enough, though, and we need some help from chemistry and cavitation.
More information on ultrasonic cleaning:
- What is Cavitation Exactly?
- How does ultrasonic cleaner technology clean?
- Ultrasonic Cleaners and Cavitation
- How Does Cavitation Erosion Occur in Ultrasonic Cleaners?
The Role of Cleaners in Ultrasonic Cleaning
Sometimes you can scrub and scrub and the dirt still won’t come off. That’s because the soil has formed a bond with the surface and needs a little help. This is where a solvent comes in. Solvents are designed to work at those chemical bonds and weaken them so the mechanical cleaning action can help move the soil away. All cleaners work like this. But sometimes the chemicals can be too strong.
Ultrasonic cleaning is an extremely versatile method of removing certain contaminants from parts. Here are a few examples of Ultrasonic Cleaners in action:
- How To Strip Paint From Machined Parts
- Ultrasonic Precision Cleaning for Aerospace Safety
- Cleaning Aerospace Parts with Ultrasonic Cleaners
- Snowmobile Engine Cleaning with Ultrasonics
- Gun Cleaning with Ultrasonic Cleaners
- 3D Spinal Implants and Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Clean Your Firearms 3 Times Faster with Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning
- Using Ultrasonics for Cleaning Truck Fuel Injectors
- Ultrasonic Cleaning for Dentures
- Using Ultrasonic Cleaning Technology for Food Plants
- Ultrasonic Cleaning for Bike Parts
- Clean Your Musical Instruments with Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Ultrasonic Cleaning for Pharmaceutical Equipment
- Cleaning and Sterilizing Medical PPE with an Ultrasonic Cleaner
- … and many more found on our blog!
Solvents Can Take Away Wanted Surface
Solvents work typically by increasing or decreasing the pH of a solution. This means making it more or less acidic. While this is great for cleaning, it can be bad for the object. Let’s think about wood covered with a wax — flooring, for example.
We want the solvent to be strong enough to get the dirt off the wax, but what happens of the solvent is too strong? Not only will the dirt come away, but the wax can be removed from the wood as well, leaving the wood bare and more prone to damage. There are many cases where this can happen. Certain types of steel are coated to prevent rusting. Solvents can remove that coating or cause pitting, which allows moisture to stick around and cause rusting.
In addition to solvents taking away wanted surfaces, they can also be quite dangerous substances. Here are a few resources that explain the reasons why Omegasonics sticks with solvent-free cleaning solutions:
- Green Clean! Ultrasonic Cleaning is Environmentally Safe and Friendly
- Cleaner Parts in Less Time With No Solvents
- Why We Use No Industrial Solvents in Our Cleaners
- Alternatives In Cleaning With Toxic Solvents
- How Our Soaps Provide Solvent Free Ultrasonic Cleaning
Omegasonics Cleaning Solutions: A Better Solvent Alternative
All of the problems that are caused by using solvents can be alleviated by using Omegasonics cleaners. Omegasonics has a wide range of cleaners, all tuned to specific needs. While a solvent can take testing and experimentation (all potentially damaging what you are cleaning), Omegasonics cleaning solutions are built to specific tasks. Some of the specific cleaners include:
OmegaSmoke – perfect for smoke damage and safe for glass, rubber and plastic
OmegaClean – versatile cleaner safe for aluminum
Omega Deoderizer – eliminates odors from fire and water damage
Citrus Degreaser – broad use degreaser for commercial applications
Contact our Team of Ultrasonic Cleaning Experts
Trying to find the best ultrasonic cleaning solution for your application or have other questions regarding ultrasonic cleaning? Contact our experts at Omegasonics by calling 888-989-5560, emailing us at , or by filling out our online contact form.
