New inventions are being created each day to help solve everyday problems.
Ultrasonic cleaners are one of such inventions. They used to clean parts and objects thoroughly. These cleaners emit frequency waves that clean the surfaces of objects and parts.
They are used in industries such as the dental, medical, jewelry, and firearms industry. With ultrasonic cleaners, you can clean several instruments at the same time without compromising on effectiveness.
With the emphasis placed on hygiene, especially in the medical field, the traditional way of cleaning objects and instruments is no more enough.
Ultrasonic cleaners work together with cleaning solutions to clean your parts. The type of cleaning solution you use is important. There are several types of cleaning solutions used in ultrasonic cleaners.
Per their properties, they are used to clean certain contaminants. If you are not getting the best results from your cleaner, one of the reasons might be that you are not using the appropriate cleaner to clean your parts.
Some detergents are not strong enough for certain contaminants. Knowing what cleaning solution to use will help you clean your parts and objects properly.
This post will take you through the various types of ultrasonic cleaning solutions and what type of contaminant they are suitable for. Let's get right into it.
Alkaline Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions
These are cleaning solutions that have a pH of 10 or more. Sodium hydroxide and potassium are some examples of strong bases that are present in acidic cleaning solutions.
These solutions are usually referred to as general-purpose cleaners. They are perfect for removing contaminants such as oil, grease, dirt, and dust. Some alkaline cleaning solutions come with rust inhibitors to prevent some metals from rusting after removal from the ultrasonic cleaner.
Acidic Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions
As the name suggests, these cleaning solutions are acid-based. They typically have a pH of 4.0 or lower.
They contain ingredients such as strong mineral acids. They are ideal for cleaning parts made from plastics, glass, stainless steel, and brass. A stronger acidic solution is recommended for parts made from hard alloys, nickel, and precious metals.
Enzymatic Detergents
Enzymatic cleaning solutions break down soils at a neutral pH with the use of certain enzymes. Examples of enzymes present in these detergents are amylase and lipase.
These solutions are mostly used for getting rid of contaminants such as mildew, mold, bacteria, and blood. They are usually used in the medical and dental fields to clean medical equipment and instruments. One of the advantages of enzymatic detergents is that they dissolve contaminants easily, leaving the ultrasonic cleaner without any residue.
De-ionized Water
This refers to water that has been treated to take away all the dissolved mineral salts or ions. Although this is not a cleaning detergent or solution, it is perfect for removing contaminants such as molds, mineral deposits, and bacteria.
Citrus-Based Cleaners
Citrus-based cleaners are mildly acidic and are most often referred to as general-purpose cleaners. It is ideal for passivating some forms of stainless steel and titanium.
Passivation refers to creating a rust-free surface by removing free molecules from the surface of some metals. Citrus-based cleaners are widely used in the medical and aerospace fields.
High Caustic Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions
For cases where your alkaline ultrasonic cleaning solution proves ineffective, another option you can use is high caustic ultrasonic cleaning solutions. They are used for removing contaminants that are protein-based from glass, aluminum, plastics, and stainless steel.
Things To Note When Using Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions
Some forms of acidic cleaning solutions can be harmful. It is important to protect yourself when using such solutions. As much as possible, prevent such solutions from getting into your eyes and on your skin.
• It's important to know the material your parts are made from. This will help you know what solution to use. Using the wrong solution will not guarantee the results you want.
• Avoid putting your finger in the cleaning solution when the ultrasonic cleaner is switched on, especially if the solution is acidic.
• Always change the solution when it is dirty. To manage the use of the solution, you might decide not to change it frequently. Although it might look like this is a cost-effective idea, you will reduce the solution’s effectiveness, resulting in partially cleaned parts. For cleaning instruments used in the medical and dental field, the solution should be changed at least twice a day.
• Rinse objects with clean water before placing them in the cleaning solution to prevent the solution from getting extremely dirty.
Ultrasound cleaners have proved to be very effective in cleaning instruments, objects, and parts over the years. However, how effective they partially depend on how you handle your cleaners.
An important part of the cleaning process is knowing the right ultrasonic cleaning solution to use at any given time. This will ensure that you get the best out of your ultrasonic cleaner.
