Industrial Cleaning Detergents

When customers select GTK cleaning machines, GTK engineers simultaneously evaluate and technically discuss suitable cleaning detergents.

Only with the right cleaning detergent and a proper cleaning process can optimal cleaning results be achieved!

The cleaning detergent is the “blood” of the cleaning system. Its selection directly determines the success or failure of cleaning results, cleaning efficiency, and the safety of workpieces and equipment.

How to Select the Right Cleaning Agent for a Cleaning Machine?

The selection process is a systematic matching project:

  • Analyze Contaminants: Identify the type of contaminants to be removed (e.g., oil, grease, wax, dust, metal chips, fingerprints, etc.).
  • Understand the Workpiece to Be Cleaned: Clarify its material (special attention is required for multi-material assemblies), shape, and precision level.

Match the Cleaning Process:

  • Ultrasonic Cleaning: Insensitive to foam; high-cleaning-power formulations can be selected.
  • Spray Cleaning: Low-foam or foam-free cleaning agents must be used.
  • Immersion Cleaning: Requires cleaning detergents with excellent penetration and emulsification capabilities.
  • Consider Subsequent Processes: Determine if coating, painting, or welding is needed after cleaning. The cleaning detergent must not interfere with subsequent operations.
  • Evaluate Equipment and Cost: Check if the equipment has heating and distillation recovery functions. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cleaning detergent’s unit price, usage concentration, and service life.

After the above communication, GTK engineers will provide recommendations for both the cleaning machine and the cleaning agent.

Main Types of Cleaning Detergents

Based on their main components and media, cleaning detergents can be divided into the following categories:

1. Water-Based Cleaning Detergents

This is the most widely used and environmentally friendly category. Formulated with water as the solvent, it incorporates various surfactants, additives, and corrosion inhibitors.

Alkaline Cleaning Detergents

  • Composition: Contains sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, silicates, phosphates, etc.
  • Function: Highly effective in removing mineral oils, animal/vegetable oils, polishing pastes, and particulates through saponification and emulsification.
  • Characteristics: Strong cleaning power and low cost. However, excessive alkalinity may corrode amphoteric metals such as aluminum and zinc.
  • Applications: Heavy oil contamination cleaning for steel, copper alloy components, etc.

Neutral Cleaning Detergents

  • Composition: Near-neutral pH value, primarily composed of mild surfactants.
  • Function: Removes contaminants mainly through emulsification and dispersion.
  • Characteristics: Safe for workpiece materials with low corrosivity.
  • Applications: Cleaning of precision parts, optical components, and non-ferrous metals (e.g., aluminum, copper).

Acidic Cleaning Detergents

  • Composition: Contains organic acids (e.g., citric acid, oxalic acid) or inorganic acids (e.g., phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid).
  • Function: Mainly used to dissolve metal oxides (rust, welding spatter, scale) and neutralize alkaline residues.
  • Characteristics: Strong descaling ability, but poses corrosion risks to metals; corrosion inhibitors must be added.
  • Applications: Rust removal, scale removal, and cleaning of stainless steel weld seams, etc.

2. Semi-Water-Based Cleaning Agents (Emulsion Cleaners)

  • Composition: Typically consists of organic solvents, surfactants, and water, forming a stable emulsion.
  • Characteristics: Combines the strong oil-dissolving power of solvents with the safety of water. A water rinse may be required after cleaning.
  • Applications: Removal of stubborn contaminants such as heavy grease, asphalt, and polymer residues.

3. Solvent-Based Cleaning Detergents

These cleaners use organic solvents as the main component to remove contaminants through direct dissolution.

Hydrocarbon Solvents (Hydrocarbons, Modified Alcohols)

  • Characteristics: Wide boiling range, high flash point, and good safety. Strong oil-dissolving capacity, low evaporation loss, and recyclable via distillation. Adequate ventilation and explosion-proof measures are required.
  • Applications: Widely used in vacuum cleaning machines for cleaning precision components.

Halogenated Hydrocarbon Solvents (e.g., Chlorinated Solvents)

  • Characteristics: Good volatility, extremely strong cleaning power, non-flammable, and fast-drying. Their use is subject to certain restrictions.
  • Applications: Still used in specific industrial fields (e.g., aerospace, military industry).

For more inquiries, please contact us. We provide pre-production cleaning testing and complimentary custom design solutions.