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Trial Number 7

Client Number 149

Project Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To identify a suitable, non- or less-toxic substitute cleaner for toluene and toluene-based solvents for this industry sector

Date Run:

04/26/2001

Experiment Procedure:

Identical procedure to previous trial, using different cleaners.
SUBSTRATE MATERIAL: SS (202-410 B85) and SS (302-B86)
CONTAMINANTS:
a. AC-059 adhesive (108-883),
b. Morton 717 adhesive (108-883, 108-05-4, 110-54-3, 142-82-5, 67-63-0)

Trial Results:

Table 2 highlights the cleaning efficiencies of this experiment.
Table 2.

Abrasion 1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b
Coupon 1 59.19 62.65 75.39 42.83 72.95 28.28 58.59 22.48
Coupon 2 83.92 37.4 89.48 44.19 66.07 34.04 19.08 25.61
Coupon 3 65.76 31.48 73.07 13.19 58.49 30.09 14.64 24.33
Average 69.62 43.84 79.31 33.4 65.84 30.8 30.77 24.14
Handwipe 1 2 3 4
Coupon 1 112 235 132 532
Coupon 2 107 279 88 496
Coupon 3 109 368 137 353
Average 109.33 294 119 460.33
Abrasion 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b
Coupon 1 33.78 -25.73 188.21 44.59 91.33 40.37
Coupon 2 47.19 -19.67 11.17 25.5 86.78 62.43
Coupon 3 23.59 16.39 52.5 43.95 89.24 45.24
Average 34.85 -9.67 83.96 38.01 89.12 49.35
Handwipe            
Coupon 1 42 75 116 116 19 176
Coupon 2 39 186 114 113 23 197
Coupon 3 32 106 106 106 22 205
Average 37.67 122.33 112 111.67 21.33 192.67

Observations: The results of the abrasion test provided relatively consistent results, in that each cleaner performed better on the HC-059 than the Morton adhesive. This is consistent with previous findings that Morton is the more aggressive adhesive. The best cleaning efficiencies were obtained with isopropyl alcohol and Citrisafe with 84%, and 79% efficiencies, respectively. EP 921 (70%) and HFE-71DE (66%) were also highly efficient on HC-059. Compared to toluene (89%) these cleaners performed comparatively well.

Likewise with the Morton adhesive, toluene established a baseline for comparison of about 49%; the most effective alternative cleaners on this adhesive were EP 921 (44%), isopropyl alcohol (48%) and Citrisafe (33%).

Nevertheless, it is important to note the standard deviation of these values, in which 5 cleaners had a S.D. of greater than 15%, and in one case, Trial 6a, the S.D. was 93%! Moreover, Trial 5b provided an overall negative efficiency, whereas Trial 5a provided a relatively favorable value of 34%. Therefore, inconsistencies still abound, and these trials will all have to be rerun.

Still, some useful information can still be gleaned from the data, especially when compared to the handwipe results. For example, it is apparent that isopropyl alcohol and the methyl ester products work well on both adhesives, especially when the handwipe results are examined and compared with those of toluene. Both of these alternative cleaners worked faster on the Morton adhesive than toluene!

Success Rating:

Results successful using TACT (time, agitation, concentration, and temperature, as well as rinsing and drying) and/or other cleaning chemistries examined.

Conclusion:

While several frustrating inconsistencies are still being observed, it is heartening to note that several alternative cleaners do appear to show promise. Further testing, with careful attention to consistency, will hopefully verify these initial findings.

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