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Trial Number 379

Trial Purpose:

Laboratory evaluations of alternative aerosol cleaning products

Date Run:

12/07/2006

Experiment Procedure:

Basic cleaning performance testing was conducted using ASTM G122 as the bases for cleaning. 

Seven products were selected for testing based on previous testing on the selected soil. All products were in aerosol spray cans. Twenty-one preweighed aluminum coupons were coated with a collection of brake/engine soil collected from an automobile shop. The coupons were allowed to sit for one day before a second weight was recorded. Three coupons were cleaned with each solution for 15 seconds via aerosol spray cans. Coupons were not rinsed and were air dried at room temperature for 2 minutes. Following drying, final weights were recorded and cleaning efficiencies were calculated.

Trial Results:

Five products removed over 90% of the soil using aerosol cleaning for 15 seconds. One product, BioBrake, removed just under 80%. The remaining product, Mirachem 500 A, removed under 10%. During spraying, this product did not have a strong spray flow and did not dislodge/remove much of the soil. However, with a wipe the soil should be easily removed. The WD 40 product also did not have a strong spray flow, but was greater than the Mirachem 500 A. The Brake & Parts cleaner had the greatest spray delivery of all the aerosol products.

The table below lists the amount of soil applied, the amount remaining and the efficiency for each coupon cleaned.

Cleaner Initial wt Final wt % Removed
Bio Brake 0.2453 0.0417 83.00
  0.4619 0.1095 76.29
  0.5118 0.1078 78.94
Mirachem 500 A 0.4098 0.3769 8.03
  0.4042 0.3809 5.76
  0.2632 0.2250 14.51
Brakleen 0.4361 0.0214 95.09
  0.4141 0.0600 85.51
  0.2924 0.0196 93.30
Heavy Duty Cleaner Degreaser 0.3133 0.0420 86.59
  0.6793 0.0330 95.14
  0.3622 0.0260 92.82
Micro X 0.7132 0.0117 98.36
  0.7437 0.0204 97.26
  0.8229 0.0620 92.47
Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner 0.4152 0.0037 99.11
  0.5046 0.0099 98.04
  0.6540 0.0014 99.79
Brake & Parts Cleaner 1.3045 0.0007 99.95
  0.5256 0.0028 99.47
  0.5833 0.0027 99.54

Success Rating:

Preliminary compatibility tests on substrate coupons encouraging for at least one cleaning chemistry. More in-depth laboratory testing necessary.

Conclusion:

Five of the seven products were successful in removing the soil mix. The BioBrake could have removed all of the soil with a longer cleaning time and the Mirachem 500 A would be better for long soak times followed by a wipe.

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