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Trial Number 0

Client Number 196

Project Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To identify alternative cleaners for bees wax.

Date Run:

01/24/2003

Experiment Procedure:

Nine cleaners were selected from the laboratories database of past testing based on supplied data from client. Six aqueous based cleaners were diluted to 5% using DI water in 600 ml beakers. Three semi-aqueous products were used at full strength also in 600 ml beakers. All nine products were heated to 130 F on a hot plate. Twenty-seven preweighed ceramic coupons were coated with client supplied bees wax. The wax was first melted using a Master Appliance heat gun in a beaker and applied to the coupons using a swab. The coupons were allowed to cool to room temperature before weighing a second time. Three coupons were cleaned in each solution for 5 minutes using stir-bar agitation. Coupons were rinsed in tap water for 15 seconds at 120 F, followed by air blow off at room temperature. Once dry, coupons were weighed a final time and efficiencies for each cleaner were calculated.

Trial Results:

Opti Clear was the only product to remove all the wax from the ceramic coupons. Some of the aqueous based products showed some signs of altering the wax (flaking at edges). The table below shows the amount of wax applied and removed for each of the nine cleaners tested.

Table 1. Wax Removals

Opti Clear was the only product to remove all the wax from the ceramic coupons. Some of the aqueous based products showed some signs of altering the wax (flaking at edges). The table below shows the amount of wax applied and removed for each of the nine cleaners tested.
Table 1. Wax Removals

Success Rating:

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

Conclusion:

With only one successful product for the bees wax removal, Opti Clear,  a follow up test will be conducted to identify additional products that can be used to remove this wax.

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