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Trial Number 0

Trial Purpose:

Find alternative to ethanol

Date Run:

03/20/1996

Experiment Procedure:

The purpose for this experiment is to test out several chemistries to determine an acceptable substitute for Plastic Switch Maker's ethanol usage.
The above chemistries will be tested against some isopropanol to see how well they allow ink to cure on the parts. Fourteen dirty parts obtained from Plastic Switch Maker were cleaned, stamped with the Markem Black Ink and then cured by the following steps:

1) The cleaning chemistry was wiped on a surface with a Styrofoam swab.
2) The cleaning chemistry was then rinsed off by wiping the surface with a Styrofoam swab saturated with water (This was not done for Asahiklin because it volatilizes pretty fast).
3) Pressurized air was then used to dry the part (drying time took between 5 and 10 seconds).
4) The Markem 9060 Black ink was then stamped on the cleaned surface using a handheld ink-stamp.
5) The parts were then allowed to cure for one hour in a convection oven at 200 F.
6) Adhesion was checked by rubbing the cured ink with isopropanol and analyzed to see if any smudging occurred.

SUBSTRATE MATERIAL: Plastic switch parts
CONTAMINANTS: Oils, greases Markem 9060 Black Ink
CONTAMINATING PROCESS USED: As received form Plastic Switch Maker

Trial Results:

Cleaning Chemistry Adhesion of Markem 9060 black ink
Isopropanol Good
WR Grace Daraclean 294xx None
Terpene Tech HTF 321  Good
Oakite Inproclean 1300 Good
Nalgene L-900 None
Mirachem 500 Good
Man-Gill Gillite 0650-CI Excellent
MacDermid ND-17 Excellent
Finish Line Tech Degreaser None
Ecobrite AK None
CSA Biosafe 1024 None
AW Chesterton 803 Solvent None
Kyzen Ionics FCR None
Asahiklin AK-225 None

One of the problems encountered in this experiment was that a little smudging occurred with all chemistries due to the hand stamp used.  Despite this setback a good idea of each chemistries effectiveness as compared to Isopropanol was determined.

Success Rating:

Test incomplete or inconclusive.

Conclusion:

All chemistries that showed some adhesion will be used in another experiment to test out their effectiveness in removing the greases and inks.

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