Browse Client Types

Browse past lab clients by general industry sectors

Trial Number 6

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Lactic acid as a cleaner in conjunction with Caprylic acid sanitizer in cleaning and sanitizing stainless steel alloys 304 and 316.

Date Run:

08/10/2022

Experiment Procedure:

Six stainless steel coupons were used, three being the 304 alloy and three being the 316 alloy.  The initial weights of each coupon were taken.  The coupons were then soiled with Cedar's Chocolate Hommus by wiping a thin layer, but leaving some chunky spots, and the bottom half of the substrate.  The dirty weights of each coupon were then taken.  Coupons were immersed in the heated cleaner Lactic acid cleaner 0.15% (140 F) and put in the ultrasonics machine for 20 mins.  Directly after removing the coupons from the cleaner, they were then immersed in the sanitizer Caprylic acid sanitizer 0.15% at room temperature (68 F) and put in the ultrasonics machine for five minutes.  The cleaned coupons were left to air dry for 8 hours. ATP levels were measured using Hygenia ATP Swabs followed by clean weights being taken for each coupon.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Substrate Initial wt of cont. Final wt of cont. %Cont Removed % AVG % Overall
Lactic acid cleaner Stainless steel 304 0.2290 0.0119 94.80 97.82 98.46
0.4918 0.0102 97.93
0.2747 -0.0020 100.73
Lactic acid cleaner Stainless Steel 316 0.2209 0.0029 98.69 99.10
0.4539 0.0039 99.14
0.6083 0.0033 99.46

Visually, some chocolate hommus was left on coupons

ATP Results

Cleaner Substrate ATP Level Avg Overall
Caprylic Acid Sanitizer Stainless Steel 304 14 10.33 10.33
    15
    2
Caprylic Acid Sanitizer Stainless Steel 316 8 10.33
    13
    10

Success Rating:

Test showed little or no promise.

Conclusion:

Lactic acid is not an effective cleaner for stainless steal alloys 304 and 316.  Caprylic acid is not an effective sanitizer for stainless steel alloys 304 and 316.

Save Report as a PDF