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Trial Number 4

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of five drop-in solvents at removing wax from aluminum alloys.

Date Run:

07/12/2017

Experiment Procedure:

Preweighed aluminum coupons were tested for each cleaner. Coupons were soiled with Lenox Lube Tube Wax (CAS:8002-74-2; 57-11-4; 5989-27-5) using a swab to cover the bottom third of the substrate and dirty weights were recorded. Coupons were immersed, three at a time, in a beaker with 200ml of the chosen cleaner at room temperature (68 F) for five minutes. Visual observations were taken during this time, and final weights were recorded after cleaning. This process was repeated for each cleaner.

Trial Results:

Cleaner Initial wt. Final wt. % Removed Average % Removed
Fluosolv CX        
  0.1554 0.1326 14.67 18.02
  0.0947 0.0767 19.01  
  0.0869 0.0692 20.37  
Fluosolv NC        
  0.8361 0.719 14.01 14.91
  0.8227 0.6897 16.17  
  1.1123 0.9504 14.56  
Solstice PF        
  0.8529 0.664 22.15 16.35
  0.8597 0.7561 12.05  
  0.8457 0.7202 14.84  
Solstice PF-2A        
  0.5232 0.4318 17.47 21.24
  0.416 0.3098 25.53  
  0.4061 0.3219 20.73  
Vertrel Sion        
  0.474 0.3752 20.84 41.73
  0.7537 0.2876 61.84  
  0.7268 0.4179 42.5  

Although drop-in solvents were ineffective at removing the wax completely, the wax was slightly lifting off the coupon with Fluosolv NC. An increase in immersion time may remove a higher percentage of the wax.

Success Rating:

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

Conclusion:

All five drop-in solvents were ineffective at removing wax from aluminum. Next step would be to add agitation and increase immersion time. Not all products will be evaluated in future testing due to EHS criteria and performance.

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