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Trial Number 2

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate selected products for UV ink removal using heated ultrasonics

Date Run:

09/19/2022

Experiment Procedure:

Selected products were used at full strength in a heated ultrasonic bath. Base temperature started at 85 F and gradually finished at 120 F due to the ultrasonic energy heating the solutions. Two frequencies were utilized for cleaning. The first was a low energy unit at 80kHz and the second was the more common parts cleaning frequency of 40kHz. Each solution was degassed (removal of any excess bubbles to improve energy transmission) for 10 minutes. A saw blade was immersed into a solution and cleaned for 9-10 minutes. At the end of each cleaning cycle parts were observed for paint removal. Testing completed after a total 30 minutes. 

Trial Results:

The introduction of heated ultrasonics greatly improved removal of the UV cured ink from the saw blades. The 80 kHz cleaning for two of the solutions resulted in nearly complete removal of the ink from the immersed portion of the blades. In the 40kHz tank, cleaning was far more effective with the first cleaning interval surpassing the 30 minutes of cleaning at the 80kHz range. The table lists the observations and temperatures for each solution used. 

80 kHz Cleaning

Product Time Temp Observations
SC Supersolv 9 86 No visual removal. When wiped, paint was being removed
18 100 Some blue coming off on its own without a wipe. Flakes of paint falling off into solution
27 105 Almost removed paint to base
30 110 Good removal. Remaining blue paint was puckering on surface
Solvent Mix 1 60% D limonene; 31% Benzyl Benzoate; 9 dimethyl glutarate 9 86 good removal. Blue paint coming off, more so with wiping. Yellow paint was still on surface. 
18 100 Yellow coming off without wipe. Flakes of paint falling off on own into solution
27 105 Down to base metal. Some fine yellow paint lines remaining
30 110 Very good. Only faint yellow lines left
Bitu Ox BIo NT 9 110 Sine paint on sharp edges peeled off without wipe. 
18 115 Solution become milky white. 
27 120 Paint only has splotchy level of removal 
30 120 Solution more cloudy - paint being dissolved into solution

40 kHz Cleaning

Product Time Temp Observations
SC Supersolv 10 90 Good removal. Similar to the 27 minute level of cleaning at 80 kHZ. Flakey chips in solution
20 93 Down to base metal
30 105 Spots of blue remained in the etched in letters/numbers
Solvent Mix 1 60% D limonene; 31% Benzyl Benzoate; 9 dimethyl glutarate 10 90 Good removal. Similar to the 27 minute level of cleaning at 80 kHZ frequency.
20 93 Nearly fully removed. Some yellow
30 105 Trace amount of yellow
Bitu Ox BIo NT 10 105 Base part used from 80 kHz testing - clumps of white paint coming off
20 110 More clumps falling off. About a 1/3 of the base metal visible
30 110 About half the surface free from paint

Success Rating:

A follow up test, usually based on company input.

Conclusion:

Two products were successful with the heated 40kHz ultrasonics on the UV ink removal from the steel blades within 30 minutes. 

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