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DEGREASING PROCESS AND HIS APLICATIONS IN INDUSTRY

prof. Ing. Anton Panda, PhD. treatment by paint coat and varnish applications.
Technická univerzita v Košiciach, Fakulta Mechanical degreasing is done by hand or by
výrobných technológií so sídl. v Prešove, Bayerova the machine. The standard machine methods
1, 080 01, Prešov, Slovensko include sandblasting and honing. These methods
e-mail: anton.panda@tuke.sk although less expensive are more time
consuming. One of the shortcomings of this
Ing. Lukáš Androvič method is removal of the top layer of the
FTE automotive Slovakia s.r.o, material together with the impurities.[1]
Royová 34, Mechanical degreasing is often used together
08 005 Prešov, Slovakia with chemical degreasing to increase the
e-mail: lukas.androvic@gmail.com effectiveness of the process. For example when
the components are washed in special washing
Abstract machines where abrasives are used together
Degreasing is one of the most important processes with chemical degreasing.[1]
foregoing the surface treatment (conditioning) of
the components or the parts.[1]
To retain the characteristics of the surface treatment
it is necessary to ensure proper surface tension of
the component surface.[1]
The surface treatment includes applying the layers
of paint or varnish on the surface of the component
or electroplating the surface of the component such
as galvanization, etc.[1]
Key words: Cleaning, degreasing, surface tension,
process

INTRODUCTION – DEGREASING PROCESS

Thorough degreasing of the component
surfaces before paint coat and varnish applications Fig. 1 Mechanical degreasing[4]
is as important as rust removal. It ensures better
adhesion of protective layer to the component DEFINITION OF PROCESS - CHEMICAL
surface and that way prevents the corrosion and DEGREASING
extends the operating life of the component. This method of degreasing is less time
Today's technologies offer many methods of consuming and besides that we are able to degrease
thorough degreasing before the surface treatment. several components at the same time. Their number
The process involves removal of the contaminants is determined by the chosen method of degreasing,
from the surface of the component.[1] shape complexity of the components and the
required degree of degreasing. Chemical degreasing
DEFINITION OF PROCESS – DEGREASING does not require any special skills of the operator or
There are two main types of degreasing physical exertion like it is during manual
process. One of them is mechanical where the degreasing.[1]
process involves mechanical removal of the oily
layer and the impurities from the component The main method of degreasing include:
surface. The second type is chemical degreasing
where the oily layer and the surface impurities are - Degresing using solutions
removed by chemical reactions. Based on type of - Degreasing using Ultrasound
the material and the degree of the surface - Degreasing using steam
contamination it is advisable to use the combination - Degreasing using degreasing medium
of both types of degreasing process to increase it's under high pressure
effectiveness.[1]
DIVISION OF DEGREASING SOLUTIONS
DEFINITION OF PROCESS - MECHANICAL There are many degreasing solutions in
DEGREASING today's market. The two main groups are :
The method of mechanical degreasing is emulsifying and deemulsifying. The next division
in many cases less expensive, but more time includes : organic, acidic, alkaline, emulsion, etc.
consuming. This method is most appropriate for Every division offers different characteristics of
degreasing the surfaces prior to surface degreasing especially suitability for material being

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degreased. Degreasing solutions are widely and where there are no high requirements for
applicable for components with complex shapes.[1] thorough degreasing with high surface tension,
which by the way could be achieved in
SPECIFICATION OF EMULSIFYING combination of high pressure cleaning followed by
SOLUTIONS cleaning with the solution. The principle is to rinse
The main principle of emulsifying the material with high pressure water stream or the
solutions functioning is their ability to absorb the solution which would remove the thick layer of
grease from the surface of the components. Because grease and dirt from the material surface.[3]
of that the components can be simply submerged in
the solution and solution is let to absorb the grease.
The solution needs to be checked periodically for
the grease saturation level. When the solution
reaches high saturation level it looses it's efficiency
and needs to be changed.[1]

SPECIFICATION OF DEEMULSIFYING
SOLUTIONS
Deemulsifying solutions work on the base
of expelling the grease from the material surface.
Deemulsifying solution bath can be used in
combination with Ultrasound where the oscillating
particles accelerate expelling of the grease from the Fig. 3 High pressure degreasing[6]
component surface. Using this method we are able
to degrease several components at the same time. METHOD OF DEGREASING USING THE
The main disadvantage of this method is that the STEAM
loosened up grease and the impurities form a Steam is a natural, non toxic,
continuous layer on the surface of the degreasing environmentally friendly and very effective
bath. This layer needs to be removed or interrupted cleaning medium. Most of the time adding a
before components removal, otherwise the chemical substance is not necessary, but is optional.
components will be contaminated upon their Using special brush and steam under pressure allow
removal from the degreasing bath.[2] us to remove the grease in solid or liquid form
without any damage to the material surface. It can
DEGREASING METHOD BY also be combined with variety of cleaning products
ULTRASOUND after which the thorough rinse and drying are
Ultrasound is used to accelerate the necessary.[3]
activity of the degreasing solutions. During this
process the surface of the material is cleaned by
cavitation bubbles, which penetrate below the
microcastic layer of the grease and assist it in it's
peel off. This method is used where demand for
quality of material surface is high, such as precise
components, engine parts, jewelry or complex
shaped components.[2]

Fig. 4 Steam degreasing[7]

Fig. 2 Ultrasound degreasing[5]
SURFACE TENSION AND IT'S MEASURING
The easiest and most feasible way to
METHOD OF HIGH PRESSURE CLEANING
measure the degree of degreasing is the test of
The main advantage of the high pressure
surface tension done by the special ink.[1]
cleaning is it's speed. It's main use is where there is
a need to clean a thick deposits of dirt and grease

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Surface tension is key criterion for adhesion of [4] <http://www.http://www.mntap.umn.edu/foc

glues, varnishes, paints, printing ink on any metal usareas/air/projects/degreasing/>.
and plastic surface.[1] [5] <http://www.https://www.alibaba.com/produ
Surface tension is measured in mN/m ( milinewton
ct-detail/Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Industry-
per meter ) or in dyn/cm ( dyn per cemtimeter ).[1]
The standard rule is, the higher the surface tension engine-carbon-
of the component the better the adhesion of the Degreasing_60682906855.html/>.
paints, varnishes, etc. to the surface of the [6] <http://www.https://www.indiamart.com/pro
component.[1]
ddetail/degreasing-chemicals-
The reason for low surface tension can be the
property of the material itself. For example a lot of 9438601697.html>.
plastic materials have low surface tension. On the [7] <http://www. http://reaindia.net/industrial-
other hand more common reason for low surface steam-degreasing/>.
tension is surface contamination by grease, oil, etc.
what is mostly with metals.[1] [8] <http://http://www.uvebtech.com/stories/121
The universal limit is often displayed as 38 mN/M. 015/trends-uv-coatings-digital-
If surface tension is below this limit the adhesion era.shtml#.W_uuUadKhaQ>.
for paints and varnishes will be diminished. In any
case it is useful to measure the surface tension of
the component surface prior to surface treatment.[1]

Fig. 5 Surface tension measurement by ink[8]

CONSLUSION
As we said before the degreasing is an important
process. It ensures the quality of adhesion of
surface treatment and prevents it's premature peel
off. It is important to evaluate what we want to
degrease and to what degree we need to degrease it.
Base on that we can choose the proper method of
degreasing considering also it's effectiveness and
the price.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank

the KEGA grant agency for supporting research
work the project KEGA: 004TUKE-4/2017.

References
[1] Williams D., Guide to Cleaner
Technologies: Cleaning and Degreasing
Process Changes, 1994, DIANE Publishing,
ISBN 0788114514
[2] Solverchem company and author, Industrial
detergent formulations encyclopedia,
Solverchem publications 780 pages, 2015 ,
ISBN : 978 – 0292 – 1 – 6
[3] Solverchem company and author, Detergent
formulations encyclopedia, Solverchem
publications 768 pages, 2016 , ISBN : 978 -
9944 - 0292 - 9 - 2

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