MAINTENANCE The power of vapour


degreasing solvents This report from Envirotech explains why vapour degreasing solvents work so well.


V


apour degreasing solvents are typically chosen for their excellent solvency properties. They have the ability to dissolve


and disperse a wide range of contaminants, including dirt, oil, grease, wax, and other contaminants. The cleaning action of solvents is primarily attributed to their unique molecular properties and interactions with the materials they contact. Here’s why solvents are so good at cleaning:


Low surface tension Vapour degreasing solvents can reduce the


surface tension of liquids, making them more eff ective at penetrating and breaking up dirt and stains. This allows the solvent to reach areas that might otherwise be hard to clean.


Polarity


The polarity of a solvent plays a signifi cant role in its cleaning ability. Polar solvents have molecules with positive and negative poles, which allows them to interact with polar substances like water-based stains. Nonpolar solvents, on the other hand, are eff ective at dissolving nonpolar substances like oils and grease. Diff erent cleaning tasks may require the use of polar or nonpolar solvents depending on the nature of the dirt or stain. Most vapour degreasing solvents are nonpolar in nature, meaning they do not have a positive or negative charge. This allows them to interact with a variety of contaminants, regardless of their charge or polarity, making them versatile for diff erent types of cleaning applications.


Heat and vaporisation The vapour degreasing process involves heating the solvent to create vapour, which rises and condenses on the surfaces to be cleaned. This condensation releases latent heat, which aids in loosening and lifting contaminants from the surfaces.


No aqueous residues


Unlike water-based cleaning methods, vapour degreasing solvents leave little to no aqueous residue behind. This is especially important for


36 October 2023 • www.acr-news.com


applications where water could cause corrosion or damage, such as cleaning sensitive electronics or precision mechanical components.


Minimal agitation required Vapour degreasing is a relatively gentle cleaning


method that doesn’t require extensive mechanical agitation. This reduces the risk of damaging delicate parts while ensuring eff ective cleaning.


Consistency Vapour degreasing provides consistent and


uniform cleaning results because the solvent vapor can reach all surfaces evenly, including intricate and complex geometries.


Environmental considerations While some vapour degreasing solvents in the


past were environmentally concerning, modern solvents are designed to be safer and more environmentally friendly. They are engineered to have lower toxicity, reduced volatility, and minimal global warming or ozone-depleting potential.


Dissolving power


Solvents have the ability to dissolve a wide range of substances, both organic and inorganic. This is due to their molecular structure, which allows them to interact with diff erent types of molecules. When a solvent comes into contact with a substance, its molecules surround and separate the particles of the substance, breaking down the intermolecular forces holding them together. This leads to the dissolution of the substance into the solvent.


Evaporation Vapour degreasing solvents typically have


relatively low boiling points, which means they evaporate quickly when exposed to air. This evaporation helps in removing the dissolved dirt and contaminants from surfaces, leaving them clean and dry. It is important to ensure evaporating solvent doesn’t escape to the atmosphere. This is achieved by having cold condensing coils just above the components being cleaned.


Versatility Vapour degreasing solvents come in various


types and compositions, allowing them to target specifi c types of contaminants. For example, alcohol-based solvents are eff ective at cleaning glass surfaces due to their ability to dissolve and evaporate quickly without leaving streaks.


Chemical interactions Vapour degreasing solvents can undergo chemical


reactions with certain types of substances, leading to their removal or transformation. This can be especially useful for removing tough stains that might not be easily removed through simple dissolution.


Compatibility Vapour degreasing solvents are often formulated


to be compatible with specifi c materials, ensuring that they don’t damage the surfaces being cleaned. This makes them versatile for use on a wide range of surfaces.


Rinsing action Vapour degreasing solvents can also act as


rinsing agents, carrying away dissolved dirt and contaminants when they evaporate. This helps prevent redeposition of dirt onto cleaned surfaces.


Overall, the combination of excellent solvency,


low surface tension, nonpolar properties, heat assistance, minimal residue, and controlled vaporization make vapor degreasing solvents highly eff ective for a wide range of cleaning applications. It’s important to note that while solvents are


eff ective cleaning agents, their use should be handled with care. Some solvents can be toxic, fl ammable, or harmful to human health and the environment, so proper precautions and guidelines should be followed when using them.


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