Parts Cleanliness
When manufacturing parts and materials, it is sometimes necessary to use chemical aids such as lubricants and additives to help shape a product. Depending on the product's application, it often needs to be cleaned following manufacture and prior to packaging. If this is the case, it is useful (and sometimes required) to be sure that any processing aids used in the manufacturing and cleaning process are rinsed away and are no longer present on the product above a certain threshold. In these situations, Crane Engineering’s Laboratory Services Group can perform the testing needed to verify the cleaning and rinse process is effective.
In addition, evaluating manufactured materials at different stages of the cleaning process can help optimize the cleaning process, potentially eliminating unnecessary cleaning steps and saving time and money. Testing the cleaning and rinse baths also may help determine when solutions need to
be changed or whether a rinse is effective.
Common processing aids and cleaning materials include machining oils, slip agents, surfactants, and pH adjusting salts. The presence of these types of materials can be determined qualitatively or quantitatively, depending on your needs.
If your concern is particulate related, Crane Engineering’s SEM/EDS system can profile size, shape, count, and surface interface to assist you in determining the sources of the problem.
Contact Tom Gardner, Ph. D., to learn more.