The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Emulsion cleaners

 

Hello,

I would like to learn what emulsion cleaners are, especially their chemistry. Thank you very much!

Derya To
- Istanbul, Turkey

---

I suppose the word "emulsion cleaner" you are using here basically includes chemistry such as solvent and surface active agent(s). Solvent, in metal finishing industry, generally may be mineral oil. Surface active agent, in this case, is an emulsifier of oil which is sometimes nonionic surfactant, sometimes anionic, and sometimes both.

The compound, when used in (heated) water, usually shows whitish appearance producing stable emulsion of oil as cleaner, provides good removability of oil, grease and/or other organic contaminants sticking on the surface of the metal to be removed.

Hiro Kawaguchi
- Tokyo, Japan