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

Cleaning solutions for Stainless Steel

Hi,

I was wondering are there any good cleaning solutions that will clean a 302, 316, 17-7PH material before passivating and yet be safe to dispose of according to all federal, state and local regulations without any further chemical processing to meet their regulations.

Chris Kozka
- Schiller Park, Illinois, USA
2003

---

If you are asking about sending cleaners down the drain, then the answer is a qualified yes. The qualification is that the cleaner never touches the parts. Just pour the cleaner directly from the drum into the drain. There are many environmentally friendly cleaners available - the trick to the problem is the soil being removed. Most soils (metalworking fluids, etc.) are not allowed to be disposed of down the drain, and that causes plants to install waste treatment systems to clean the process water before sewering.

Another option is to drum up your waste and have it hauled off by a licensed waste hauler, if your quantities of waste are relatively small.

Dan Brewer
chemical process supplier - Gurnee, Illinois
2003