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Cleaning of alumina on the surface of metal after the process of tumbling

Dear sir,

We are producing medical products in medical industries. One of our products requires a metal pin as one of its parts to be assembled in the finished part. Due to the burrs created in plastic parts once this metal is inserted, we have been doing the process of tumbling. But after tumbling we find that the washing process which follows is not very effective. We still find alumina particles on the surface of the metal and this should not happen. This is because these is a medical product and there should not be any contaminations which might be harmful to the end user. So please suggest what can we do to clean the surface of this metal. I need this urgently . please try to help me.

Shankar [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
2003

Get it into the rinse tank faster. Do not let it dry or it is extremely hard to get off. Try adding a little soap to the first rinse. You may need to go thru a hot alkaline soak and then rinse. Have you tried ultrasonics?

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003