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Best method for cleaning oil from lamination stack before EP-coating

March 12, 2009

Hello,

I have a product with a pressed lamination stack of multiple thin plates made of CRML M55 steel. We are trying to have this part EP coated in China. The protective oil from the steel and the cutting oil from the stamping process seem to be seeping out from between the lamination plates and causing finish issues with the EP coating.

We have discussed doing a pre-cleaning of the steel before pressing the lamination however the parts are being stamped in one factory and plated in another so the bare steel needs to be protected during transport and storage.

Does anyone have a recommendation for cleaning the assembled lam stacks before plating that will remove the oil from between the plates and the surface without causing corrosion? (Solvent, alkaline solution?)

Trevor Jones
Quality Engineer - San Jose, California, USA

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March 13, 2009

Hi, Trevor. There is a lot of pressure to accept aqueous cleaning as a replacement for solvent cleaning for environmental reasons, but I think this one will prove impossible with aqueous cleaning but may be doable with vapor degreasing. Just a belief, not a guarantee.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey