How to Choose the Right Cleaning Detergent?

Compatibility with Base Material

Material compatibility is the most important primary rule for choosing industrial cleaning detergents, especially for the precision manufacturing industry like the production of auto parts. Different metal substrates have varying reactions to detergent formulae. Strong alkaline detergents cause discoloration and corrosion to components made of aluminum and copper, while carbon steel components requires cleaning detergents with rust proofing additives in order to avoid post-cleaning oxidation. In the cleaning of automotive cylinder heads, poor selection of detergent led to micro corrosion of some aluminum alloys and the product qualification rate dropped by 15%. It is true that choosing corrosion inhibitors for ferrous metals and detergents that are neutral to weakly alkaline for non-ferrous metals helps to avoid such problems.It preserves the performance and the surface condition of the metal substrate.

Ability to Target Contaminants

The most important aspect for effective cleaning is the ability of the detergent to target specific types of contaminants. The industrial manufacturing of products creates a variety of pollutants, such as mineral oils from the machining process, residues of cutting fluids, carbon from high-temp processing, and intermingled iron shavings from the production process. Detergents that use lipase as a primary ingredient have excellent decomposition ability on the oil-based contaminants, and those with a strong penetrating agent are better able to remove carbon and stubborn dirt that may be lodged in micro gaps. For crankshaft cleaning in automotive manufacturing, the use of high-pressure cleaning devices in combination with oil-specific detergents is able to remove 99% of the surface grease and contaminants in the internal channels, cleaning better than the rest of the detergents. The key to choosing the right detergent and avoiding ineffective cleaning or unnecessarily repeated cleaning is to have a firm understanding of the composition and characteristics of the pollutants that are present in the industrial production process.

Adhering to Industry Norms

Any environmental and industrial quality standards are absolutely necessary to be considered when choosing a detergent for a given type of manufacture. Authoritative standards, e.g. GB/T 25971-2010, indicate that industrial cleaning detergents, for instance, must have a biodegradation rate of at least 90%, and no heavy metals or organically bonded solvents that are slow to degrade, etc. For industrial detergents sold in the global market, especially in Europe and the USA, an additional requirement is the compliance with EU ROHS and REACH certifications. International automobile manufacturers, e.g. BMW and Toyota, have strict and comprehensive requirements for the cleaning products of their suppliers and contractors, and they demand compliance with the cleaning efficiency and environmental protection of the products. Therefore, selecting a detergent compliant with the international and national standards helps the manufacturer avoid penalties for environmental damage and meet the chain requirements of the customers to be able to enhance the market scope.

Integration of Cleaning Process

Cleaning agents must be adapted to be compatible with the actual cleaning processes and equipment used by the enterprises, which, in turn, directly influences the cleaning effectiveness and the rhythm of production. In the case of automated cleaning devices such as robotic high-pressure cleaning machines or ultrasonic cleaning machines, low-foam cleaning agents are needed so that foam does not block the spraying nozzles or interfere with the transmission of ultrasound. In CVT housing cleaning, the dual-robot cleaning system requires detergents that are fast evaporating and leave no residue, to match the equipment's mechanical drying process so that no water marks are created on the product's surface after cleaning. In immersion cleaning processes, detergents with better cycle performance are preferred as they can be reused after simple filtration which reduces the need for frequent replacement of the detergent. When the cleaning agent is adapted to the cleaning processes and equipment, the overall effectiveness of the cleaning system can be maximized, as well as avoiding unnecessary interruptions in the production process.

Operational Value and Total Expense

 Total cost and operational value of cleaning agents involves  much more than initial cost, dilution ratio, cleaning ability, and environmental  compliance. The initial cost of quality special detergents may be more expensive, but their  dilution ratio and cleaning ability means much less detergent needed.  For example, professional automotive parts cleaning detergents dilution ratio is 1:50 to 1:100 and they last 2 to 3 times longer than ordinary detergents. Detergents that are compliant with environmental standards also decrease waste liquid treatment costs because they avoid the high costs of neutralization and flocculation of traditional solvent-based detergents. High efficiency cleaning also enhances the quality of cleaning which lowers the cost of rework and scrap. This kind of cleaning solution brings very high financial advantages to businesses. Proper selection of cleaning agents for automotive engine parts can exceed 10% on one time qualification and decrease entirely production costs by 20%.

Post Use Testing and Support

Choosing cleaning detergents is a system, and it is equally important to verify and testify support cleaning effect and utilize a post support cleaning effect verification. Effective cleaning by precision parts suppliers is done by using Micron level virtual inspection that can detect detergent residue on a precision parts surface with a 99.8% cleaning effect verification so manufacturing requirements can be met. Detergent effectiveness can be supported by regular testing the cleaning effect to ensure that effective components do not become depleted. Professional detergent suppliers provide support based on empirical changes to enterprise production. Chemical adjustments of the detergent are supported by the professional suppliers based on empirical changes noted to the production process or the type and volume of residue. In support of all post usage to ensure the system is utilized, the testing of effectiveness is done to ensure the post use support done on the detergent selection and use are also done to ensure a closed loop system of cleaning to ensure consistent cleaning and quality of the detergent system.