Vapor degreasing is a critical cleaning process in the aerospace industry, as it is used to remove contaminants such as oils, greases, and other soils from aircraft and aerospace components. These contaminants can interfere with the performance and safety of these components, so it is important to remove them through a thorough and effective cleaning process.
Vapor degreasing is a cleaning process that uses solvents to dissolve and remove contaminants such as oils, greases, and other soils from various types of materials. It is commonly used in a wide range of industries and applications, including:
Is vapor degreasing safe?
When used properly, vapor degreasing is a safe and effective cleaning method. However, it is important to carefully follow safety guidelines and use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling solvents. Additionally, it is important to properly maintain and clean the vapor degreasing equipment to ensure the safety of the cleaning process.
Enviro Tech International is pleased to announce they are an approved source of supply vendor for Northop Grumman – CPMPOUND, CLEANER, SOLVENT intended on light to medium cleaning of interior primed and painted parts.
Porosity sealing is a critical step in parts manufacturing. Porosity refers to any void or hole that forms in the metal during the casting process. A small amount of porosity is almost always present in castings due to various conditions that occur as metal is injected or cooled. Excess porosity can affect a part’s structural integrity and make the part more susceptible to corrosion. In parts intended to hold pressure — such as valves, pumps and compressors — porosity can also create leak paths and render the part unusable.
Porosity sealing is a critical step in parts manufacturing. Porosity refers to any void or hole that forms in the metal during the casting process. A small amount of porosity is almost always present in castings due to various conditions that occur as metal is injected or cooled. Excess porosity can affect a part’s structural integrity and make the part more susceptible to corrosion. In parts intended to hold pressure — such as valves, pumps and compressors — porosity can also create leak paths and render the part unusable.
To protect casting integrity, a sealant is typically applied to die castings and permanent mold castings using a process called vacuum impregnation. In this process, porosity sealants impregnate the material, eliminating leak paths and weaknesses caused by microscopic voids in the material. For this sealing process to be effective, the parts must be spotlessly clean. Any residual contaminants still present from the casting and/or machining processes can compromise the seal and cause the part to fail.
Vapor degreasing is widely regarded as the preferred cleaning method for metal castings for a variety of reasons:
In vapor degreasing, solvent is boiled in a sump to create a vapor, which is contained in the unit by means of chilling coils at the top. This cold area forms a “cold barrier” that causes the solvent to return to liquid form and precipitate back down into the sump. As parts are lowered into the vapor layer, solvent condenses on them and runs off, carrying oil and contaminants with it.
After a few minutes in the vapor atmosphere, the parts can also be lowered into the liquid layer of the sump bath for additional cleaning effect. At the end of the cleaning cycle, the parts are lifted back out of the vapor bath. As they pass through the cold layer, the solvent quickly evaporates, leaving the parts clean and dry.
Where exceptional cleanliness is required, parts may be subjected to a final cleaning cycle — a dip into an adjacent rinse sump filled with solvent; spray cleaning with additional solvent; or ultrasonic cleaning. This ensures that any remaining contaminants are thoroughly removed in preparation for the sealing process.
While there are other casting cleaning methods available, most parts manufacturers prefer vapor degreasing for its significant benefits over the alternatives. For example, aqueous cleaning systems tend to be slower, more complex and more expensive to operate.
Vapor degreasing also accomplishes cleaning with little to no risk of abrading or damaging parts. If you are looking for a proven effective way to keep your castings clean and ensure high-quality results, give vapor degreasing a try.
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