Cleaners to replace solvents in mechanical pretreatment processes

Nowadays the use of solvent-based cleaners (so-called solvents) such as thinner, xylene and heptane is under pressure because of the high risk exposure risks for employees. There is also a general trend towards reducing VOC (volatile organic compounds) whenever possible. With the cleaners of AD Chemicals solvents can be easily replace by a water-based safer but highly effective alternative.

Cleaners to replace solvents

AD cleaners can replace regular solvent-based cleaning processes 1-on-1 and will guarantee a perfect clean, ready to coat surface. AD solvent alternatives are:

• • Safer for employees and the environment
  • Hazard (ADR) label-free
  • Multi-metal applicable

AD products are used by key players around the globe, such as OEM trailer manufacturers, ACE producers, machine builders, among others. There are cleaners for wipe, spray or dip application. Make the switch to solvent-free cleaning today.

Cleaning and coating of metal in the workshop

In common work practice solvents usage in coating (paint) systems has been reduced or is reduced wherever possible. Furthermore, the risks are known and proper attention is placed on using the right personal protective equipment (PPE). However, in many metal cleaning process prior to the coating process solvents are still used with all risks for people and environment.

Working with solvents, how effective is it?

Solvents are known in the market as powerful metal degreasers. However, how effective are these products in practice? In general, it can be said that such products are applied with a cloth. In which case the cloth is used several times in many cases. This way of cleaning, in stead of what most people think, does not result in a thoroughly cleaned metal surface resulting in failure of the paint system or corrosion. Also in unexpected parts, such as a flat surfaces.

Water Break Test to determine cleaning effect

By making us of the water break test, a simple, fast and usually non-destructive test the presence of hydrophobic films (greases) can be determined. The test is applied to freshly cleaned metals that are hydrophilic when the surface is clean. In case of contamination of the water film will be broken. This test method shows whether a cleaning process has done its job, for solvent-cleaned surfaces this is often not the case.

The product portfolio

• Cleaning/degreasing 2-in-1 products
• Acid cleaners and etch products, for manual and automatic application
• Mild alkaline cleaners for aluminium surfaces

Upgrade your cleaning process with MM31 ®

AD has re-designed the cleaning process prior or after mechanical pre-treatments. How?
In addition to a clean, well-degreased and ready to coat surface, MM31 ® also creates a so-called conversion layer on the substrate. This conversion layer offers the following benefits:

• Improved paint adhesion and corrosion protection properties
• Protection against fly-rust on steel (up to 48 hours) and white rust on galvanized alloys and aluminium