How to choose an immersion degreaser
Summary
Immersion degreasing
Pretreatment
In the metalworking sector, chemical pretreatment is essential for ensuring the adhesion, stability, and durability of paint coatings, electroplated deposits, and anodizing processes. Inadequate cleaning of the substrate leads to serious structural and visual defects, including blistering, pitting, and premature oxidation. To prevent these issues, immersion degreasing stands out as an optimal treatment, as the chemical solutions are able to penetrate thoroughly even into the most complex geometries and blind holes.
Mechanical action in an immersion bath
In immersion tanks, the inherent lack of mechanical force is compensated for through agitation, air injection, ultrasound, or electric currents, or by adjusting operating conditions such as temperature, concentration, and treatment time. Optimizing the cleaning process by balancing these factors is essential for reducing operating costs; for instance, to shorten treatment times, one must balance the process by increasing either the temperature or the concentration of the bath.
Analysis for Selecting the Optimal Fluid
How to Choose an Immersion Degreaser
Selecting the appropriate immersion degreaser requires an in-depth engineering analysis of numerous metallurgical and operational variables. Key decision-making factors include strict material compatibility with respect to pH, the chemical-physical nature of the contaminant to be removed, the type of process employed (conventional chemical or electrolytic), and the analytical methods used to validate the results.
Material Compatibility and pH Engineering
The metal substrate dictates the limits for the operating pH. Ferrous materials (such as carbon steel and stainless steel) exhibit excellent tolerance for strongly alkaline and caustic solutions, which are essential for triggering saponification reactions in fats and effectively removing heavy oils. Conversely, the indiscriminate use of highly alkaline compounds on amphoteric metals or light alloys—such as aluminum or zinc—leads to immediate chemical attack, manifesting as surface blackening or metal dissolution. When processing these sensitive metals, it is necessary to use neutral or mildly alkaline degreasers to preserve the integrity and optical brightness of the surface, while properly preparing it for subsequent conversion or painting stages.
Nature of the Contaminant and Dynamics of Electrolytic Processes
Identifying the type of soil is crucial for selecting the appropriate product. Mineral oils require the emulsifying action of surfactants, while stubborn contaminants—such as polishing pastes or waxes—necessitate sequestering agents capable of breaking down their chemical structure.
When chemical-thermal action is insufficient, electrolytic degreasing is employed. The workpiece, immersed in a conductive alkaline solution, is subjected to a direct current, which triggers electrolysis. The resulting evolution of gases (hydrogen and oxygen) generates a vigorous mechanical action that physically dislodges soil from microporosities, ensuring a surface that is perfectly wettable and chemically active.
Methods for Controlling and Verifying Surface Energy
Alkaline degreasing baths are monitored through chemical analysis to determine their active concentration. Depending on the specific formulation, either free alkalinity or total alkalinity is measured. The resulting value—expressed in milliliters—scientifically determines the precise amount of chemical product that must be added to restore the bath to the optimal conditions established during the initial setup.
The FIPRO SG Immersion Line
How should one choose an immersion degreaser? To provide a precise and reliable response to the diverse requirements of the metalworking, electroplating, and pre-painting industries, Fiprokim’s research team has developed the FIPRO SG line. This extensive family of multi-material degreasing chemicals has been specifically designed to remove oily contaminants, light oxidation, and process-related residues, functioning effectively both as a final treatment and as an intermediate process step. The advanced FIPRO SG formulations combine sophisticated, state-of-the-art surfactant packages with balanced alkalis, ensuring impeccable aesthetic and functional results while maximizing the service life of the treatment baths.
These are the main products in the FIPRO SG line, designed for immersion pre-treatment.
FIPRO SG 1020 NS
FIPRO SG 1020 NS is a highly alkaline powdered formulation, specifically designed for the immersion degreasing of ferrous metal surfaces and copper alloys. It delivers excellent performance in both static systems and processes utilizing ultrasound. A key chemical feature is its completely silicate-free composition, a crucial property that prevents the formation of passivating films, which would otherwise hinder the adhesion of subsequent treatments or coatings. It is the ideal product for removing heavy oils and stubborn polishing pastes.
FIPRO SG 1021
For processes requiring absolute surface purity prior to electrodeposition, FIPRO SG 1021 represents the definitive technological solution. It is a highly alkaline, powdered electrolytic degreaser designed specifically for ferrous materials. Its complex formulation, based on caustic alkalis and complexing agents, creates an aqueous solution with exceptionally high electrical conductivity, capable of generating a vigorous gaseous "scrubbing" action.
FIPRO SG 596
In the most demanding mechanical processes, such as wire drawing and deep drawing, oily residues pose an extreme challenge for standard cleaning agents. FIPRO SG 596 addresses this need through a highly alkaline, caustic degreasing action, designed for pretreatment cycles on steel and stainless steel. The product stands out not only as a highly efficient degreaser but also as an excellent dephosphating agent.
FIPRO SG 1029
When the aesthetic appearance of a component is a priority and the material precludes the use of caustic compounds, FIPRO SG 1029 is the ideal solution. It is a pH-neutral liquid degreaser formulated with a balanced degreasing system. This unique composition ensures effective removal of oily contaminants while preventing any chemical attack on the underlying metal structure. FIPRO SG 1029 performs at its best when used on aluminum or surfaces that have been polished to a mirror finish, eliminating contaminants without in any way compromising their original luster.
