During the machining process, grease, grime, and fatty acids accumulate on machine parts. Organizations that do not regularly clean machine components will have to watch as these valuable components break down well before the end of their expected lifespan. The most effective way of dealing with these contaminants is to use industrial degreasing solvents to clean critical machinery. These substances are more effective than standard cleaners because they chemically break down the contaminant to remove it completely from machinery. When companies need to find degreasers that will best meet their needs, there are four steps that they should take. These steps are described in this article.
Determine whether the company has special performance or application needs.
There are many options in the degreasers market, so companies should not make the mistake of thinking that the lowest priced substance is the best fit. Companies will need to know the volume of work that the substance can handle, and while some products will list an upper limit of productivity, the more informative statistic is actually the boiling point of the solvent. The rule of thumb is that the lower the boiling point, the greater the work output. Companies must also make sure that the degreasers they have chosen will not harm machinery by oxidizing, staining, etching, or dulling it.
Check which industrial degreasing solvents are most cost-effective.
When purchasing degreasers, one might encounter a number of hidden costs. One major hidden cost is a disposal fee for when the solution produces toxic or environmentally harmful byproducts. Another thing to watch out for is when degreasers leave behind residue once they have finished removing contaminants. If they do, companies will have to spend even more money to clean up after the product that they bought to make cleaning easier.
Find out if the products under consideration are safe for workers to use.
There are a number of safety hazards that workers are exposed to when companies buy the wrong industrial degreasing solvents. As mentioned above, some products produce harmful byproducts that are not only dangerous to the environment but are also dangerous to individuals. The solution might be unsafe to breathe, or could cause skin irritation when workers come in contact with the solution. Some products emit hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), which endanger the lives of all employees who work with them. Additionally, if companies do not consider the flash point, or point at which degreasers become flammable, then they will risk exposing workers to fires.
Check that the product satisfies all environmental requirements.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricts the use of certain chemicals that it has deemed to be dangerous to the environment. Purchasing biodegradable degreasers is one way to ensure that that all EPA restrictions are satisfied. Another way is to make sure that the industrial degreasing solvents being purchased are labeled as organic rather than inorganic.
These are the four steps that customers should take before purchasing industrial degreasing solvents. To prevent harm to employees or the environment while still being cost-effective, companies should invest in organic cleaners.