The point of which is that we have to be very careful when putting plastics into cleaning machines for this very reason. Even though they may seem durable, the heat and cleaning agent may hurt the integrity of the item in the machine.

This is why, if you have to regularly clean plastics, we are going to recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner.

The Challenges of Cleaning Plastics

In many different industries, cleaning plastic parts is the nature of business. The food service industry is a perfect example of this. These parts are generally made of harder components, so they are in no danger of being harmed in our tanks. Having said that, we recommend having a conversation with one of our team members to ensure you are getting the proper settings and cleaning detergent for the tank so the parts are cleaned without being harmed.

Better Cleaning

If you have ever used plastic parts, you know they tend to grip contaminants, making them much harder to clean. This makes them ideal for an ultrasonic cleaner, as our cleaning process uses cavitation to create microscopic bubbles that implode on the surface and crevices of the components, ensuring every contaminant is removed.

Call Us

If you have plastic components, we highly recommend discussing your cleaning options with an expert member of our team. Our team members can discuss the type of components that will be cleaned to see which one of our Omegasonics industrial ultrasonic washers will work best for your business, as well as helping you choose the proper cleaning agents. If we don’t have a “standard” machine, there is also the option of a custom-built machine specifically to meet your needs. Give us a call at 888-989-5560, or you can request a custom quote on our website (click here).

Removing paint and or rust from vintage metal parts is not exactly an easy one when using traditional methods. Most of us have had to strip down and refinish a piece of furniture at some point. Think back to how long it took to do a single piece of wood. Now think about how much more difficult it would be if you were trying to strip down and clean intricate machine parts.

Completing this process by hand is virtually impossible. And simply soaking these parts in a solvent can do as much harm as good. Chemicals may end up stripping the paint, but they can also negatively impact the integrity of the equipment. Of course, there is also no guarantee that every surface will have the paint, debris, or rust removed.

Ultrasonic cleaners use a very unique process that ensures every nook and crevice is properly cleaned. Rather than using sprayers or long soak times, ultrasonic waves create cavitation bubbles that explode upon hitting the surface of the machinery. When the bubbles collapse, they release an energetic pulse of the water and cleaning agent. This pulse is what dislodges the grime, debris, and, yes, even paint from the surface of the machinery. If you are worried about the machine being too powerful or too weak, don’t, because our team of experts will help you dial in the process.

To that point, having the right setting is critical to cleaning or stripping the equipment properly. This is especially true when you have machine parts that use different metals.

Optimizing Performance

Just plain water may work fine for some parts, depending upon the job. However, for stripping paint and/or rust from machine parts, you are going to more than likely need to add a cleaning agent to the tank to ensure it removes everything. The temperature of the tanks will play a key role in this as well. While not quite at the boiling points, the temperature will need to be hot enough to soften the paint to the point the cleaning agents and cavitation bubbles can remove the paint from the surface of the machine part.

Need a Custom Tank

If you have larger or smaller equipment and are worried our “standard” tanks will not work for your specific business, don’t! Give us a call at 888-989-5560 and discuss your specific needs with a member of our expert staff. If we do not have a tank already built that will suit your needs, our team can custom build a tank specifically for the cleaning needs of your business. We will also work with you to ensure you the proper settings and cleaning agents to successfully complete every task for which you are buying an Omegasonics ultrasonic cleaner.

What is Clean?

Clean is defined as being “free from dirt, marks, or stains.” For most of us, especially in our homes, that is an adequate definition. In industry, especially in industries such as the restaurant industry, clean means far more. Equipment must be completely free of any germs or contaminants, and that does not happen by simply moving a dirty mop across the floor or running a dish under hot water from the faucet.

The food industry is just one industry, however, that relies on powerful cleaning equipment, such as ultrasonic cleaners. For instance, aerospace, automotive, engineering, medical, and pharmaceutical are all industries that use ultrasonic cleaning for various reasons. Most importantly, they all need equipment free of debris, rust, stains, and any contaminant, all of which are removed by these powerful cleaning machines.

Heat and Its Impact on Cleaning

Basic science tells us that all organic matter strives to be at the same temperature. For instance, you can freeze water, but if you put it back at room temperature, it will eventually melt and match the room’s temperature. The same can be said going the opposite way. You put a bucket of warm water in a cooler room, eventually, the temperature of that bucket of water drops to that temperature.

Heat itself is a form of energy, energy that can be used in the cleaning process. The hotter the water in the cleaning process, the more drastically the reaction rate. For instance, raising the temperature of water by only 17 degrees can double reaction rates in the cleaning process, which, in turn, accelerates the cleaning process itself.

Heat is also temperamental, especially in the cleaning process. The chemistry in the cleaning process can and will be altered if the heat is not properly matched to the detergents being used. Ultrasonic cleaners will keep the water tank at optimal levels at all times (between 130- and 180-degrees Fahrenheit) to ensure all contaminants are removed from the equipment. Best of all, most ultrasonic cleaning soaps are water-soluble, making disposal and personnel safety less of a concern.

One more benefit of properly heated water in your cleaning equipment is that violent spraying or agitation is not necessary. Properly heated water allows ultrasonic cleaners to gently clean your equipment, significantly reducing any chance of expensive parts being ruined during the cleaning process.

The benefit of working with a company like Omegasonics for ultrasonic cleaning systems is that your cleaning solution can be customized to suit your particular needs. While Omegasonics has various “standard” models, and they usually meet clients’ needs, sometimes customizations are needed for a client’s specific industry; customizations we are more than happy to make.

For more information about our ultrasonic cleaners, click here. Or, if you would prefer to speak to one of our team members to help you find the proper solution, give us a call at 888-989-5560.

These 7 factors will help you  answer the questions “how do I choose an industrial ultrasonic cleaner and what is the right ultra sonic cleaner for your cleaning application”.

1. Ultrasonic cleaner frequency

What frequency is best for ultrasonic cleaning or as some refer to as ultrasound cleaning?

Ultrasonic cleaning is a process that uses an appropriate cleaning agent and ultrasound (usually from 20–400 kHz). The ultrasonic cleaning frequency must match the cleaning application. Different frequencies produce different results. The most common cleaning frequencies range from 25kHz to 80kHz. Lower frequencies such as 28 kHz produce fewer and larger bubbles that are aggressive for heavy duty industrial applications. 40-80 kHz and up produces very tiny bubbles packed tightly together which create a gentle scrubbing action for semi-conductors and high-end electronic components. 40kHz produces a large number of smaller bubbles that produce powerful cavitation. Omegasonics factory sets at 40 kHz which is the best frequency for industrial and commercial cleaning applications.

2. Ultrasonic generator power

How much power do you need for an ultrasonic cleaner?

The power of an ultrasonic cleaner is measured by watts per gallon. The correct wattage for our tank capacity is important (Watts/Gallon) for efficient ultrasonic cleaning. When cleaning with ultrasonics, always use a higher power level for heavy contamination. The ability to control power output is important because it allows you to tailor the output to cleaning needs. The ultrasonic generator is what produces the power which sends the signal to the ultrasonic transducer that produces ultrasonic cleaning waves in the tank.

3. Ultrasonic cleaning solution soaps, chemicals and detergents

How do you know what is the best ultrasonic cleaning solution for cleaning your item?

Ultrasonic cleaning detergents dissolve and dislodge surface residues. Not all cleaning solutions work effectively in ultrasonic equipment; some general-purpose cleaners break down at temperatures as low as 140F and cavitation action can cause some general chemicals to break down into their components. Omegasonics’ chemicals are formulated for specific cleaning applications and designed not to breakdown during cavitation. Different soaps work for different applications and materials. For example, alkaline chemicals remove dirt and smoke while acidic solutions remove corrosion and heat scale. If you are cleaning a delicate item then you will want to use a ultrasonic cleaning solution with a lower pH such as 10.0, if you are cleaning a general item such as glass or plastic then you will want to use a solution that has a pH around 11.3-11.8 and with metal items you will use a solution that has a pH at around 2.0 to remove rust. Can you use tap water in an ultrasonic cleaner? The answer is yes, but if you are cleaning any type of electronics in the ultrasonic cleaner than de-ionized water is recommended.

4. Ultrasonic cleaning temperature

What temperature do I use when cleaning my item in an ultra sonic cleaner?

Most ultrasonic cleaning is done at temperatures ranging from 100°F to 150°F. The correct temperature will expedite the cleaning process. Start with lower temperatures & work up to higher temperatures. All of our machines come with digital temperature controllers.

5. Ultrasonic tank part loads and tank sizes

What size ultrasonic cleaning tank do I need?

Part loads relates to the mass of the items being cleaned within the ultrasonic tank, increased part loads require more energy to process; small loads will clean faster than larger loads due to available energy for the load. If you overload your tank with parts, it will decrease the amount of cavitation that is hitting the surface of the parts being cleaned and will not only affect the cleaning process but will also affect the cleaning consistency. If you are cleaning a lot of parts at once then you will want a larger tank to accommodate your cleaning needs. Omegasonics also offers custom tanks.

6. Material makeup

What can ultrasonic cleaners clean?

You probably have heard of ultrasonic cleaners mostly for cleaning jewelry but did you know that you can clean any hard durable item in an ultrasonic tank? The number of items that can benefit from ultrasonic cleaning is vast. The reason? There are just two basic “eligibility requirements” before something can be cleaned in this manner.

The cavitation that powers ultrasonic cleaning and scrubs contaminants off parts will only occur in a liquid environment. Ergo, the item must be one that won’t be damaged by immersion. Some of the things on that list might surprise you. For instance, most of us would react with horror at the idea of combining electronics and water, but as long as proper drying techniques are used, an ultrasonic cleaner will not only clean electronic devices, but clean them more quickly and completely than any other method. The second requirement is that the part can be dried relatively easily. This eliminates items that are absorbent, but most others can simply be air dried with a blower.

For this reason, ultrasonic cleaning is used to remove unwanted materials from everything from jewelry to long rifles, from super-delicate lenses to massive engine parts, from surgical instruments to motherboards.

You may be wondering if ultrasonic waves will damage relatively brittle materials, such as glass or ceramics. Ultrasonic cleaning is perfectly safe for these materials.

What should you not put in an ultra sonic cleaner? Do not put anything textile such as clothing, shoes, rugs and stuffed animals. They absorb the ultrasonic cavitation.

7. Ultrasonic cleaning time

How long does an ultrasonic cleaner take to clean?

There are many factors that determine how long an item will have to remain in the ultrasonic tank for the cleaning process, including: “frequency, power, soap, temperature, load, and material”, also what type of dirt or oil is on the item. Cleaning normally lasts between three and six minutes, but can also exceed 20 minutes, depending on the object to be cleaned. All of our machines come with digital timers that allow you to be able to set your desired cleaning time.

What are the advantages of cleaning with ultrasonics and ultrasound cavitation?

• Efficient – Ultrasonic cleaning provides the ability to clean baskets of parts rather than individual items.
• Thorough – Ultrasound is the most thorough cleaning method known to science. Contents cleaned manually by hand will never be as clean as contents processed ultrasonically. Ultrasonic bubbles can reach areas impossible to access by brushes or sponges
• Gentle – The ability to control the cleaning variables allows the same equipment to clean everything from industrial parts to delicate crystal and China.
• Consistency – Cleaning with ultrasonics is always consistent.

For more information on choosing the best ultrasonic cleaner in 2021 watch our video below.

It’s important to distinguish between “regular cleaning” and “precision cleaning.” True precision cleaning involves removing all contaminants from the surface of the object to be cleaned.

Precision cleaning is vital to the success of industries as varied as aerospace, defense, medical implants, computer tech, and pharmaceutical. In fact, parts in these industries must be cleaned so thoroughly that they can pass microscopic inspection of their surfaces.

If contaminant removal is only partial, this can be expensive, slow down production and have a negative impact on a company’s bottom line and reputation.

Considerations for Precision Cleaning

If you’re going to be having parts precision cleaned, there are certain factors and steps to be taken into consideration.

First, how clean do your parts need to be at the end of the process? What standard are you using, and how will this be determined? In most cases, parts are inspected closely before the cleaning process begins and then they are inspected again according to industry-wide standards and cleanliness levels. You need to determine what is appropriate for your industry and use that as your benchmark.

Once you’ve determined your inspection and cleanliness standards, you’ll need to determine what cleaning strategy you’ll employ.

Precision Cleaning Strategies

When it comes to precision cleaning strategies, there are a wide array of possibilities. These include methods as varied as vapor degreasing, hand cleaning, CO2 snow and mechanical blasting. All the above options have their benefits and drawbacks. For example, some of them require the use of hazardous solvents which create additional workplace safety and environmental considerations. These add further complications and cost to your precision cleaning process. Some processes add intensive time and labor, which can also drive costs up.

To solve the issues caused by intensive labor or hazardous solvents, many precision cleaning operations choose ultrasonic cleaning. For the most intricate jobs requiring a high level of cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning fits the bill, surpassing other methods for most cleaning needs.

What is Ultrasonic Cleaning?

Ultrasonic cleaning works through the generation of high-frequency sound waves through a liquid, using piezoelectric transducers to generate the waves via a diaphragm. When these high-frequency waves strike against the surface of an object, they produce millions of microscopic bubbles which instantaneously collapse. This physical effect is known as “cavitation,” and each collapse causes the snap release of jets of energy. Cavitation produces the power behind ultrasonic cleaning, uniformly “scrubbing” every surface of the object being cleaned, even cleaning down inside blind holes or intricate internal sections

How does ultrasonic cleaning work with precision cleaning?

Once parts have been inspected, they are ready to be sent to an ultrasonic cleaning unit designed for high-end precision cleaning, such as one of the units found in the Omegasonics Pro series.  The parts to be cleaned are placed in a liquid bath along with a detergent formulated specifically for the specific type of application and contaminant addressed in the cleaning.

Once the part to be cleaned is submerged, the ultrasonic cleaning process can begin. The number of ultrasonic cleaning cycles used, length of time in the bath, temperature used, and so on will be determined by the type of contaminant and parts material. Keep in mind that not all materials or applications are suitable for ultrasonic cleaning. We recommend that you get in touch with the ultrasonic cleaning experts using the contact information at the end of this article.

Once the part has been thoroughly cleaned, precision cleaning protocols demand that it also be rinsed in at least one or more water only baths before being quickly and properly dried. For many precision cleaning processes, this involves the use of forced hot air dryers to dry the parts thoroughly. The judicious application of a rinsing agent can help keep water spots from parts, as well as making sure to use distilled water.

Overall, although there are many approaches to successful precision cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning provides a thorough and cost-effective method that works well across industries. Want to know more about how ultrasonic cleaning can transform your precision cleaning operations? Call one of our ultrasonic experts at Omegasonics at 888-989-5560 or email us at Omegasonics@Omegasonics.com. You can also get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form.

What’s the difference between solvents and detergents?

The essential difference between solvents and detergents is that solvents break down and dissolve contaminants in the cleaning solution while aqueous detergents surround and lift away contaminants so they can be washed away. As everyone knows, water and oil don’t mix, repelling one another. To help water “get at” oil-based grime, detergents use additives known as “surfactants” that help water get “wetter” to lift dirt and oil away from the surface of the object being cleaned.  The detergent’s chemical properties pull grime away from the object’s surface and surround it with water so it can be washed away. Overall, solvents and detergents act in very different ways when used for cleaning.

How solvents work

As mentioned earlier, solvents are a compound that tends to dissolve away certain other materials placed in it. Technically, then, water is a solvent and is known as the “universal solvent,” simply because almost anything can be dissolved in it. However, what most people think of as solvents are so-called “organic solvents,” which include substances such as nail polish remover, paint thinner, and so on. These organic solvents are great at dissolving grease and fat-based spills and stains, something that water typically can’t handle well. When it comes to parts and industrial cleaning, you typically find solvents made from petroleum distillates, naphtha, acetone, light mineral oils, and other specialized organic or synthetic compounds. These types of solvents tend to be formulated depending on their intended application and use.

Issues with solvents

Over the past few decades, solvents have come under greater government and public scrutiny because of the undesirable effects of using them. They are often flammable, give off noxious fumes that are bad for workplace air quality, and they can be hazardous for workers to use, both in the short term and long term. Not only that, but they have been classified as an environmental hazard and must be both handled and disposed of with great care. There have been some recent reformulations of common solvents to make them somewhat more environmentally-friendly, and they still hold between 60 to 70 percent of the industrial cleaning market. However, they are losing ground to aqueous cleaners, due to better detergent formulations being developed and overall environmental concerns.

How Detergents Work

Water-based detergents start out of the gate possessing many advantages over solvents. These include non-flammability, few offensive fumes and little to no health risks for workers handling them. What’s more, many detergents are biodegradable, making them easier to dispose of safely and in an environmentally-friendly fashion. The traditional downside of detergents has been their perceived lack of effectiveness at the rapid removal of contaminants such as grime, rust, and scale from industrial parts. However, as noted earlier, more recent formulations of detergents have improved. Moreover, when they are placed in combination with the power of ultrasonic cleaners, their effectiveness becomes similar to or even surpasses that of solvents, without all the environmental and workplace safety concerns.

Ultrasonic cleaning and detergents

When paired with ultrasonic cleaning, water-based detergents have proven to be effective and thorough at cleaning every surface of industrial parts and many other objects. The detergents contact surfactants that help loosen the hold that contaminants have on the object, while the cavitation effect stemming from the high-frequency sound waves hitting the object produces millions of microscopic bubbles that blast away at the grime. Together, both ultrasonic cleaning and detergents form a powerful dynamic cleaning duo.

How do you choose the right cleaner?

There’s no exact answer, but you do have a few factors to consider. One of those is your setup and operation. You need to consider what you’re trying to clean and the regulations surrounding your work environment.

Another factor you should consider is the overall cost. Solvents are in general are more expensive than detergent solutions. Detergents are typically sold in highly concentrated form and work out to be much less expensive when you add water. Plus, you need to consider that you may be able to reuse some detergents more than you can with solvents, depending on whether you have a filtering system.

Another factor to keep in mind when looking at cost, as well as environmental impact, is the disposal of the used solvent or detergent. Properly disposing of some solvents may add quite a bit to your overall overhead costs. Some detergents may need minimal treatment before being disposed of, and others may use a technique called “bioremediation,” which uses unique microbes that clean up the solution, with only the addition of extra water and additional solution necessary periodically. Other maintenance for detergent-based systems may include filter changes, which are also inexpensive.

Don’t know whether solvents or detergents are best for your cleaning process? Why don’t you get some free advice? Contact one of our experts at Omegasonics at 888-989-5560 or email us at Omegasonics@Omegasonics.com. You can also get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Two common industrial cleaning type machines: ultrasonic and agitation washers. In one sense, ultrasonic cleaning is agitation cleaning, just at a microscopic scale. Both kinds of cleaning have their benefits and uses and are used for precision and industrial parts cleaning across industries.

What is ultrasonic cleaning?

Ultrasonic cleaning makes use of the physical forces caused by ultrasonic sound waves moving through the liquid and striking against a hard surface. Ultrasonic waves are produced through electrical pulses traveling through a piezoelectric transducer. The transducer vibrates a diaphragm, which transmits the high-frequency sound waves through a liquid bath. These waves produce microscopic cavitation bubbles when they contact the surface of the object to be cleaned. As the bubbles form and collapse, they release high-powered plasma jets that dislodge stubborn grime from the object. Ultrasonic cleaning is used for a wide variety of industrial and precision cleaning applications, including machined parts, disaster restoration, and electronics cleaning.

What is agitation cleaning?

Agitation cleaning is merely another method of cleaning away stubborn grime from the surfaces of machine parts. It utilizes a combination of immersion in a surfactant or perhaps a solvent along with agitation, whether through drum rotation or a platform moving up and down in the liquid bath.
This type of cleaning requires objects that can stand being shaken and moved about without being damaged. Ideal objects that can be cleaned with this method include turbine blades, cylinder heads, pistons, and rods.
Agitation cleaning does a good job of getting the cleaning agent (detergent or solvent) into contact with the bulk of the object’s surface. It relies mostly on the chemical action of the surfactant used and requires the least amount of mechanical energy. It works best for situations where you have a lot of time to clean parts, since it may take hours for stubborn grime to be washed away.

So, which is better: ultrasonic cleaning or agitation cleaning?

The answer to whether ultrasonic cleaning or agitation cleaning is better depends on several factors:

—What are you trying to clean? If it’s a part that can stand up to rough handling, like a cylinder head, then either agitation or ultrasonic cleaning will probably work, though agitation may take longer. However, if it’s a more delicate or intricate part or object, it may be damaged by agitation. Ultrasonic cleaning provides an effective, but gentler method of cleaning every surface of even the most intricate objects.

—How much time do you have? If time is not much of a factor, then agitation may work for you. Admittedly, agitation cleaners can be cheaper and use less power, but the tradeoff is the amount of time it takes for them to clean parts. You have to consider whether it’s worth your time and money investment to have your cleaning operations be slow or inefficient. Calculate your ROI (Return on Investment) for both types of cleaners to see which one comes out ahead for your needs.

—What’s your budget? In general, agitation cleaners can cost less initially than ultrasonic cleaners. If you’re looking at a low spend, then you may want to consider an agitation cleaner. However, when you’re considering cost, you need to take into account the entire cost, including production time lost for cleaning, overall energy used, employee time spent, and so on. Return on Investment (ROI) is another significant cost factor. Depending on your operation, you may find that investing in an ultrasonic cleaner produces more significant savings in the long run by cutting down on production time lost to cleaning, for example.

Overall, whether ultrasonic or agitation cleaning is better depends on your operational needs and other factors. To get some guidance on the best type of cleaner for your situation, you should contact one of our experts at Omegasonics at 888-989-5560 or by emailing us at Omegasonics@Omegasonics.com. You can also get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

So, what is ultrasonic cleaning?

First off, what is ultrasonic cleaning and how does it work? Ultrasonic cleaning is made possible by the physical action of high-frequency sound waves traveling through a liquid. These waves, produced by a piezoelectric transducer hooked up to a diaphragm, move through the liquid and produce millions of microscopic bubbles when they strike the surface of an object. This effect is called cavitation. Bubbles created through cavitation are “filled” with space, so there’s nothing to keep them open. So, they collapse almost as fast as they are created, releasing tremendous bursts of vacuum energy in the form of heat and pressure. These jets of energy strike against the object to be cleaned, dislodging contaminants such as rust and grime. The result: fast and effective cleaning.

So, what can an ultrasonic cleaner clean?

It’s probably easier to consider what an ultrasonic cleaner can’t clean. After all, ultrasonic cleaning is used across a wide range of industries to clean a huge variety of materials. Ultrasonic cleaning is used to clean everything from medical implants to aerospace parts to carburetors to handguns. It shows its versatility when cleaning household items damaged by flood or smoke damage, for example. Even though ultrasonic cleaning can be used on the toughest industrial parts, it can also clean equally well grandmother’s best china set after a fire has blackened it.

There are only two main categories of items which can’t be cleaned by ultrasonic cleaning: items which shouldn’t be submerged in water because the liquid will damage them and items which can’t be easily dried. That’s it.

So that means everything from Grandma’s china to snowmobile carburetors can be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners. Even electronic circuit boards can be cleaned. If they’re not connected to electricity at the time, and they’re properly dried out later on, it’s perfectly safe, and they won’t be harmed.

And when an ultrasonic cleaner is combined with a forced air drying cabinet, then you’ve got a potential cleaning assembly line operation going.

Bottom line: if it’s a surface contaminant, it can probably be removed from the object with the combination of ultrasonic waves and a detergent specially formulated for that type of grime.

The list of contaminants that ultrasonic cleaning can’t remove is about as short as the list of objects it can’t clean. Ultrasonic cleaning can remove just about any type of dirt, rust, oil, grime, carbon and more.

So, if you’re looking to clean any type of industrial or commercial part, especially if it’s something that involves a lot of elbow grease and time,  consider investing in an ultrasonic cleaner.

But don’t just take our word for it here. Got a question about what ultrasonic cleaners can clean and want to talk to someone about it? Call one of our ultrasonic experts at Omegasonics at 888-989-5560 or email us at Omegasonics@Omegasonics.com. You can also get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form.

Solvent-based cleaning is going the way of the dinosaurs

For decades, harsh chemical solvents have been the traditional way to clean tough industrial grime. However, the Montreal Protocol of 1987 began the trend of either outlawing the most harmful solvents outright or limiting their use, due to toxicity to workers and the environment. These days, solvents are sometimes applied via spray cans to limit their application. As they are applied directly to the part being cleaned, however, much of the spray atomizes into the air or drops to the ground. While slightly better than older methods, this still creates an airborne hazard for workers and pollutes the environment. What if there were a better, less costly, and greener solution? Fortunately, there is: ultrasonic cleaning.

Ultrasonic Cleaning: The Environmentally-Friendly Way to Clean

The detergents used in ultrasonic cleaning systems are generally nontoxic, biodegradable, and meet all state and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. Ultrasonic cleaners typically do not use harmful chemical solvents, depending instead on a combination of ultrasonic power, plus water and detergents similar to those we find at home.

Of course, discarded water-based detergents must still be treated, since usually the industrial parts being cleaned will inject hazardous oils and chemicals into the wastewater. However, when it comes to treating wastewater from ultrasonic cleaning, companies have many more options than they would with solvents. For example, wastewater recycling can be accomplished through flocculation treatment processes that extract the harmful waste while retaining water to be returned to the environment. Water can be passively evaporated or boiled off, leaving only sludge.

One common objection to using water-based detergents is that they aren’t inherently as powerful as solvents for many types of cleaning. Though modern detergent formulas have become quite specialized and powerful, additional help is still usually needed. This is where the power of ultrasonic cleaning comes in.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Plus Detergents – a Powerful Combo

Water-based soaps need some type of mechanical help to overcome their lack of inherent solvency. When an ultrasonic cleaner is turned on, and the ultrasonic sound waves start moving through the liquid, they create millions of microscopic cavitating bubbles, which collapse and produce powerful jets of force against the object being cleaned. One huge plus: for items large or small requiring precision cleaning in threaded areas or inside tubes or blind holes, ultrasound is far superior to any type of solvent.

Omegasonics Offers Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Cleaning Detergents

Here is a small list of the types of detergents available from Omegasonics:

• OmegaClean – Our most versatile ultrasonic cleaning soap. This cleaning agent removes oil, grease, carbon, and contaminants from a variety of metals. It contains buffers to protect aluminum finishes and silicates to guard against flash rusting.
• OmegaSupreme – A detergent perfect for removing oils, light grease, dirt, grime, carbon and other contaminants from a wide variety of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, carbon steel, and plastics.
• CitriSurf® 2050 – An ultrasonic cleaner passivator, specifically formulated to passivate a limited variety of stainless steel grade surfaces without the use of nitric acid.
• CitriSurf® 2210 – An environmentally-friendly ultrasonic cleaner soap designed to passivate large stainless steel surfaces that cannot be immersed into a heated ultrasonic bath.
• CitriSurf® 2250 – An ultrasonic cleaning passivator that has been specifically formulated to passivate all grades of stainless steel and titanium surfaces without the use of nitric acid. It also removes calcium carbonate from brass, steel, and nickel.
• Omega Horn Clean 727 – A phosphoric-based cleaning solution ideal for cleaning a variety of brass musical instruments.

To see more, check out our full array of ultrasonic detergent soaps and solutions available.

Go Green with our Team of Ultrasonic Cleaning Experts!

Trying to make your industrial cleaning operation more environmentally friendly? Want to know more about ultrasonic cleaning or our line of solvent-free detergents? Contact our experts at Omegasonics at 888-989-5560 or by emailing us at Omegasonics@Omegasonics.com, or by filling out our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

Generally speaking, inhaling or touching any type of solvent can pose potentially dangerous health concerns and should be avoided. Many workers are unaware of the potential hazards in their work environment, which makes them even more vulnerable to long term health issues.

Employers are responsible for informing employees of the hazards and the identities of workplace chemicals to which they are exposed and providing the proper protective handling equipment.

Certain solvents that are inhaled can adversely affect the respiratory tract and central nervous system. Every solvent has the ability to cause dermatitis by dissolving the oils that protect your skin and drying/chapping it. Skin irritation is the most common side effect. In fact, if you do have to use a solvent in your industry, we recommend a citrus-based one, as it is not as harmful to your skin.

If for no other reason than the health of their employees, many companies are turning to ultrasonic cleaning with water based detergents and eliminating the use of toxic solvents. What they are also discovering, in addition, is that in industrial settings where heavy duty cleaning is warranted, ultrasound cleans more precisely, even better, than solvents!

If you have had success with solvents but are weary of the health effects it may cause you and your employees, try using, an Omegasonics, Ultrasonic “Water-Based” Soaps. These water-based soaps by themselves are often not as effective as industrial based solvents, however, when they are combined with the powerful mechanical agitation of ultrasonic cavitation, they will easily outperform solvents and hand scrubbing.

Ultrasonic soaps are especially unique because they are specially designated for almost all types of cleaning applications. With ultrasonic cleaning, we can all breathe a little easier… on several different levels!

Wondering which soap(s) can meet your organizations’ needs? Take a look at How To Pick A Soap!