The term “degreasing” implies its purpose: the degreasing of metals is a widely used process in industrial production cycles that serves to remove oils, greases, dust, and other contaminating substances. Greases and dust can compromise the quality and effectiveness of subsequent treatments such as painting, galvanization, or welding: that’s why this operation is crucial to ensure that metal surfaces are perfectly clean and ready for further processing, thereby avoiding problems like poor adhesion of coatings or defects in the finished product.
For example, in the automotive industry, degreasing is performed on steel used for car bodies to ensure that the paint adheres correctly and lasts over time. In the electronics sector, for another example, degreasing aluminum in smartphone and computer casings ensures that the final assembly is free from short circuits or malfunctions due to oily contaminants. In the aerospace industry, copper and its alloys are degreased to ensure maximum efficiency and safety in electrical and mechanical components.
The Degreasing Pretreatment Process: How It Works
The degreasing pretreatment starts with assessing the nature and amount of impurities present on the metal surface. The actual treatment can be performed manually or with mechanized and automated systems, but generally includes phases of applying solvents or detergents, rinsing, and sometimes heating to facilitate the removal of unwanted substances.
There are various degreasing techniques, each suitable for specific types of metals and contaminants:
• Spray degreasing: Uses jets of solvent or detergent to remove residues, ideal for complex or large pieces.
• Immersion degreasing: Metals are immersed in a solvent bath, often with the addition of ultrasound or mechanical agitation for deep cleaning.
• Vibration degreasing: This method uses mechanical energy to dislodge impurities, suitable for delicate or small pieces.
The choice of the most appropriate technique depends, as mentioned, on the nature of the metal and the type and intensity of contaminants to be removed.
How to Choose Degreasing Additives
Selecting degreasing additives is crucial: additives can be more or less effective depending on the type of metal treated or the type of grease or contamination present on the surface.
We recommend considering these factors before purchasing a degreasing additive:
• Type of metal: Different metals can react differently to additives. For instance, strongly alkaline additives may be effective for cleaning steel but can damage aluminum or light alloys.
• Nature of the contaminant: Oils, greases, dust, and processing residues require different types of additives. Heavy oils might need additives with higher degreasing power compared to light oils.
• Degreasing method: Depending on whether degreasing is done by spraying, immersion, or vibration, the additive must have specific properties, such as the ability to act quickly or to penetrate narrow spaces.
• Environmental impact and safety: It is important to choose additives that are not only effective but also environmentally friendly and safe for operators.
Additionally, testing the additive under real conditions before large-scale adoption can help identify the most effective solution, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Applications of Degreasing
Finally, it’s worth noting that metal degreasing has a wide range of applications, from producing automotive and aerospace components to manufacturing medical equipment and tools.
Degreasing is not limited to common materials like steel and aluminum: advanced degreasing techniques are also applied to precious metals such as gold and silver in the jewelry industry, where surface purity is essential for achieving a high-quality finished product.
BAMA S.r.l. provides metal degreasing and pretreatment services, as well as selling a specific degreasing product: Bama Pulismart, a liquid product that has degreasing, decontaminating, and deoxidizing action on stainless steel.
Would you like to purchase the product or receive a no-obligation consultation? Contact us!
