1.What is ultrasonic cleaning?

 

Ultrasonic Cleaning is the use of sound waves through the water to create microscopic implosions, removing contaminants from surfaces, nooks, and crannies. 

 

The imploding bubbles act like microscopic scrubbing brushes throughout the cleaning tank and remove the contaminants adhering to substrates like metals, plastics, glass, rubber, and ceramics. 

 

This action also penetrates blind holes, cracks, and recesses. The intention is to thoroughly remove all traces of contamination tightly adhering or embedded onto solid surfaces. Water or solvents can be used, depending on the type of contamination, and the workpiece. Contaminants can include dust, dirt, oil, pigments, rust, grease, algae, fungus, bacteria, limescale, polishing compounds, flux agents, fingerprints, soot wax, and mold release agents, biological soil like blood, and so on. Ultrasonic cleaning can be used for a wide range of workpiece shapes, sizes, and materials, and may not require the part to be disassembled prior to cleaning.

 

It’s far more effective than most other methods.

 

2.What is degassing?
Degassing is the function used to describe the removal of gasses from cleaning solution in an ultrasonic cleaning tank.

Dissolved gasses will reduce the effectiveness and power of an ultrasonic cleaner since these gasses produce a cushioning effect on the ultrasonic waves generated. It is better degassing every time you put fresh cleaning solution into the cleaning tank.

 

3.How long do ultrasonic cleaners take to work?

 

How long an ultrasonic cleaner take depends on the object to be cleaned and the contaminants.

 For light cleaning action of a part with hard surfaces, normally lasts between 3-6 minutes, Average cleaning times for common ultrasonic cleaning tasks may range from 10 to 20 minutes but can also exceed 20 minutes.

 

4.Does an ultrasonic cleaner need heat?

Most cleaning operations are much more effective with heating. It’s a lot like cleaning dishes with hot water is easier and better than with cold water.

 

The temperature of the cleaning solution impacts the properties of the cleaning solution’s ability to perform efficient cleaning.

Most cleaning operations are much more effective with heating. It’s a lot like cleaning dishes with hot water is easier and better than with cold water.

 

Generally, heat function finds widespread use when removing grease, grime, coolants and other tenacious contaminants from cast, machined and fabricated metal parts.

For common cleaning recommended cleaning temperature of 40⁰ to 60⁰C.

On the other hand, if you are removing blood, don’t use heat at all.

 

5.What ultrasonic frequency do you need?

 

Most ultrasonic cleaners operate between 35 and 45 kHz.

This frequency range is well suited to the vast majority of

cleaning tasks.

 

A lower frequency such as 25-28 kHz produces larger cavitation.

bubbles. When these bubbles implode, they release a larger

amount of cleaning energy. For coarse cleaning such as

removal of lapping abrasives or polishing paste will be more effective.

 

A higher frequency at 80 - 130 kHz produces smaller cavitation bubbles. This cover fine featured complex surfaces more thoroughly and are gentler than low frequencies. For fine cleaning of very delicate jewelry, electronics with polished surfaces, consider a unit operating at 80 - 130 kHz.

 

If you are cleaning a variety of materials, consider a dual-frequency ultrasonic cleaner.

 

6.How to Select Ultrasonic Power?

Ultrasonic Power has different definitions when discussing ultrasonic cleaning and is described in different ways by equipment manufacturers.  In terms of cleaning power, it is calculated as the power delivered to the transducers and expressed as watts per liter of cleaning solution.  Most cleaners operate at 15-25 watts per liter.

 

As ultrasonic power increases so does the number of bubbles. Increased power will faster cleaning action but only up to a point.  Beyond that you are not only wasting energy you also risk damaging object being cleaned.

 

Noted that the total power needed to drive everything in the unit including ultrasonic power and heating (if supplied).  It should not be confused with ultrasonic power.