A degreaser is a cleaner used to remove cutting fluids, grease, oils, fingerprints, and other contamination accumulated in various machinery, especially in industries. There are various types of degreasers and industrial cleaners depending on the area where they need to be used. Some types include precision cleaners, maintenance cleaners and carb or brake cleaners for automotive repairs.
The primary purpose of a degreaser is to remove stubborn stains easily, limiting scrubbing and wiping as much as possible. Degreasers are commonly packed as aerosols for convenience. Aerosols provide a forceful spray that penetrates even in very small areas making them advantageous.
Also Read: 5 Reasons Why Your Industrial Space Needs Professional Cleaning
Why Use A Degreaser?
Contamination of dirt, grease and oxidation may cause corrosion, overheating, increased electrical resistance and slipping hazards in contact areas. Degreasing can help you remove dirt and grease from surfaces to avoid such problems. Degreasers and cleaners are capable of cleaning the following equipment and surfaces perfectly:
- Electronics and electrical equipment
- Metal and fibre optic cable splices
- Pneumatic and hydraulic assemblies
- Programmable logic controllers
- Motors and transformers
Strong degreasers for industries can remove grease, dirt and tar from various surfaces, including:
- Flywheels, brakes, and springs
- Compressors, armature, gears and clutches
- Gear drives, pulleys, cables, bearings and chains
- Electrical equipment and motors
The Difference Between Degreasers And Contact Cleaners
Decreasers remove dirt, grease and oil from various equipment and surfaces. Whereas contact cleaners also perform the same job but only on electrical equipment. They remove contaminants from switches, moving electrical equipment, conductive surfaces of connectors and other electrical surfaces.
What To Look For In A Degreaser
You need to consider various factors when choosing a degreaser to ensure good performance and safety.
Flammability
Degreasers contain flammable hydrocarbon solvents and flammable alcohol. They may be very effective and cheap but may become dangerous near hot surfaces, sparks and open flames if left without proper ventilation. Non-flammable degreasers do not have such issues but can be very expensive.
Moreover, non-flammable degreasers may contain very strong liquids that can be toxic. High flashpoint degreasers contain solvents that are less likely to combust in normal temperatures.
Dielectric Strength
If you need to switch on the equipment before the solvent has flashed off or plan to work on powered equipment, try choosing a degreaser with high dielectric strength. You should know the voltage as well as the current value of your circuits before spraying any type of cleaner on your equipment. Dielectric strength is the maximum capacity of an electric field that a material can bear before its insulation breaks. Low dielectric strength breaks down easily, causing the electricity to flow through and short out.
Plastic Or Rubber Compatibility
You should be very careful when using cleaners on rubber or plastic components such as seals. If the degreaser is unsuitable for plastic or rubber, it may create small cracks in the materials and soften them. The rubber may dissolve, swell or shrink if the wrong cleaner is used on them. Therefore, trying the cleaner first on a small area is always recommended before using it broadly.
Toxicity
Trichloroethylene (TCE), N-Profile-Bromide (nPB) and Perchloroethylene (Perc) are highly toxic that are widely used in cleansers and degreasers to make strong nonflammable degreasers. There are various cases where workers have suffered severe health issues due to these highly toxic chemicals.
Workers report headaches, dizziness and loss of body control when exposed to such chemicals. This further leads to reproductive problems and cancer. This has caused maintenance facilities to reconsider the solvents used for cleaning, especially manual cleaning.
Environmental Issues
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and global warming potential solvents add to smog and increase the threat to the environment. Various degreasers and cleaners are available in the market that are environmentally friendly.
Moreover, some provinces have made proper regulations regarding the use of high VOCs and GWP solvents, restricting their use as much as possible. So using solvents that are good for the environment can be the best choice for you and our earth.
About Us
We are industrial-grade cleaning products specialists. We proudly manufacture and supply a comprehensive range of liquid and powdered industrial cleaning and degreasing products accompanied by premium quality car wash soaps and vehicle detailing products. Learn more about Sunrise Industrial Cleaners here.
Need premium quality industrial degreasers and cleaning chemicals? Contact us now.
