[R-390] Cleaning Gears & Cams

[David C. Hallam]

As long as you use a non-alkaline cleaner, ultrasonic cleaning is perfectly
safe for aluminum.  Alkaline cleaners that contain sodium hydroxide or
sodium carbonate will attack aluminum although they are safe for steel or
brass. Use a solvent base cleaner for aluminum.

We used ultrasonic cleaners for years to clean precision parts of dies and
never experienced any damage from the cleaning.

Properly applied anodizing or other bonded coatings, not paint, will not be
affected by ultrasonic cleaning.

David
KC2JD

-----Original Message-----
From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of
ToddRoberts2001 at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2005 6:34 PM
To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [R-390] Cleaning Gears & Cams


In a message dated 11/19/2005 12:05:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
chacuff at cableone.net writes:
Ultrasonic cleaning is a good way to go if you have one big enough to fit
something as large as the gear train in.  I wish I did....
I guess it gets the gunk in between the split gears..have you ever pulled a
pair apart after a cleaning to see what is left between them?
Cecil

I have been doing some research on ultrasonic cleaners. It seems they can
damage aluminum parts in a process called "embrittlement". A standard test
for
ultrasonic cleaners is to immerse a piece of aluminum foil in the tank for a
few
minutes - the foil will be peppered with pin-prick holes that were blasted
into the aluminum. If you leave the aluminum foil in the tank for 30 minutes
it
will be pulverized. Also have read it will strip the anodizing right off of
aluminum. Supposed to be okay for steel parts though. Also read that
ultrasonic
cleaners will dull threads and dull the edges of sharp tools like scissors.
Not sure if it's worth the risk? Maybe safe if used for just a few minutes?
Sounds like a great way to clean an R-390A geartrain but don't want to risk
damaging parts. Guess I will stick with using a kerosene soak and bath for
now until
I know more. 73 Todd - WD4NGG
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