[R-390] Cleaning Gears & Cams

[ToddRoberts2001 at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/20/2005 8:40:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
dhallam at rapidsys.com writes:
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

Hi Dave, thanks for the info on the ultrasonic cleaners. Can you recommend a 
safe cleaning solution for aluminum parts? I know that sodium hydroxide will 
attack aluminum. I think I read that it is also the water itself in the 
cleaning tank that is harmful to aluminum - something about the hydrogen in the water 
that "embrittles" the aluminum - is that why you recommend using a solvent 
cleaner? A non-water-based solvent cleaner for aluminum? I have heard using 
kerosene in a USC works great but you need to be careful with it? Thanks for any 
further tips or suggestions. 73 - Todd WD4NGG.