Understanding the Vapor Degreasing Process
Comments Off on Understanding the Vapor Degreasing ProcessVapor degreasing helps clean certain surfaces by using solvent vapors to dissolve greases, oils, and other contaminants. The thorough cleaning this technique provides subsequently prepares the designated workpiece for final finishing processes. This also makes it popular in industries where cleanliness and sanitation are critical requirements, including automotive, aerospace, and medical applications. With a better understanding of this industrial metal cleaning technique and its advantages over other cleaning methods, you can determine whether vapor degreasing is right for your application.
How Does Vapor Degreasing Work?
The vapor degreasing process works based on the principle of condensation cleaning, entailing the following steps:
1. Solvent Boiling
A sump heats a particular type of solvent to convert it into vapors for cleaning. The large amounts of vapor subsequently generate a vapor zone suitable for cleaning various parts. The vapor zone is maintained using condenser coils or a water jacket, which traps the vapors to keep them from escaping the system.
2. Condensation Cleaning
The cleaning process results from condensation that forms on the part’s surface within the vapor zone. This thin liquid film then begins to dissolve greases, oils, and other elements on the part’s surface. The exact cleaning conditions may differ depending on the weight and specific heat requirements of the given application.
3. Drainage and Drying
Once cleaning is complete, the contaminated liquid begins to drip down into the sump below, carrying the contaminants with it. The end result is a dry, thoroughly cleaned part that is ready to undergo any additional processing.
This closed-loop system effectively cleans surfaces while enabling the recycling of solvents for future use, making the degreasing process both reliable and sustainable.
Benefits of Vapor Degreasing
Vapor degreasing comes with multiple advantages that set it apart from other processes, such as:
- Enhanced cleaning efficiency. Vapor degreasers eliminate many contaminants from metal surfaces, including some of the thickest greases, using an efficient, closed-loop process.
- Non-abrasive cleaning. Vapor degreasing is also gentler than more abrasive mechanical techniques, helping maintain each part’s structural integrity, regardless of complexity.
- Speed and consistency. The process is highly automated to optimize productivity and uniformity while reducing the need for manual cleaning tasks.
- Eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. This technique facilitates the recovery and reuse of solvents, saving you money on operational expenses while minimizing waste.
- Material versatility. Vapor degreasing is a versatile process that can clean many types of parts, including metal workpieces and those comprising certain polymers.
Quality Vapor Degreasing by New Method Plating
If you need a reliable cleaning technique for your parts, the vapor degreasing process is one of the most effective, efficient, and sustainable options available. At New Method Plating, we provide this solution for precision parts cleaning, helping you clean various parts with some of the latest technology. In addition to vapor degreasing, you’ll find many types of solutions with New Method Plating, including metal plating services, passivation, sandblasting, and chem film coatings. Whatever your needs, we’re here to meet them with the right solution based on your unique application requirements.
Request a quote today to discuss a potential project with our team of experts.