Why Vapor Degreasing Is Critical for Aerospace
Aerospace components need precision engineering during every phase of production, and that includes precision cleaning before the finishing stages and after production is complete. Vapor degreasing processes vaporize and condense solvents on in-process metal goods to dissolve contaminants and cut through grease and debris so they get thoroughly coated and then arrive at assembly or distribution stages ready for any application. Take a closer look at how vapor degreasing works and why it’s so important for producing cutting-edge aerospace components.
What Is Vapor Degreasing?
Vapor degreasing is an aerospace cleaning service offered by New Method Plating for manufactured metal goods intended for aerospace applications. Throughout fabrication and handling, metal surfaces can pick up oils, grease, metal fragments and debris, dirt, and lingering cutting fluids. These create layers of buildup on the surface, especially on parts with crevices and sharply angled corners, that can interfere with sealing, powder coating, and other surface treatments. The buildup can also interfere with performance in sensitive assemblies, endangering people or causing equipment to malfunction.
During each vapor degreasing treatment, we apply solvent vapors that can loosen the material, cut through chemical buildup, and clean every inch of the surface. We follow a thorough five-step process that includes:
- Precleaning to remove loose debris
- Vapor phase cleaning with heated solvents that condense on the metal surfaces and start dissolving contaminants
- Condensation phase cleaning to extend the active period of solvent condensation and contaminant removal
- Rinsing the surfaces with a clean solvent
- Air-drying or forced air-drying to remove all moisture
Aerospace Applications for Vapor Degreasing
Vapor degreasing is a reliable cleaning method for commercial and industrial metal parts. Our technicians use this process in automotive, military, and aerospace manufacturing projects. Aerospace applications include cleaning and preparing:
- Landing gear components
- Engine components
- Turbine blades
- Communication device components
Benefits of Automated Vapor Degreasing
New Method uses automated vapor degreasing processes with innovative equipment that guarantees consistently thorough cleaning and a greater degree of safety for technicians. While there are different cleaning protocols available for metal goods, automated vapor degreasing offers unique advantages that alternative cleaning methods can’t equal. The benefits include:
Consistent Cleanliness to a Higher Standard
Automation guarantees consistency. Our machine efficiently applies degreasing solvents within a heated degreasing chamber, where the solvent vaporizes and then condenses on the relatively cool surfaces of any metal goods within the chamber. The vaporized particles cover the entire surface, including narrow crevices and intricate three-dimensional surfaces that manual scrubbing tools can’t reliably reach. The solvents loosen and dissolve a wide range of contaminants on the surface, so downstream assemblers and equipment operators can trust the performance of the components more readily.
Better Finishing Processes
Many metal components in aerospace need to be plated, powder-coated, or completed with other surface treatments that give the components greater resistance against extreme environmental hazards. But these treatments only work well if the surfaces are clean. Plating defects can happen when surface contaminations interfere with adhesion, chemical reactions, and other mechanisms for aerospace plating, sealing, and coating.
Better Overall Performance and Safety
Contaminants can make powder coating or other finishes fail to adhere to metal components. Greases, oils, and other chemical buildup can negatively affect the performance of engine components in critical aerospace machines, compromising mission completion and the safety of any passengers. When the components are thoroughly cleaned to industrial standards, you remove risky performance variables.
Efficient Processing
Automated vapor degreasing is very fast and doesn’t rely on manual intervention. It also more efficiently uses solvents compared to immersion processes, leading to much less material waste and disposal.
Reach Out to New Method Plating Company, Inc. Today for Vapor Degreasing
New Method Plating Company, Inc. is a trusted provider of high-quality plating services for the aerospace industry and other critical applications. Vapor degreasing is a vital pretreatment phase that makes plating work better and provides more consistent protection. Our company has specialized in craftsmanship and quality services since 1931, and today, our company is AS 9100 certified, holds NASF membership, and provides NADP-accredited chemical processing and coating.
Reach out today to learn more about our capabilities or request a quote to start your order.
