Electrochemicals Blog – EPI – Electrochemical Products Inc.

February 20th, 2008

Recently, a distributor from Chemithon -Portland Gary Sylvester presented us an opportunity to remove laser scale. We tried two products E-Pik 215  sodium bisulfate base and E-Kleen 154 phosphoric acid base cleaners. The following is the method that works for removing the scale

E-Pik 215 2#/gallon, 140 F, 3 minutes

E-Kleen 154 10% by volume, 120-140F, 5-7 minutes

E-Kleen 154 — An acidic, solvent based, multi-metal cleaner and mild aluminum etchant.

E-Kleen 154 is a liquid concentrate blend of acid, solvent, surfactants and complexers, formulated to achieve in one step, the cleaning and preparation of a variety of metal surfaces prior to blackening, phosphating and chromating. It is recommended for use following conventional alkaline soak cleaners to ensure neutralization of residual alkalinity prior to acidic blackening or oxidizing processes. It is an effective surface conditioner/activator prior to Insta-Blak acidic blackening processes. It will remove light oils, light rust, light heat-treat scale and most shop soils efficiently and quickly. This metal cleaner can be bought online.

E-Pik 215 — Dry Acid Salts

It is a general purpose metal activator and deoxidizer containing fluoride which is used at room temperature on steel, copper, brass, and zinc.

E-Pik 215 is a free flowing mixture of dry acids and is more convenient and safer to use than liquid mineral aids. It does not produce the undesirable fumes given off with strong acids. It is dissolved in water and used at ambient temperatures to remove light to medium surface rust from steel and to activate steel surfaces prior to blackening with EPI's Insta-Blak or Ultra-Blak solutions. Heavily rusted surfaces may require elevated temperatures of 150°-170° F. No venting required when used at ambient temperatures. It is used following the water rinse after cleaning the steel surfaces with EPI's E-Kleen alkaline soak and electrocleaners.

E-Pik 215 is more moderate in its action on steel surfaces than mineral acids and produces a uniformly active surface. It is also used to activate zinc plated surfaces, diecast zinc surfaces, and copper and copper alloy surfaces prior to blackening, oxidizing, antiquing, plating, chromating, or other finishing.

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