COMPLIANT METAL PREP CLEANER FOR CHEMLOK® INSERTS, MAYBE…

Many manufacturers use regulated volatile organic compounds for pre-cleaning metal inserts prior to applying Chemlok adhesives, which can lead to compliance-related issues such as usage caps or expensive control technology.  We recently discovered that our friends at Dow Corning make a compliant alternative, Dow Corning® OS-2 Silicone Cleaner and Surface Prep Solvent™.

The OS-2 cleaner is a volatile methylsiloxane fluid that is VOC exempt (VOC = 0 gm/l), non-HAP, non-ozone-depleting and odor-free. By virtue of its chemistry, OS-2 offers very low surface tension, excellent wetting, and excellent solvation characteristics, especially for non-polar liquids such as oil, grease, and drawing compounds.  When the total cost of the pre-cleaning operation is considered, it is likely that the environmentally-friendly OS-2 will represent a very cost-effective solution when compared to standard VOC-type cleaning systems.

Lord recently tested Dow Corning OS-2 as a metal prep for Chemlok® bonding applications.  In that testing it was found that OS-2 performed as well as, or better than, MEK for removing motor oil from metal inserts.  Additional surface analysis indicated no residual methylsiloxane was left behind to contaminate the surface or interfere with the wetting of the Chemlok adhesive.

Customers are advised to test on their parts and in their process.  The limited testing conducted is insufficient to make any broad endorsements or recommendations, but the testing was very positive.  OS-2 could be an excellent solution for those with regulatory problems related to using standard organic cleaners.  Ask your R.D. Abbott technical representative for more information if interested.

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