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Very gentle, mild cleaning often is required when (a) cleaning substrates made from delicate materials, or (b) when the contamination is light, or (c) when the principle contamination being removed is water. Milder solvents generally are noted as having a low Kb value, typically 20-40 or so (a high Kb value is 100+). Many mild solvents…
In general, cleaning strength is measured by the Kauri-Butanol rating (Kb Value) of the solvent. Higher Kb values generally correlate with stronger, more aggressive cleaning. Higher Kb values also may be associated with materials compatibility issues. A high Kb value solvent, for example, might craze soft polycarbonate plastics. The trade off is to balance a milder…
No, the products are not “mil-spec approved” because old-style “military specifications” no longer are used. But that doesn’t mean the military, NATO, or military suppliers aren’t using the MicroCare solvents.The Evolution of Cleaning SpecificationsIn the old days, say the 1960s, when governments decided they needed a new jet, missile or submarine the military would define…
General, materials compatibility is not an issue with the MicroCare cleaners, but make no mistake — materials compatibility can be a complex question. In general, the higher the Kb value of the solvent, the more likely the material will have some compatibility issues.For example, Vertrel™ XF has almost no compatibility problems with any substrate. It has a very mild…
Kb value refers to a standardized ASTM test that measures the relative strength of a non-aqueous cleaning fluid. The test involves measuring the solubility of a very specific type of contamination, called “kauri gum.” Kb values range from 10 (very mild) to 200 or even higher (very strong). Mild solvents with lower Kb values will may not…
MicroCare recommends nonflammable solvents, or cleaning fluids, to minimize costs and maximize worker safety. In general, most of the the MicroCare, Tergo and Chemours Vertrel and Opteon products all are nonflammable. The full line of precision cleaning choices can be reviewed on this web site.In terms of the hardware, most vapor degreasing systems are engineered for the use of…