Product Classifications
Learn about the different classes of products. The lists of products can be found in the lab's testing database of alternative cleaning solvents.
Classifications
Aqueous: Acidic, Alkaline, Caustic, Neutral
Aqueous
Aqueous products are based on water and can come in four subgroups
| Acidic - pH less than 7. Acidic cleaning is routinely used to remove scale, rust, and oxides from metals. The cleaners may contain mineral acids (hydrofluoric, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric), chromic acids, or organic acids (acetic or oxalic). They also may contain detergents, chelating agents, and small amounts of water-miscible solvents. |
| See a list of acidic products in CleanerSolutions |
| Alkaline - pH greater than 7 and less then 12. They are the most common solutions in aqueous cleaning. Alkaline cleaners often contain additives to improve cleaning, such as sequestering agents, emulsifiers, and surfactants. Inhibitors are necessary with some metals, especially aluminum. |
| See a list of alkaline products in CleanerSolutions |
| Caustic - ph greater than 12, usually cotian sodium hydroxide or potassium hyrdoxide. |
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See a list of caustic products in CleanerSolutions |
| Neutral - are mixtures of water and other chemical compounds with a pH near 7. The chemical compounds may include surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, and other additives. Neutral and alkaline aqueous solutions are the most commonly used aqueous solutions. They will work for most solvent substitution applications. |
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See a list of neutral products in CleanerSolutions |
Semi-Aqueous
Semi-aqueous products are semi-stable mixtures of water and solvents, also called emulsions. Semi-aqueous cleaning also includes processes where parts are first cleaned in a solvent, then rinsed in water. The solvents are usually volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as terpenes, glycol ethers, esters, or hydrocarbons. These solvents are also flammable when used by themselves, or pure. Most semi-aqueous solutions leave a residue that can be removed with a water rinse. Sometimes the film is left on the part as a protective coating.
See a list of semi-aqueous products in CleanerSolutions
Terpenes
Terpenes are organic solvents that are usually derived from natural sources such as pine trees or citrus fruit. They generally have strong characteristic odors. Specific terpenes used in cleaning are a-pinene, d-limonene, and turpentine, which is a mixture of terpenes. Terpenes are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are flammable or combustible.
See a list of terpene products in CleanerSolutions
Petroleum distillates
Petroleum distillates are hydrocarbon solvents produced from crude oil. These solvents include mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent.
See a list of petroleum distillate products in CleanerSolutions
Alcohols
Alcohols commonly used alcohols in cleaning include methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol (IPA). IPA is the most widely used. They are all volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with vapor pressures ranging from 33 to 92 mmHg at 68°F (44 to 122 mbar at 20°C). They are also flammable and must be handled accordingly.
See a list of alcohol products in CleanerSolutions
Di-Basic Esters
Di-Basic Esters (DBE) are a mixture of methyl esters of adipic, glutaric,and succinic acid. DBE is commonly used as a paint stripper.
See a list of DBE products in CleanerSolutions
Glycol Ether
Glycol Ethers are organic solvents. Many different glycol ethers are used for cleaning
Bio-based
Bio-based products are composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products or renewable domestic agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials) or forestry materials.
See a list of biobased solvents in CleanerSolutions
Halogenated
Halogenated sovlents contain one or more of the Halogen chemicals (typically fluorine, chlorine or bromine).
