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Alternative to acid cleaning of brass parts to avoid oil sticking on the part

   

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We use acid cleaning on brass parts to clean oil/dust particles before using it as it is, or electroplating with silver. We are not totally satisfied with this process since we continue to have a problem in functioning of the part (which will always be under continuous contact with other metal parts/plastic parts). Is there any economical alternative to acid cleaning for parts to be used as is, and as preparation before silver plating.

Cowkur Giri Suresh
Manufacturing Engineer - Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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The brass can be alkaline soak cleaned; it can even be alkaline electrocleaned. Acid is a poor cleaner; you'll probably want to activate or bright dip the parts in acid, but this should be preceded by alkaline cleaning. Vapor degreasing can precede the alkaline cleaning if you wish.

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

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Mr Giri

oil is removed by a soak clean followed by electroclean .

Asif Nurie Atlanta Global New Delhi, India

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I am following up on Ted's answer. The first cleaning should be with an alkaline like sodium hydroxide to degrease the parts. Immersion in acid is an electrochemical process. If oil is present on the surface, your results will be spotty. If all oil is removed the acid should work better.

Dave Fairbourn
CVD of jet engine turbine parts - Sandy, Utah