Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Oil free stainless?

I work for a small company and we specify that our suppliers deliver their stainless steel machined parts(303 or 416 generally)in an "oil free state". Is there a way to verify that these parts are indeed machine oil free ?

Mike Caruso
Q.E. medical device manufacturer - Islandia, New York, USA
2006

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I'm sure SSPC and NACE have official tests, but try 1) wiping with white cloth and 2) water break - water beed or flow off.
regards,

Jim Wood
- Concord, California, USA
2006

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2006

Mike:

To get a quantifiable result, you can use the Non-Volatile Residue (NVR) test method from ASTM F331 and ASTM ASTM F303 to establish surface organic residue level. You must use a very clean solvent with an NVR of less than the expected limit value (generally 1.0 µg/L.). Also, you should use a number of parts to establish as much surface area to be tested as possible (up to 1 sq. ft.) per 100ml of test solution.

Daryl L. Roll
Costa Mesa, California, USA