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Alkaline Cleaner Compatibility with Electropolished 316L Stainless Steel

Would using Enprep 160 Cleaner (15 oz.), remainder DI water (20 gallon tank) on electropolished 316L Stainless Steel damage the electropolished surface? The immersion time and temp. of the substrate in the cleaner is 15 minutes at 71 deg. C (160 °F).

Greg Wasielewski
- Palo Alto, California
2003

Sorry that nobody answered, Greg -- I would suggest asking Enthone. Chrome is amphoteric; while I personally haven't seen any severe damage done to it by caustic cleaners, it wouldn't surprise me if light etching were to occur and spoil the specularity of electropolished stainless steel.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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