In industrial production and daily life, zinc alloy hardware accessories are widely used in various fields due to their excellent mechanical properties, casting performance, and low cost. However, zinc alloys are prone to rusting in specific environments, which not only affects their appearance but may also reduce their performance and service life. How to effectively clean zinc alloy hardware accessories when rust stains appear? Ultrasonic cleaning technology provides us with an efficient and convenient solution.
Zinc alloy is an alloy composed of zinc as the basis and other elements added. Although zinc itself has a certain degree of corrosion resistance, it can form a relatively dense zinc oxide protective film on its surface, preventing oxygen and moisture from further corroding the internal metal. However, in practical use, if the environmental humidity is high, acidic or alkaline substances are present, and galvanic corrosion occurs with other metals, this protective film will be damaged. Once the protective film is damaged, the zinc in the zinc alloy will react chemically with oxygen and moisture in the air, gradually forming loose and porous rust, which is the rust we see. For example, in coastal areas, the salt content in the air is higher, making zinc alloy hardware accessories more prone to rusting.
When dealing with rust stains on zinc alloy hardware accessories, people may first think of traditional cleaning methods. If manually wiping, use tools such as sandpaper and wire brushes to remove rust through physical friction. Although this method is simple and direct, its efficiency is low. For some complex shaped or finely structured accessories, it is difficult to thoroughly clean rust stains, and it is also easy to scratch the surface of the accessories during the wiping process, further affecting their appearance and performance.
Chemical cleaning method refers to the use of acidic or alkaline cleaning agents to chemically react with rust, dissolving and removing the rust. However, zinc alloys with different compositions have varying tolerances to cleaning agents. If an inappropriate cleaning agent is chosen, it may excessively corrode the zinc alloy substrate while removing rust, resulting in decreased dimensional accuracy and damaged surface glossiness of the components. Moreover, if the waste liquid generated after chemical cleaning is not handled properly, it can also cause pollution to the environment.
Ultrasonic cleaning technology can effectively overcome many drawbacks of traditional cleaning methods. Ultrasonic waves are a type of sound wave with a frequency higher than 20000 hertz, which causes high-frequency vibrations of liquid particles when propagating in a liquid. When ultrasound is applied to cleaning solution, countless tiny bubbles are generated, which quickly grow and expand under the negative pressure of ultrasound, and then suddenly close under positive pressure. This process is called the "cavitation effect". At the moment of cavitation effect, the closure of bubbles generates an impact force of up to thousands of atmospheres, like countless tiny "brushes", which strongly impact and peel off the rust on the surface of zinc alloy hardware accessories. At the same time, the high-frequency vibration of ultrasound can accelerate the chemical reaction between the chemicals in the cleaning agent and the rust, causing the rust stains to quickly dissolve in the cleaning solution. This combination of physical and chemical cleaning method can penetrate into the subtle gaps, holes, and other difficult to reach parts of accessories, achieving comprehensive and blind spot free cleaning.
Advantages of Ultrasonic Cleaning for Zinc Alloy Hardware Accessories
Compared to traditional manual wiping and chemical cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning can complete the cleaning of a large number of zinc alloy hardware accessories in a short period of time. Its cavitation effect can simultaneously act on various parts of the accessory, greatly reducing cleaning time and improving production efficiency. For example, in a factory that produces zinc alloy jewelry in bulk, ultrasonic cleaning machines can complete the rust removal and cleaning of thousands of jewelry pieces within a few hours, while manual cleaning requires a lot of manpower and time.
The all-round characteristics of ultrasonic cleaning enable it to penetrate into the subtle details of accessories, thoroughly removing rust stains that are difficult to reach by traditional methods. Whether it's complex molds, parts with precision threads, or electronic component casings with small holes, ultrasonic cleaning can ensure no dead corners and restore the original cleanliness and performance of the parts.
3. Due to the fact that ultrasonic cleaning mainly relies on cavitation effect and chemical action of cleaning agents, there is no need to use hard tools for friction, which can effectively avoid scratching, wear and other damage to the surface of zinc alloy hardware accessories. This is particularly important for accessories that require high surface quality, such as decorative hardware for high-end furniture and components for precision instruments, to maintain the appearance and accuracy of the accessories to the greatest extent possible.
4. The cleaning agents used in ultrasonic cleaning are usually environmentally friendly products, and the amount of cleaning agent used during the cleaning process is relatively small. Meanwhile, the energy consumption of the cleaning machine is relatively low, and compared to some cleaning methods that require high temperature, high pressure, or extensive use of chemical agents, ultrasonic cleaning is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The waste liquid generated after cleaning can be discharged in compliance with standards through simple treatment, reducing environmental pollution.
When zinc alloy hardware fittings rust, ultrasonic cleaning technology has become an ideal cleaning method due to its high efficiency, thoroughness, environmental friendliness, and ability to protect the surface of the fittings. By following the correct operating procedures and precautions, rust stains can be easily removed, making zinc alloy hardware accessories look brand new and extending their service life, bringing convenience to industrial production and daily life.
