Background

For many years, a major engine maintenance and overhaul company in Singapore used trichloroethylene (TCE) to remove Tolber Microwax C-562 from turbine blades during their plating process.

The toxicity of TCE became a concern at this facility and the wax removal system was switched to an aqueous cleaner. However, the cleaning results were not satisfactory, and the aqueous wash bath quickly became saturated with masking wax causing frequent changeouts of the bath.

Vantage Performance Materials Support and Recommendation

For environmental and performance reasons, the engine maintenance facility switched to Vantage Performance MaterialsTM BIOACTTM 280 semi-aqueous cleaning system. For the BIOACT 280 wash bath equipment, an oil jacket heating system and propeller agitation were added to replace the former 2000-liter tank that stored toxic TCE.

The Singapore company followed the regular use for BIOACT 280 as follows:

1. 1)  Apply plating wax in Tank #1

2. 2)  After the plating process is completed, remove gross wax in Tank #2 using heated wax

3. 3)  The parts are washed in 100% BIOACT 280 in Tank #3

4. 4)  The parts are rinsed in two successive heated water rinse tanks (Tank #4 and Tank #5) with mechanical agitation

Results

Before implementation, it was estimated that the 10-drum BIOACT 280 wash bath would need to be replaced about every two to four months (equaling approximately 40 drums per year). However, the system was initially started in September and not changed out for five months until February of the next year. In total, the company ended up only needing 12 drums of BIOACT 280, resulting in a reduction of 70% of the normal drum usage.

After working and consulting further with Vantage specialists, their consumption reduced even more, and now, change-outs only occur once every 9 months. An estimated 50+% savings in cost was realized and, additionally, they’ve eliminated the health and safety concern by eliminating the use of TCE.

Vantage Performance Materials BIOACT 280 is approved for plating wax removal by:

• General Electric Aviation as a general parts cleaner and as a plating wax remover on GEAE and CFMI engine hardware.

• General Electric Aviation per the Master Cleaner List 3.6.5 identified in GE Aviation SCWC (supply chain web center), Semi-Aqueous Immersion Cleaners (100%)

• Honeywell Process Specification C7010, Rev H

• International Aero Engines (IAE) CoMat 01-460

• Pratt & Whitney MCL E-205 Titanium Stress Corrosion Test

• Pratt & Whitney as PMC 8913-1, -2 Wax Removal Solvent for SPOP 37 Method 2 Removal of Plating Wax

  (SPM Rev 120, Part #585005)

• Pratt & Whitney as PMC 8913-1, -2 Wax Removal Solvent for POP 1800-U Masking of Parts Prior to Selective Painting, Chemical Processing, Painting, or Stripping

  For More Information:

  To learn more about BIOACTTM 280 Wax Remover, please click here: BIOACT 280 video.

  If you’re interested in learning more about Vantage Performance Product solutions, please contact your local Vantage representative or email VPMinfo@Vantagegrp.com