CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT FOR OXYGEN SERVICE - AIGA

Table 2: Alkaline chemical cleaning materials
(Also applicable to Alkaline Detergents)
21
AIGA 012/04
METAL USED FOR CLEANING CHEMICALS OTHER TREATMENT
Carbon, Low
Alloys Steels
and 9% Nickel
Austenitic
Stainless Steel
Copper and
Alloys
Aluminium and
Alloys
Removal of heavy soil,
grease and oil
Removal of heavy soil,
grease, light oils and
cutting fluids
Removal of greases,
lubricating oils, drawing
compounds, oxides,
metallic particles or other
contaminants
Removal of brazing fluxes Hot water
Removal of greases, oils
and oxides
Mixtures of Sodium
hydroxide, carbonates,
phosphates and silicates
and synthetic wetting agents
Mixtures of Sodium
hydroxide, carbonates,
phosphates and silicates
and synthetic wetting agents
Mixtures of Sodium
hydroxide, polyphosphates,
silicates, carbonates, wetting
agents
Etching: Mixed solution of
sodium hydroxide and
sodium phosphate
Non Etching: Mixed solution
of sodium carbonate, sodium
silicate, sodium
pyrophosphate and sodium
metasilicate
Solutions should not be
allowed to dry on the
component, they must be
thoroughly rinsed away
before passivation
(See Note 3)
Usually bright dipped in
dichromate chromic acid
solution (See Note 3)
Dilute nitric acid dip to
remove deposits remaining
after alkali dipping.
Note:
1) The manufacturers specification for application of the cleaning agent shall be strictly observed.
2) After cleaning using alkaline chemicals, all components shall be thoroughly rinsed, using flowing
oil-free water, preferably hot to aid drying, unless otherwise specified by the supplier of the
cleaning materials.
3) There is a risk of stress corrosion attack unless the components have all chemical cleaning
materials removed.