Alkaline, neutral, acidic and specialty cleaners each address different soils and materials.
Alkaline cleaners
Alkaline cleaners are the general-purpose workhorse for oil, grease and carbon on most metal parts. They are the most common starting point in industrial degreasing.
Concentration and temperature are controlled for the alloy.
- Oil and grease
- General carbon
- Most metals at controlled use
Neutral cleaners
Neutral cleaners are gentler and used for sensitive alloys, light contamination and parts where alkaline chemistry is unsuitable.
They are slower on heavy oil but protect sensitive surfaces.
Acidic and specialty cleaners
Acidic cleaners address rust, scale and oxide, while de-flux, enzymatic and other specialty formulations target specific residues such as PCB flux and biological soil.
Acidic treatment is followed by thorough rinsing and, where needed, passivation.
Concentration and bath life
Concentrated liquids are diluted to a recommended percentage, with higher dosing for heavy soil. Concentration, filtration and oil skimming set bath life.
Safety data and compatibility should be reviewed before use.
Quick Answers
Frequently asked questions
Alkaline cleaners are the general-purpose choice for oil, grease and carbon; neutral and acidic cleaners handle sensitive or oxidized work.
For rust, scale and oxide films, with controlled time and thorough rinsing, sometimes followed by passivation.
Not reliably; the chemistry is matched to the soil and material, which is why specialty formulations exist.
