Ultrasonic cleaning uses high frequency sounds waves, those beyond the range of normal human hearing (18 kHz), and an appropriate cleaning solvent to remove contaminants from parts. The ultrasound can be used with just water or be combined with surfactants to gently remove residual cutting oils and microscopic chips.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Will Remove:

Contaminants

Dirt & Dust

Fingerprints

Grease

Oil

The Process Central to Ultrasonic Cleaning is Cavitation

In cavitation, micron sized bubbles are formed from the alternating pressure waves generated from the diaphragms attached to high energy transducers. This process facilitates the ultrasonic cleaning process. The energy is transferred and stored in the bubble itself. When the bubble comes into contact with the hard surface of the part to be cleaned it implodes into a micro jet. The jet with its relatively high pressure, temperature and velocity remove the unwanted particles from the part surface.

A part is submerged in the cleaning solution, and cavitation bubbles collect on its surface. Once the bubbles reach a certain size, they pop, collapsing violently in on themselves and releasing small, powerful bursts of plasma energy. These plasma bursts collide with, agitate, and remove tiny particles of foreign substances from the part surface. This process happens thousands of times per second, and ultrasonic cleaning harnesses this energy to quickly and completely strip away contaminants of all kinds.

Because the bubbles are so tiny, ultrasonic cleaning is a very gentle process. And, as the bubbles will cover the entire surface of the part and infiltrate even the smallest cracks, crevices, blind holes, threads, and other features, ultrasonic cleaning is an effective method of cleaning the entire part, inside and out.