Ultrasonic cleaning in Aeronautics Industry
Ultrasonic cleaning is extensively used in the aeronautic industry for cleaning various components and parts. The aerospace industry relies on ultrasonic cleaning to ensure the cleanliness, safety, and optimal performance of critical aircraft parts. Here’s some information on the application of ultrasonic cleaning in the aeronautic industry:
- Precision Cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaning provides a highly precise and thorough cleaning process for aeronautical components. It effectively removes contaminants like oils, greases, carbon deposits, hydraulic fluids, and other debris from intricate parts, including engine components, turbine blades, fuel nozzles, heat exchangers, and landing gear.
- Enhanced Safety and Reliability: Cleanliness is crucial for aerospace components to maintain their reliability and performance. Ultrasonic cleaning ensures the removal of contaminants that could lead to component failure, blockages, or reduced efficiency. By eliminating debris and deposits, the risk of malfunctions and accidents can be minimized, enhancing the safety of aircraft operations.
- Non-Destructive Cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaning is a gentle process that does not harm delicate aerospace components. It uses cavitation to create microscopic bubbles that safely remove contaminants without causing damage or altering the dimensions of the parts. This is particularly important for sensitive components like sensors, actuators, and avionics.
- Efficiency and Time Savings: Ultrasonic cleaning is a fast and efficient method, reducing the cleaning time required for aeronautical components. It enables thorough cleaning of complex geometries, intricate surfaces, and hard-to-reach areas, saving labor and operational downtime.
- Material Compatibility: Ultrasonic cleaning can be tailored to suit different materials used in the aeronautic industry. By adjusting the frequency, power, and cleaning solution, the process can be optimized to ensure compatibility with a wide range of materials, including metals, alloys, composites, and heat-resistant materials.
- Environmental Considerations: Ultrasonic cleaning is an environmentally friendly option for the aeronautic industry. It typically requires less water and cleaning chemicals compared to traditional cleaning methods, contributing to reduced water consumption and a smaller environmental footprint.
It’s important to note that the aerospace industry has specific regulations and standards regarding cleaning processes, particularly for critical components. Compliance with these standards and manufacturer recommendations is crucial to ensure proper cleaning, component integrity, and adherence to industry requirements.
In summary, ultrasonic cleaning plays a vital role in the aeronautic industry by providing efficient, precise, and non-destructive cleaning of aerospace components. It enhances safety, reliability, and performance while saving time and reducing environmental impact.
In a sector where safety is crucial, the equipment offered by Asonic is ideal for cleaning hydraulic systems, engine parts, heat exchangers, injection pumps, blades, etc., as it does not degrade materials.
How ultrasonic cleaning works?
Ultrasonic cleaning by cavitation might sound like a complicated or even scientific method of cleaning. But let us assure you, once you understand the process of it, it is actually pretty simple.
Ultrasonic cleaning is a fast and effective cleaning method which uses ultrasound energy and with the help of additional cleaning concentrates penetrates deep into the pores of any subject.
It provides thorough removal of unwanted soils from the items undergoing ultrasonic waves penetration. This cleaning method is one of the most recent and efficient ways of dirt removal from different kinds of objects. Ultrasonic cleaning method is based on a cavitation effect.
Cavitation
Cavitation is a process of fast formation and dissipation of micro bubbles in a liquid environment. The effect takes place when the ultrasonic waves are passing through the liquid. Ultrasound (high frequency sound, most commonly used from 28 to 100 kHz) generates the alternating high and low pressure waves which produce tiny bubbles (cavities). They start growing from microscopic size at the low pressure phase until they compress and then implode at the high pressure phase.
The molecules in the liquid collide releasing a massive amount of energy. The energy instantly increases the local temperature producing a high-energy stream aimed at the surface of the object. The bubbles have enormous energy which is targeted and its release lifts contamination off the surface of the objects you are cleaning.
Cavitation process is the basis of ultrasonic cleaning.
Emission of ultrasound waves through liquid causes cavitation – formation of microscopic bubbles in liquid. When these bubbles hit the object surface they implode releasing energy that separates impurities from objects surface. Small size of bubbles enables them to penetrate cracks, holes, pores, perforations and undulations that are hard to reach when cleaning manually. Cavitation removes debris such as dust, dirt, oil, pigment, rust, grease, algae, fungi, bacteria, lime, soot, wax and so on. Materials suitable for cleaning in ultrasonic cleaner are metal, plastic, glass, ceramic and rubber. For optimal cleaning results we recommend solution of distilled water and specially formulated ultrasonic cleaning concentrates.
Use of ultrasonic cleaner is extremely simple.
Put items for cleaning in supplied basket. Carefully place the basket with items in ultrasonic cleaner. Fill the tank with distilled water or cleaning concentrate solution. Submerge all items in cleaning solution. Set the desired cleaning temperature and activate the tank heater. When liquid in tank reaches the set temperature, the heater will turn off. Set ultrasound timer in accordance with requirements of the cleaning process, depending on the type and degree of soiling on the cleaning item. Once cleaning is complete, wait for liquid to cool down and then carefully remove basket with items. Rinse items with clean water. Drain soiled cleaning liquid from ultrasonic cleaner. Use a soft cloth to wipe the tank.
Cleaning concentrates
ASonic ultrasonic cleaning concentrates have specialized chemical composition which boosts the cleaning process and need to be used according to the special needs of the parts to be cleaned.
ASonic ultrasonic cleaning concentrates are designed not only for professional/industrial use, but hobbyist use as well.
| Cleaner | Type of impurity | Cleaning material | Dilution % | Recommended temp. |
| AS-MLP | Oil, grease, dust, general impurities | Metals, alloys, plastics, rubber, ceramic or glass components | 2% | 40-60°C |
| AS-GEN | Oil, grease, dust, general impurities | Metals, alloys, plastics, rubber, ceramic or glass components | 5% | 40-60°C |
| AS-CARB | Carbon, grease and general impurities | Carbon and engine parts from brass, aluminium and sensitive materials | 10% | 50-60°C |
| AS-OXI | Oxidation, general impurities, carbon and grease | Iron, copper, tin, aluminium and stainless steel | 10% | 40-60°C |
| AS-SENS | Oil, fats, lubricants, grease in general impurities | Brass, aluminium, tin and different alloys | 10% | 50-60°C |
