Comparing Types Of Solvent Degreasers
Written by: Vertec BioSolvents
Keeping your equipment and work surfaces free of oil, grease, and grime is essential, but it's not always easy. For decades, solvent degreasers have played a central role in cleaning industrial spaces, but they also pose safety and environmental challenges. This post will give you a closer look at the different types of solvent degreasers and how to choose the best product for your needs.
What Is Solvent Degreaser?
A solvent degreaser is an industrial cleaning product that removes grease, oil, dirt, and other contaminants on surfaces and equipment. They consist of solvents, such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, and chlorinated solvents, that can dissolve unwanted substances that could cause contamination, an unsafe work environment, or equipment malfunctions. They're popular in a
range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.
What Are the Different Types of Solvent Degreasers
Solvent degreasers fall into three main categories. Each one offers distinct advantages and significant downsides to consider before choosing a solution for your organization.
Chlorinated Solvent Degreasers
Chlorinated solvent degreasers are one of the most popular options in industrial cleaning. Among the two most common are trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), both of which can eliminate oils and other contaminants found on parts and machinery.
Unfortunately, because these solvent degreasers are so powerful, they're also potentially dangerous. Studies have shown that they can increase the risk of cancer and cause other health concerns, including damage to the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and reproductive organs.
In addition to these potential effects, degreasers like TCE and PCE can harm the environment by increasing air pollution and depleting the ozone layer. To reduce the risk of these and other negative outcomes, some companies have opted to replace chlorinated solvent degreasers with alternatives, such as
d-Limonene solvents, which have a smaller environmental impact.
Petroleum-Based Solvent Degreasers
Mineral spirits, kerosene, and other petroleum-based solvent degreasers are generally less expensive than chlorinated solvents. They're similarly effective at dissolving oils and other contaminants but still pose a hazard to human and environmental safety.
Petroleum-based solvent degreasers are flammable, requiring workers to handle them carefully. They also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate into the air during cleaning, causing a strong odor, smog formation, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
Aromatic Solvent Degreasers
Aromatic solvent degreasers, which contain solvents such as toluene and xylene, offer another way to dissolve oils and contaminants. Although they're less hazardous to human health than chlorinated and petroleum-based products, they're flammable and potentially dangerous if not handled properly by workers. During the cleaning process, these degreasers can also irritate the skin and respiratory system.
Other Types of Degreasers
If you're looking for an alternative to solvent-based degreasers, a growing number of options are available. These degreasers can clean machinery, equipment, and surfaces, but often have fewer negative impacts on health and the environment.
Water-Based Degreasers
The primary difference between water-based and solvent-based cleaners is that they're much more environmentally friendly and pose less safety risks. As a result, a growing number of industrial companies have begun using them as an alternative to more traditional solutions.
Formulated with surfactants and emulsifiers, water-based degreasers can break down and remove grease as well as oil in a way that's similar to solvent-based products. They're particularly popular with companies that have concerns about chemical contamination, such as the food and beverage industries.
Specialized Degreasers
Some industries with unique concerns or needs choose specialized degreasers, such as:
- Alkaline
- Enzyme-based
- Acidic
- Oxygenated
These degreasers have special characteristics that make them better suited to certain applications. For example, businesses in the hospitality industry often use enzyme-based degreasers because they cause minimal damage to surfaces when breaking down grease and oil. Acidic degreasers, on the other hand, are usually too potent for this purpose because they consist of much stronger chemicals that can eliminate mineral deposits and rust.
How to Choose the Right Degreaser
When selecting a degreaser for your company, your industry and application should guide your decision. To achieve the best results, you'll need to consider several factors, including:
- The contaminant you need to remove: Find a solvent that will quickly and thoroughly remove the contaminants that you most frequently need to remove. For instance, chlorinated solvents are typically more effective at removing grease and oil, while petroleum solvents work better at dissolving paint and rust.
- The surface material: Some solvents are too harsh for certain surface types and could damage your equipment, parts, or machinery. For example, chlorinated solvents generally aren't safe for use on aluminum and magnesium surfaces.
- Cost and availability: Look for a degreaser that fits into your budget and will be available when you need it. Choosing the right solvent supplier helps ensure that you receive products on time and at a reasonable price.
If you're unsure of which type of degreaser is the best option, an industry expert like those at Vertec can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Safety Tips When Using Solvent Degreasers
No matter what type of degreaser you choose, safety is your top priority. To keep danger levels low, employees should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, goggles, and respirators, along with making sure the work area is well-ventilated. This helps prevent them from breathing in the vapors or suffering from chemical exposure to their skin.
Employees should also never eat, drink, or smoke while using solvent degreasers. When they're finished cleaning, they should follow your procedures and regulatory guidelines to dispose of them safely.
Looking for Quality Degreaser or BioSolvent Products?
When you need a degreaser that can get the job done without hurting your employees or the environment, take a look at our catalog of Vertec BioSolvent products. These low-odor and VOC solutions don't contain any environmentally hazardous ingredients and have high flash points, making fires less likely.
VertecBio Gold is a high-performing solvent that you can also use as a degreaser for parts cleaning. Contact us to request a sample and learn more about this and other products available from our catalog.
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