【Keywords】: what is aqueous cleaning agent, classification of industrial cleaning agents, selection of aqueous cleaning agents

【Abstract】: Aqueous cleaning agents are industrial cleaning agents that take water as the main medium and remove grease and contaminants with surfactants and auxiliary additives. Compared with solvent‑based cleaning agents, they feature high safety, favorable environmental performance and non‑flammability, making them the mainstream choice for modern precision industrial cleaning.

What is Aqueous Cleaning Agent?

Aqueous cleaning agents (also known as water‑based or water‑soluble cleaning agents) are industrial cleaning agents scientifically compounded with surfactants, corrosion inhibitors and various additives, using water as the diluting medium. Relying on the wetting, emulsifying, dispersing and solubilizing effects of surfactants, they strip contaminants such as cutting oil, processing oil, anti‑rust oil and metal chips from workpiece surfaces and suspend them in the cleaning solution. Workpieces are then cleaned via rinsing and air‑blowing.

Before aqueous cleaning agents were widely adopted, industrial cleaning heavily relied on solvent‑based products such as gasoline, kerosene and trichloroethylene. With stricter environmental regulations and higher safety production requirements, aqueous cleaning agents have become the primary cleaning solution for machining, automotive parts manufacturing and precision manufacturing industries, thanks to their non‑flammable property, low‑VOC emission and easy‑to‑treat waste liquid.

Differences Between Aqueous Cleaning Agents and Solvent‑Based Cleaning Agents

Primary Medium: Aqueous cleaning agents use water; solvent‑based cleaning agents adopt hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols and other substances.

Safety: Aqueous cleaning agents are non‑flammable or low‑flammable with high safety. Most solvent‑based cleaning agents are volatile and flammable, requiring fire and explosion‑proof measures.

Environmental Performance: Aqueous cleaning agents deliver low‑VOC performance with treatable waste liquid. Solvent‑based cleaning agents are highly volatile and may bring environmental compliance risks.

Degreasing Speed: Aqueous cleaning agents have moderate degreasing capacity at ambient temperature, which improves greatly upon heating. Solvent‑based cleaning agents provide fast degreasing.

Applicable Processes: Aqueous cleaning agents fit spraying, immersion and ultrasonic washing processes. Solvent‑based cleaning agents are used for manual wiping and partial automated production lines.

Cost: Aqueous cleaning agents can be diluted for on‑site use with low comprehensive cost. Solvent‑based cleaning agents have high unit price and suffer heavy loss caused by volatilization.

Classification of Aqueous Cleaning Agents

By pH Value

‑ Alkaline aqueous cleaning agents: pH 8‑13, powerful degreasing capacity, the most widely‑used type in industrial cleaning. Weak‑alkaline grades (e.g. CP‑60B, pH 8‑10) are compatible with non‑ferrous metals such as aluminum. Strong‑alkaline variants deliver stronger degreasing performance yet material compatibility shall be carefully evaluated.

‑ Neutral / weakly acidic cleaning agents: For precision workpieces sensitive to pH fluctuations.

‑ Acidic aqueous cleaning agents (e.g. CPAC‑MUHF02): Organic‑acid‑based, specially for rust removal, oxide scale elimination and scale removal.

By Function & Application

‑ General‑purpose degreasing type: e.g. CP‑60B, compatible with multiple metals and common oil contaminants

‑ Material‑specific type: for aluminum alloy (CP‑25LG), cast iron (CP‑600YM), copper & carbon steel (CP‑24T), magnesium alloy (CP‑24LG)

‑ Special‑function type: adhesive‑removal (CP‑26ZH), ultrasonic‑dedicated (CPAL‑FEHF02), ambient‑temperature grade (CPAL‑MULP23), pre‑electron‑beam‑welding cleaning (LE‑2000), oil‑water separation (CP‑88D), bearing‑dedicated (CP‑77B), etc.

Four Core Factors for Product Selection

Workpiece material: Non‑ferrous metals including aluminum and magnesium are sensitive to strong alkalinity; weak‑alkaline or non‑corrosive formulations are preferred. Cast iron and carbon‑steel workpieces shall prioritize anti‑rust grades. Corrosion compatibility shall be verified for copper components.

Cleaning process: Low‑foam formulations for high‑pressure spraying; low‑foam & phosphorus‑free formulas matching cavitation effect for ultrasonic cleaning; foam requirements are relatively lenient for immersion cleaning.

Contaminant type: Alkaline degreasers for oily contaminants such as cutting fluid and drawing oil; acidic cleaners for rust, oxide scale and water scale; adhesive‑removal cleaners for polymer contaminants like paint and sealant.

Temperature & energy consumption: Heating improves degreasing efficiency when heating facilities are available. Ambient‑temperature cleaners (e.g. CPAL‑MULP23) are recommended for energy‑saving purposes.

FAQ

Q: What industries are suitable for aqueous cleaning agents?

A: They are widely applied in machinery manufacturing, automotive parts, engine & transmission production, bearing processing, hardware fabrication, electronics and nearly all metal‑processing & assembly industries, wherever oil contamination removal and surface cleanliness are required.

Q: Can aqueous cleaning agents replace solvent‑based cleaning agents?

A: They are feasible for most degreasing scenarios. When heated to 50‑60 °C, aqueous cleaning agents achieve prominent degreasing performance. Combined with spraying or ultrasonic processes, they can cover most original solvent‑cleaning applications while avoiding flammability hazards and environmental non‑compliance risks.

Q: What grades of aqueous cleaning agents does Dapeng Industrial supply?

A: Publicly‑available series include multi‑purpose CP‑20LCAL, aluminum‑part‑specific CP‑60B, water‑soluble cleaning & rust inhibitor CP‑600T, white‑residue‑resistant CP‑50TH, water‑soluble rust inhibitor PP‑3, pre‑electron‑beam‑welding cleaner LE‑2000, oil‑water separation CP‑88D, bearing‑dedicated CP‑77B, heavy‑duty degreaser SD‑10, aluminum‑alloy‑specific CP‑25LG, cast‑iron‑specific CP‑600YM, magnesium‑alloy‑specific CP‑24LG, adhesive‑removal CP‑26ZH, acidic grade CPAC‑MUHF02, ultrasonic‑dedicated CPAL‑FEHF02, ambient‑temperature grade CPAL‑MULP23, plus separating additive X1.

Q: What is the typical working concentration for aqueous cleaning agents?

A: Most products are recommended at 2%‑5% (CP‑60B: 3%‑10%; CP‑600YM: 2%‑4%; CPAL‑MULP23: 2%‑5%). Always follow the product datasheet and adjust concentration according to workpiece contamination severity.