Which Ultrasonic Frequencies Are Used in Automotive Parts Cleaning?

Automotive parts typically have hard surfaces and are comparatively rugged, allowing ultrasonic cleaning to take place at the low-frequency spectrum in an ultrasonic cleaner. Within that lower range, there is still room for optimizing the cleaning performance by matching the automotive ultrasonic cleaner frequency exactly to the automotive parts to be cleaned.

Low frequencies can clean solid, rugged steel parts rapidly and thoroughly. Higher frequencies can clean more delicate parts or parts with special coatings.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by using ultrasonic generators to produce microscopic cavitation bubbles as the ultrasonic sound waves pass through the cleaning solution. The bubbles form in the low-pressure troughs and collapse in high-pressure peaks. As the cavitation bubbles bust, they produce tiny, high-energy jet that impacts the surface of the part being cleaned which dislodges and removes contaminants.

The size of the bubble and the energy of their jets depends on the ultrasonic frequency. Lower frequencies produce larger bubbles and more powerful jets. High frequencies produce smaller bubbles and less energetic jets. The ideal match between the frequency and the parts to be cleaned uses a frequency powerful enough to dislodge dirt, but not too powerful to cause pitting or damage part surfaces, coatings, plating, or small structures.

Typical parts cleaned with automotive ultrasonic cleaners include brake parts, injector nozzles, cylinder heads, carburetor and differential components. In each case the frequency selected depends on the part material and surfaces, the amount of contaminating material and the contaminants' composition.

Kaijo helps customers select the right ultrasonic cleaners from their extensive line of ultrasonic cleaning equipment to achieve effective automotive part cleaning results.

Read the complete article, “Which Ultrasonic Frequencies Are Used in Automotive Parts Cleaning?” for further details on using ultrasonic cleaners for automotive parts cleaning. If you would like to get a free consultation on your cleaning requirements, contact Kaijo Shibuya at 408-675-5575 or email info@kaijo-shibuya.com.