Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work with Plastics?

Ultrasonic cleaning systems work best on parts with hard surfaces, such as those made of metal. But can it also clean parts made of plastic?

Most plastic parts have comparatively soft surfaces, and many have other characteristics that make them less suitable for ultrasonic cleaning. Parts made of light, soft plastic with simple shapes can often be cleaned better manually. But for parts with complex shapes with openings and dead-end holes, ultrasonic cleaning may still be the best solution.

The success of cleaning plastic parts using ultrasonic cleaners depends on the kind and condition of plastic.

·         Plastic rigidity – If the plastic is soft and flexible (such as low-density polyethylene), the plastic material will flex with the ultrasonic waves and absorb some of the cleaning power, therefore reducing cleaning performance.

·         Plastic density – Low-density plastics may float in the cleaning solution, which leaves some surfaces exposed and not cleaned. A basket is needed to hold them when cleaning such parts.

·         Surface hardens – When parts surfaces are soft, the ultrasonic cleaner has to operate at a higher frequency to reduce cleaning intensity and avoid surface pitting. The reduced cleaning intensity required to clean soft plastic parts makes cleaning time a bit longer than required and reduces cleaning effectiveness.

·         Degree contamination – The reduced cleaning intensity due to the higher ultrasonic frequency means light contamination can be removed quickly. Heavy contamination will take longer.

·         Plastic composition – To speed up ultrasonic cleaning at higher frequencies, the cleaning solution may be heated or added with mild detergents to remove specific contaminants.

Even if some plastic parts are not ideally suited for ultrasonic cleaning, their shape may require an ultrasonic cleaning solution to get the parts completely clean.

For a specific plastic part cleaning application and a corresponding contaminant, the manufacturer of ultrasonic cleaning systems can often design an effective solution. They can determine which frequencies will be the most suitable and effective and can recommend other cleaning agents (such as heating or adding mild solvents) based on their experience.

Kaijo Shibuya is one of the leading ultrasonic cleaner manufacturers and they work closely with customers to ensure their ultrasonic cleaning needs are met. Their complete article, “Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work with Plastics?”, goes into further detail. Call them at 408-675-5575 or send an email to info@kaijo-shibuya.com if you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your ultrasonic cleaning needs.

Why Medical Manufacturers Are Using Ultrasonic Cleaners

New technologies have made medical devices and equipment harder to clean, that’s why medical manufacturers must explore better ways to clean and sterilize them. 

Certain cleaning methods may compromise the functionality of medical devices, and even damage them. High-pressure cleaning and autoclave sterilizing can’t be used for devices with electronics or other temperature-sensitive components. Manual scrubbing may remove heavy contamination but may also scratch fragile optical parts and surfaces with delicate coatings.

Medical manufacturers need effective but gentle and low-temperature cleaning methods that can sterilize as well. And this is where medical ultrasonic cleaners become the better alternative to traditional cleaning methods.

They operate at room temperature and can easily clean medical devices with complex shapes or hard-to-reach areas.

Ultrasonic cleaners work by generating microscopic cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution. The bubbles form and burst in time with the ultrasonic frequency being applied. When they burst, they create tiny, intense jets of liquid that impact the surfaces of the parts to be cleaned and dislodge contaminants.

Since the cavitation bubbles are present wherever the cleaning solution can penetrate, medical ultrasonic cleaners can clean devices with complex shapes, openings, dead-end holes, rough areas, and interior spaces that are normally hard to clean with manual scrubbing. Devices with light contamination can be cleaned as little as ten minutes.

The choice of frequency is a key element for achieving optimal cleaning performance. Low frequency ultrasonic cleaners produce comparatively large cavitation bubbles that deliver an intense cleaning action. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, produce smaller bubbles and cleaning action is gentler. The cleaning intensity of ultrasonic cleaners can be adjusted from robust cleaning for certain devices, such as implants, to gentle cleaning action for delicate instruments. When a disinfectant is added to the cleaning solution, it renders the clean parts sterile.

To achieve a successful ultrasonic cleaning, an experienced ultrasonic cleaner manufacturer can advise customers on the right frequency for their cleaning application while also addressing cleaning tank size and system power. When the medical ultrasonic cleaner is matched correctly to the cleaning application, the cleaning performance is excellent.

Read Kaijo’s complete article, “Why Medical Manufacturers are Using Ultrasonic Cleaners”, for further information. If you have questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your ultrasonic cleaning needs, contact Kaijo by email at info@kaijo-shibuya.com or by calling 408-675-5575.