Aluminum Cleaner

[BMccarthy81]

In my shop we're using part holders made out of aluminum, to cut down on weight, that are being used in centerless grinding. There is a slot in the fixture that an A2 plate fits into that the pieces rest on. The plate needs to be extremely flat and flush to the fixture. The amount of grit and dust that builds up under the plate and in the crevices can cause the plate to be offset or off balanced. To remove this grit and build up, we have to sand it off. This is highly inefficient and doesn't remove all of the build up. We cannot place it our ultrasonic bath, the chemicals in it eats aluminum.
I'm looking for a spray-on cleaner or something that i can apply to the fixture to remove the build up and grit. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[unclesyd]

Assuming that the particles are not embedding in the plate.

There are several ways to approach your problem as I see it.
One is to get with your chemical supplier and get a material for the ultrasonic bath that is compatible with Al that will do your other cleaning. This should be no problem unless you have a very, very alkaline cleaner they should have essentially the same formulation inhibited against attack on Al.

As for a spray on cleaner you should try several of the different Al wheel cleaners available at the auto supply stores. One problem with this approach is that you may have trouble getting an MSDS for the material so you can use it an industrial application. You might also talk with your chemical supplier about getting a spray-on Al cleaner that is used for over the road trucks if the quantity is warranted.

If the quantity warrants you could set up a small blast booth with a media that will clean but not be agressive enough to abrade the Al.

Not knowing your exact setup you might also look at some type coating on the components that will inhibit the adherence of the particulate matter. You might try things like aerosol cooking sprays and a silicone. Be careful with the silicones as they can be tough to remove.