Precision Cleaning
Precision Cleaning Solutions for Critical Manufacturing
Keyvex™ provides solvent and aqueous precision cleaning fluids for removing oils, greases, flux, particles, and manufacturing residues from critical components. Chemistry is selected around the contamination, component materials, cleaning methods and process requirements.
What Precision Cleaning Removes
Common Contaminants
Oils & Cutting Fluids
Machining oils, cutting fluids, coolants and residual metalworking fluids.
Greases & Lubricants
Greases and lubrication residues on bearings, gears, mechanical assemblies and precision components.
Flux & Solder Residues
Flux, soldering residues and process contamination from electronics manufacturing.
Particles & Machining Debris
Metal fines, polishing residues, dust and particulate contamination.
Adhesives & Process Residues
Adhesives, coatings, waxes and other organic process residues.
Light Organic Contamination
Fingerprints, handling residues and other light organic contamination.
Cleaning Methods
Vapor Degreasing
Vapor degreasing uses a volatile cleaning fluid within controlled equipment to remove oils, greases, and process residues from precision components. Depending on the equipment configuration, cleaning may combine vapor exposure, liquid immersion, ultrasonic agitation and solvent rinsing before the component exits dry.
Typical Vapor Degreasing Applications
Precision-machined components | Bearings & Gears | Automotive components | Aerospace components | Optical assemblies | Electronic components
How Vapor Degreasing Works
Vapor Generation
Cleaning fluid is heated within the degreaser to generate a controlled solvent vapor zone.
Component Introduction
Components enter the cleaning chamber and are exposed to the solvent environment.
Condensation Cleaning
Solvent vapor condenses on cooler component surfaces, dissolving and carrying away contamination.
Immersion/Ultrasonic Cleaning
When required, components may undergo liquid immersion, agitation or ultrasonic cleaning for additional contamination removal.
Vapor Rinse & Drying
The final vapor rinse can provide clean solvent contact before the components exit the system dry.
Aqueous Cleaning
Aqueous cleaning uses water-based chemistry together with temperature and mechanical action to remove oils, particles, and process residues. Depending on the application, the process may use spray, immersion, agitation or ultrasonic energy followed by controlled rinsing and drying.
Typical Aqueous Cleaning Applications
Precision-Machined Metal Components | Stamped & Fabricated Parts | Automotive Production Components | Tooling & Fixtures | Selected Electronic Assemblies | High-Volume Production Parts
How Aqueous Cleaning Works
Wash
Components are exposed to the aqueous cleaning chemistry at the required concentration and temperature.
Mechanical Action
Spray pressure, agitation, circulation or ultrasonic energy assist contamination removal.
Rinse
Components are rinsed to remove remaining cleaning chemistry and release contamination.
Dry
Residual water is removed before inspection, assembly, coating, storage or subsequent processing.
Selecting the Right Precision Cleaning Chemistry
How to Choose the Right Solution
Contamination
What needs to be removed?
Substrate & Materials
What materials will contact the cleaning fluid?
Cleaning Method
Vapor degreasing, ultrasonic, immersion, spray or aqueous cleaning?
Process Requirements
What cleanliness, drying, cycle time, compatibility or regulatory requirements must be achieved?
Cleaning chemistry should be selected around the complete manufacturing process rather than solvent strength alone.
Precision Cleaning Chemistry Options
3M™ Novec™ Replacement Solutions
Direct replacement & performance alternatives pathway for manufacturers transitioning from discontinued 3M™ Novec™ fluids
PFAS-Free Cleaning Fluids
Alternative precision cleaning chemistries for manufacturers evaluating PFAS-free process options
Aqueous Cleaning Solutions
Water-based cleaning chemistry for ultrasonic, immersion and spray processes
Let’s Find the Right Cleaning Solution for Your Process
Our technical team can help identify the most suitable Keyvex™ solution based on your cleaning process, contaminants and materials.
