Whether in our daily lives or in some industrial fields, we often use electroplated metal parts, and with the continuous development of the electroplating industry, people's quality requirements for electroplated products are also increasing. To ensure that the plated metal parts do not show any defects, the cleaning and treatment work before electroplating must be done in place. Because the surface of metal parts that are usually electroplated contains oil, dust, dirt, etc. Some electroplated parts also have an oxide film on their surface, which directly affects the effectiveness of electroplating. Therefore, we need to clean the electroplated parts to meet the requirements of electroplating. Ultrasonic cleaning technology, on the other hand, can effectively remove stains from the surface of electroplated parts and has become increasingly applied in the electroplating industry.

So how does ultrasonic technology clean electroplating parts?
Ultrasound generates a high-frequency oscillation wave with strong penetration and anti dispersion ability, which can shake down small impurities such as oil stains, protrusions, etc. left on the solid surface and dissolve them. At the same time, the tiny bubbles of ultrasound will also explode with high-frequency oscillation, which can break the dirt and achieve cleaning effect.

So how to use an ultrasonic cleaning machine to clean electroplating parts?
Before cleaning, we need to have a basic understanding of the electroplated parts before selecting suitable cleaning solvents and ultrasonic cleaning machines. Usually, there are three types of stains on electroplated parts: polishing paste, oil stains, and oxide film. Cleaning required for different stains

The solvent is also different. Cleaning and polishing paste usually uses water-based solvents. Because polishing paste is usually mixed with paraffin wax, which appears solid at room temperature and is difficult to dissolve in water with a high melting point, it is difficult to remove it with clean water. To clean such parts, we prefer water-based solvents. A water-based solvent can dissolve the lipid compounds in the polishing paste, and due to the high melting point of the polishing paste, the heating temperature of the ultrasonic cleaning machine also needs to be higher, usually around 70 ℃, in order to completely remove stains on the electroplated parts. Generally, choose an ultrasonic cleaning machine with a frequency of 40khz and a power of at least 600W. The size of the tank can be selected based on the size of the parts. Because such stains are usually difficult to clean, the cleaning time can be longer. Oil stains can be cleaned with degreasing or degreasing agents, which are usually easy to clean. The appropriate frequency can be selected based on the shape of the workpiece. If it is a regular object, generally choose low-frequency medium power ultrasonic cleaning equipment, ranging from 28khz to 40khz. If the parts are irregular, porous, or difficult to clean, it is recommended to choose a high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning machine. Place the electroplated parts in the tank of an ultrasonic cleaning machine with a degreasing solvent and clean for 4-5 minutes to meet the electroplating requirements. For metal parts with oxides on the surface, acidic cleaning solvents can be chosen for cleaning. However, it is important to note that cleaning agents should not use strong acids or strong alkalis, as the tank of ultrasonic cleaning machines is usually made of S304 stainless steel. Strong acids or strong alkalis can damage the tank of the cleaning machine.

To ensure better cleaning results, the following points should be noted when using an ultrasonic cleaning machine to clean electroplated parts:
1. Pay attention to the adjustment of ultrasonic power. The size of ultrasonic power directly affects the cleaning effect. Higher power can easily cause damage to parts and loss of additives, while lower power cannot achieve the expected cleaning effect. Therefore, it is best to choose an ultrasonic cleaning machine that can adjust the power. When adjusting the ultrasonic power, caution should be exercised, following the principle of gradually increasing the power, and avoiding unnecessary damage to the parts while ensuring the cleaning effect.

2. Pay attention to the timing of cleaning. Some parts may not meet the requirements of electroplating due to heavy stains and short cleaning time. Therefore, it is necessary to control the cleaning time and repeat the cleaning multiple times until complete cleaning. When determining the cleaning time, it is necessary to evaluate the specific situation and determine the length of the cleaning time to achieve the best cleaning effect.

3. Pay attention to the placement of the parts. The placement of parts directly affects the effectiveness of cleaning. Generally speaking, it is best to separate parts from each other to avoid blocking each other. For larger parts, they can be tilted or suspended. For smaller parts, they can be placed in a matching cleaning basket for cleaning.

Ultrasonic cleaning machines can improve the environmental indicators of the electroplating industry. The use of ultrasonic cleaning machines can reduce the amount of chemicals used, thereby reducing water and air pollution. Meanwhile, due to higher cleaning efficiency, it can also reduce energy consumption and waste generation.

In summary, the application of ultrasonic cleaning machines in the electroplating industry can not only improve product quality and production efficiency, but also reduce costs and improve environmental indicators. Metal surface treatment is an important process in electroplating, and choosing an efficient cleaning equipment is an indispensable part of the electroplating industry.