Cleaning Heat-Treated Parts
Question: We receive parts that have been heat treated and quenched.
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Question:
We receive parts that have been heat treated and quenched. What is the best way to clean these parts prior to plating? All the methods we have tried have failed. N.H.
Answer:
Sadly, I am not aware of any best way of cleaning these parts after they have been heat-treated. I assume that the parts have oil on the surface, and the oil is not removed prior to the heat treatment process. The end result is that the oil is baked onto the surface and cannot be removed using the usual “wet methods” available in a plating shop.
The best cleaning method is to remove the oil prior to the heat treatment step. If this cannot be done, then the only thing I can suggest is some type of abrasive blasting process. If you are not familiar with this process you can find information at www.pfonline.com/suppliers.html. Names of vendors of equipment and supplies can be found in the 2003 Products Finishing Directory and Technology Guide under Abrasive Blasting Equipment.
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