Hot Alkaline Parts-Washing and Degreasing Products
ACCA hot alkaline parts-washing and degreasing products are developed to remove oil, grease, machining fluids, carbon deposits and manufacturing residues from metal components in heated automatic washing systems. Different options for iron, steel, cast iron and light alloys provide effective and controlled cleaning in parts washers, tunnel systems, basket washers and high-pressure cleaning equipment.
Components produced during metalworking and machinery manufacturing may carry cutting oils, protective oils, grease, metal dust, chips, polishing compounds and other process residues. These contaminants must be removed before assembly, welding, painting, coating, measurement or quality inspection.
Hot alkaline parts-washing combines the effect of heated water with the chemical action of alkaline cleaners. Heat helps soften oily contamination and release it from the surface, while alkaline components support the breakdown, emulsification and transfer of oils into the washing bath.
In automatic parts-washing systems, cleaning performance must be considered together with foam control, material compatibility and corrosion risk. Uncontrolled foam can reduce the efficiency of pumps, spray nozzles and washing cycles. Inappropriate high alkalinity can cause surface changes on aluminium and other sensitive light alloys.
The ACCA range includes strong alkaline cleaners for heavily contaminated iron, steel and cast-iron components, as well as multi-metal products containing corrosion-inhibiting additives. Liquid and powder options allow the most suitable solution to be selected according to the dosing system and operating conditions of the plant.
Products
WASH SUPER HD 3
A strong alkaline cleaner developed for metal components contaminated with heavy oil, grease and machining residues. Its high cleaning strength makes it suitable for washing dirty components and parts carrying hardened manufacturing deposits.
It is suitable for iron, steel and cast-iron surfaces. Because of its strong alkaline nature, compatibility must be confirmed before use on aluminium, zinc and other sensitive light alloys.
Main characteristics:
- Strong alkaline degreasing action
- Cleans heavily contaminated and encrusted parts
- High performance on oil, grease and machining residues
- Suitable for iron, steel and cast iron
- Suitable for heated industrial washing processes
- Designed for demanding maintenance and production cleaning
METALGLAS LIQUIDO HD 3
A liquid alkaline cleaner developed for degreasing metal components in heated washing systems. It contains corrosion inhibitors and is particularly suitable for heavily contaminated mechanical components manufactured from iron and steel.
Its liquid form simplifies automatic dosing and bath preparation. It can be used in parts washers and tunnel washing systems.
Main characteristics:
- Liquid alkaline metal degreaser
- Contains corrosion inhibitors
- Suitable for iron and steel mechanical parts
- High effectiveness on heavy oil and process contamination
- Suitable for parts-washing machines
- Can be used in automatic tunnel washing systems
- Liquid form suitable for automatic dosing
METALGLAS POLVERE HD 3
A powder alkaline degreaser developed for cleaning iron and steel components in heated washing systems. Like METALGLAS LIQUIDO, it contains corrosion inhibitors and provides high cleaning performance on heavily contaminated mechanical components.
It can be used in parts washers and tunnel systems designed for powder chemicals. The product must be fully dissolved during bath preparation, and the recommended addition sequence should be followed.
Main characteristics:
- Powder alkaline metal degreaser
- Contains corrosion inhibitors
- Suitable for cleaning iron and steel components
- Effective on heavy oils and production residues
- Suitable for parts-washing machines
- Can be used in tunnel washing systems
- Suitable for plants preferring powder chemicals
METALCLEAN HD 186
A controlled-foam, multi-metal alkaline cleaner developed for use on iron, steel and light alloys. Its corrosion-inhibiting additives make it suitable for applications in which different metals are cleaned in the same plant.
It can be used in heated tunnel, basket and other automatic parts-washing systems. Its controlled-foam characteristics support stable operation in spray and circulation systems.
Main characteristics:
- Multi-metal alkaline cleaner
- Suitable for iron, steel and light alloys
- Controlled-foam performance
- Contains corrosion-inhibiting additives
- Suitable for heated automatic systems
- Can be used in tunnel and basket washers
- Suitable for plants processing different metal types
METALCLEAN SPECIALE HD 186
A multi-metal cleaner with a high level of corrosion-inhibiting additives, developed for cleaning iron, steel and light alloys in heated automatic systems.
It is designed for applications where metal compatibility and corrosion control during washing are priorities. It can be used in heated tunnel, basket and similar automatic washing systems.
Its corrosion-inhibiting additives help protect surfaces during washing and short process transitions. Where long-term storage protection is required, a separate corrosion preventive may still be necessary.
Main characteristics:
- High level of corrosion-inhibiting additives
- Suitable for iron, steel and light alloys
- Suitable for multi-metal production environments
- Designed for heated automatic washing systems
- Can be used in tunnel and basket washers
- Supports controlled cleaning of sensitive metal surfaces
- Helps reduce the risk of staining and corrosion during washing
SUPER PRESSURE CLEANER
SUPER PRESSURE CLEANER is a high-pressure parts-washing unit designed for use with water-based cleaners. It allows components to be cleaned manually with a pressurised heated cleaning solution inside an enclosed cabinet.
According to the ACCA catalogue, the unit includes an anti-fog viewing window, safety gloves and internal work-cabinet lighting. Its tank capacity is 90 litres.
The equipment can be considered for maintenance workshops where components with different geometries must be cleaned under operator control and high pressure.
How Hot Alkaline Cleaning Works
Hot alkaline cleaning is based on four effects working together:
1. Chemical Action
Alkaline components help release oil and grease from the surface. Contamination is transferred into the washing bath, allowing the component to be cleaned.
2. Temperature
Heat increases the fluidity of oils and helps soften hardened residues. Excessive temperature, however, may negatively affect foam, energy use and metal compatibility.
3. Mechanical Action
Spray pressure, fluid movement, basket rotation or a high-pressure cleaning gun accelerates the removal of contamination from the surface.
4. Contact Time
The cleaning solution must remain in contact with the contaminated surface for sufficient time. Insufficient time may result in incomplete cleaning, while excessive time may cause surface changes or production losses.
Recommended General Process Sequence
1. Component and Contamination Analysis
The metal type and the amount of oil, grease, carbon, chips and other contamination are identified.
2. Product Selection
WASH SUPER can be considered for heavy contamination on iron, steel and cast iron. METALGLAS LIQUIDO or METALGLAS POLVERE can be selected according to liquid or powder preference. METALCLEAN or METALCLEAN SPECIALE should be considered when light alloys or different metal types are washed together.
3. Bath Preparation
The washing tank is filled with the appropriate quantity of water, and the chemical is added according to the sequence stated in the technical instructions. Agglomeration and splashing should be avoided when adding powder products.
4. Heating and Washing
The bath is heated to the operating temperature specified in the technical data sheet. Components are washed using the appropriate time, pressure and movement conditions.
5. Rinsing
Depending on the requirements of the subsequent process, components are rinsed with clean water. Chemical residues should not remain on surfaces before painting, coating or bonding.
6. Drying and Protection
Components are dried quickly under clean conditions. If long-term protection is required before storage or shipment, a suitable corrosion preventive may be applied.
Main Application Areas
- Industrial parts-washing machines
- Tunnel washing systems
- Basket and rotary-basket parts washers
- High-pressure parts-washing cabinets
- Cleaning machined components
- Engines, transmissions and mechanical components
- Iron, steel and cast-iron parts
- Aluminium and compatible light-alloy components
- Maintenance and refurbishment workshops
- Automotive and component manufacturing
- Machinery and equipment production
- Metal forming and pressing plants
- Cleaning before welding, painting or coating
- Degreasing before assembly and quality inspection
- Mass-production parts cleaning
Key Benefits
- Helps remove oil, grease and machining residues effectively
- Combines the effects of heated water and alkaline chemistry
- Provides powerful cleaning options for heavily contaminated mechanical parts
- Offers different products for iron, steel, cast iron and light alloys
- Corrosion-inhibiting additives help protect surfaces during washing
- Controlled-foam products support efficient automatic-system operation
- Offers liquid and powder alternatives
- Suitable for tunnel, basket and high-pressure washing systems
- Prepares clean surfaces before assembly, painting, coating and inspection
- Supports repeatable cleaning quality in mass production
Product Selection
WASH SUPER HD 3 is suitable for heavy and hardened manufacturing residues on iron, steel and cast-iron components.
METALGLAS LIQUIDO HD 3 can be used when a liquid product is preferred for automatically dosed heated parts-washing systems.
METALGLAS POLVERE HD 3 can be considered for cleaning iron and steel components in plants designed to handle powder chemicals.
METALCLEAN HD 186 is suitable for controlled-foam automatic systems where iron, steel and light alloys are cleaned in the same plant.
METALCLEAN SPECIALE HD 186 can be selected for multi-metal applications where material compatibility and corrosion control are more important.
The following factors should be considered:
- Metal type and alloy
- Chemical nature of the oil, grease and contamination
- Severity and adhesion of the contamination
- Type of washing machine
- Spray pressure and circulation flow
- Operating temperature and washing time
- Foam-control requirements
- Preference for liquid or powder products
- Rinsing and drying facilities
- Subsequent painting, coating, welding or assembly
- Short-term or long-term corrosion-protection requirements
Bath Control and Maintenance
Cleaning performance may decrease as oil, metal dust and other contamination accumulate in the bath. Concentration, pH, temperature, oil load and foam level should be checked regularly.
Free oil on the surface can be removed using a suitable oil skimmer. Regular cleaning of filters, nozzles and tanks helps maintain system performance.
Adding fresh product alone may not restore the performance of a severely contaminated bath. Bath life should be managed according to analytical results and achieved cleaning quality.
Application and Safety Statement
Strong alkaline cleaners can cause serious skin and eye irritation or chemical burns. The latest technical data sheet and safety data sheet must be reviewed before use.
Chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, face protection and suitable protective clothing should be worn. During powder-product preparation, dust inhalation and uncontrolled addition to hot water must be prevented.
Aluminium, zinc and light alloys may be affected by strong alkaline products. Compatibility must be verified using the technical documentation, followed by a controlled trial on actual components.