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what is "hot-tanking"

bxj

NAXJA Forum User
Location
kansas
Need to clean some dirty and nasty castings and machine parts and was looking for information about "hot-tanking" and what the process consists of-Also what and where are these places at-TIA
 
Any automotive machine shop should be able to do it for you.

There are, really, two ways to get these things nice and clean (using solvent.)

1) The solvent is maintained at just below its boiling point, and the part is immersed for a period of time. The solvent is anywhere from very mildly to highly caustic, and will chew the grease apart to get it off.

2) The part is set in a cleaner on a turntable, and there is a nozzle carriage that turns one way while the turntable turns back and forth. This is commonly called "steam cleaning," and has become more common in the days of the EPA and OSHA (the solution is nearly not caustic - just an organic solvent that attacks the carbon bonds that hold the grease together as grease. The block, part, or whatever is put in the cleaner for a time, and the blown clean with clean water (usually hot) and oiled.

Both processes require that the part be oiled after the water evapourates, since the part will have NO oil coating it to prevent rust.

Another way (not really usable with aluminum parts, tho) is the oven - no solvent is used, but the part is put into an oven to about 1500*F for a couple of hours, the grease is made brittle (or just ash,) and mild soap and water will usually suffice for cleaning the part off. Use HOT water for the rinse, and oil immediately after the part dries.

Check your phone book for "Automotive Machine Shops" for potential places - a phone call will usually suffice afterwards. As I'd said, most shops will do the steam cleaner instead - because the solvent used is far less hazardous, and it's easier to get OSHA/EPA permits for steam cleaners than for hot tanks.
 
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