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Acetone/IPA cleaning

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Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by laurae »

Has anyone any experience of working with acetone/IPA for cleaning small components?

Many thanks in advance
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by bernicarey »

Really shouldn't use Initials unless they are readily understood.

Personally, I've never used IPA for cleaning...if someone has taken the time and effort to brew it, I'm going to drink it.
IPA.jpg
But then I suspect that we're talking different IPAs... and you're referring to Isopropyl Alcohol ;)

I've certainly used Isopropyl Alcohol for small degreasing jobs in the workplace over my working life; it's a fairly safe thing to use, it is a major part of many medical wipes, hand sanitisers etc.

I wouldn't use acetone for much as it tends to melt many 'plasticy' items, apart from the bottle it comes in strangle enough!
Isn't acetone used in nail varnish remover?

What's your particular interest/concern?
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by laurae »

Haha unfortunately not the ale

Cleaning small components by hand with acetone is a big role where I work and I'm just wondering if anybody else has experience in it and what, if any, PPE requirements they have. Just generally after an idea of how it's possibly done elsewhere

Many thanks in advance
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by Messy »

I am no expert, but when in the fire service I attended a tragic incident where a young guy in a paper disposable boiler suit was engaged in cleaning tiled walls in an industrial kitchen after a previous fire

He was using acetone to remove the soot. No instruction had been given or assessment carried out.

As he worked, the flammable fumes entered through the paper suit but became trapped in the gap between his skin and plastic inner covering of the suit

Then disaster. Some acetone run down the wall and onto a live electrical socket. A flash fire occured up the wall, and along his sleeve. He literally burst into flames.

He suffered serious burns and lost his arm . So be very careful with PPE and live electrics
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by kevlarion »

Depends how small the small components are.

If you are talking electronics or jewellery, then acetone if fine, don't spray it on, either immerse the parts in the liquid rub the surface of the board with a brush and lift it out, shake off any drops back into the tank and close the lid.

Acetone evaporates at room temperature and it is harmful to inhale the vapours or get it on your skin (dermatitis) so you'll need ventilation (LEV).
Acetone vapour is extremeley flammable with a flashpoint of 21C below zero, so you need to be careful to keep the liquid and the vapours away from sources of heat, sparks (even sparks in the motors and switching gear of LEV), etc. You may need to do a Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres (DSEAR) risk assessment and take some actions as a result if you use acetone, IPA or other highly flammable chemical. You would also be advised to have air monitoring done to measure the concentration in and around the work area it is used.

Acetone is incompatible with some plastics inclusing Polystyrene (often used for plastic containers), and Polycarbonate (eg visors and safety glasses) so if you are using acetone, use an acetate visor for splash protection and containers made of stainless steel, High Density Polythene (HDPE) or glass. Have a safe way of storing waste and safe disposal too. It's Hazardous (Special in Scotland) waste so you'll need to go through the Consignment Note palava to dispose of waste.

There are other degreasers out there, acetone is fast but it is by no means the safest solution to cleaning... for small amounts of cleaning you can often us a monomer or an alchohol based substitute.

Before you invest in a "still" to recycle acetone do a fire risk assessment. It may be easier and better to buy from a supplier who will take waste away and recycle it for you than to have to control the process on site.

IPA (Rubbing Alchohol as it's sometimes referred to) comes in various strengths, and can be diluted with water (distilled water if you are cleaning anything sensitive. I use 99% pure for lab work. The flash point is a bit higher and the rate of evaporation a bit lower so it's a bit safer than acetone.
There are also different versions (molecular structures) of IPA, and I find Propan2ol is more effective and less hazardous that the more common Isopropanol.

If you can find a monomer for the material you are trying to dissolve that will be better because most monomers have high flash points and very low evaporation rates.

If you are removing heavy grease or wax, you might find a soap based product or a propylene carbonate based product is suitable for removing the heaviest contamination then you can follow that up with a quick wash in IPA to remove any residual soap or propylene carbonate. Propylene carbonate is incompatible with ABS plastics causing what looks like stress cracks, but it is an effective degreaser.

There are also some cleaners that use sodium hydroxide (heavily diluted) with surficants, most commonly used in traffic film removes in car washes. The is a high PH indicating that it is corrosively alkaline, so look at the PH value of whatever you decide to use and try to get it as close to 7 as you can, or provide precautions such as gloves and face shields.

Watch out for mixtures which include Xylene or Toluene (or both) because these have very unfortunate side effects even in small exposure values. They do improve cleaning action and are often found in "Standard Thinners" type products.

The basics -
Choose the least hazardous cleaning material you can find (consult an industrial chemist - I'm not one). Consider evaporation pressure, flash point, toxicity, side effects (eg some harm the unborn child or damge fertility), need for extraction, and the PPE you will need to control the hazards.
Keep it in sealed containers in a cool place when not in use.
Keep the amount available in the workplace as low as you can without preventing work being carried out.
Arrange suitable disposal of used product and get the waste out of the workplace quickly. There's no point in limiting product to 250ml bottle of IPA in a room if there is also a 25L waste bucket.

There is a rich repository of information on the Material Safety Data Sheet (sometimes called MSDS or SDS) so you should obtain a copy for any substance you want to try before you get the chemical, then decide if you want to try the chemical. Don't get a load of samples to try and then have to dispose of them as hazardous waste.
If it isn't broken, that doesn't mean you can't improve it. (Do three negatives make a positive ?)
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by laurae »

Thank you for your informative replies!

A bit more detail, the acetone is used for cleaning small components, very small so the dexterity is very important. Latex isn't an option anymore, so currently using nitrile gloves, with a breakdown of about 4 minutes, so not ideal at all but at the minute the only option. I want to encourage glove use but need to find an acceptable option
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by kevlarion »

could you hold the small components in tweezers ?
If it isn't broken, that doesn't mean you can't improve it. (Do three negatives make a positive ?)
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by Rowebin »

kevlarion wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:55 am Depends how small the small components are.

If you are talking electronics or jewellery, then acetone if fine, don't spray it on, either immerse the parts in the liquid rub the surface of the board with a brush and lift it out, shake off any drops back into the tank and close the lid.

Acetone evaporates at room temperature and it is harmful to inhale the vapours or get it on your skin (dermatitis) so you'll need ventilation (LEV).
Acetone vapour is extremeley flammable with a flashpoint of 21C below zero, so you need to be careful to keep the liquid and the vapours away from sources of heat, sparks (even sparks in the motors and switching gear of LEV), etc. You may need to do a Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres (DSEAR) risk assessment and take some actions as a result if you use acetone, IPA or other highly flammable chemical. You would also be advised to have air monitoring done to measure the concentration in and around the work area it is used.

Acetone is incompatible with some plastics inclusing Polystyrene (often used for plastic containers), and Polycarbonate (eg visors and safety glasses) so if you are using acetone, use an acetate visor for splash protection and containers made of stainless steel, High Density Polythene (HDPE) or glass. Have a safe way of storing waste and safe disposal too. It's Hazardous (Special in Scotland) waste so you'll need to go through the Consignment Note palava to dispose of waste.

There are other degreasers out there, acetone is fast but it is by no means the safest solution to cleaning... for small amounts of cleaning you can often us a monomer or an alchohol based substitute.

Before you invest in a "still" to recycle acetone do a fire risk assessment. It may be easier and better to buy from a supplier who will take waste away and recycle it for you than to have to control the process on site.

IPA (Rubbing Alchohol as it's sometimes referred to) comes in various strengths, and can be diluted with water (distilled water if you are cleaning anything sensitive. I use 99% pure for lab work. The flash point is a bit higher and the rate of evaporation a bit lower so it's a bit safer than acetone.
There are also different versions (molecular structures) of IPA, and I find Propan2ol is more effective and less hazardous that the more common Isopropanol.

If you can find a monomer for the material you are trying to dissolve that will be better because most monomers have high flash points and very low evaporation rates.

If you are removing heavy grease or wax, you might find a soap based product or a propylene carbonate based product is suitable for removing the heaviest contamination then you can follow that up with a quick wash in IPA to remove any residual soap or propylene carbonate. Propylene carbonate is incompatible with ABS plastics causing what looks like stress cracks, but it is an effective degreaser.

There are also some cleaners that use sodium hydroxide (heavily diluted) with surficants, most commonly used in traffic film removes in car washes. The is a high PH indicating that it is corrosively alkaline, so look at the PH value of whatever you decide to use and try to get it as close to 7 as you can, or provide precautions such as gloves and face shields.

Watch out for mixtures which include Xylene or Toluene (or both) because these have very unfortunate side effects even in small exposure values. They do improve cleaning action and are often found in "Standard Thinners" type products.

The basics -
Choose the least hazardous cleaning material you can find (consult an industrial chemist - I'm not one). Consider evaporation pressure, flash point, toxicity, side effects (eg some harm the unborn child or damge fertility), need for extraction, and the PPE you will need to control the hazards.
Keep it in sealed containers in a cool place when not in use.
Keep the amount available in the workplace as low as you can without preventing work being carried out.
Arrange suitable disposal of used product and get the waste out of the workplace quickly. There's no point in limiting product to 250ml bottle of IPA in a room if there is also a 25L waste bucket.

There is a rich repository of information on the Material Safety Data Sheet (sometimes called MSDS or SDS) so you should obtain a copy for any substance you want to try before you get the chemical, then decide if you want to try the chemical. Don't get a load of samples to try and then have to dispose of them as hazardous waste.
Great detail.

I really enjoyed this response until you described the MSDS as a rich repository! :lol:

Iv'e been in a similar situation, our guys use hairspray to clean pen and tape off - So I guessed the active ingredient was the alcohol in it, so got some pure alcohol and it doesn't work as well so it's had me a bit stumped.

My issue with MSDS is that it makes every material seem deadly and the need to be overcautious. For example I don't need PPE to use a small dab of superglue once a month, but the MSDS says I should be suited and booted and it's hard to justify not wearing the PPE when the MSDS says all that it does.
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by bernicarey »

I have a similar issue with some MSDS, but then that is why we do a COSHH Assessment, rather than just giving people the MSDS. Incidentally, in some places around the world, such as the USA, that's all that happens, the MSDS is made available.

A classic case from last year, I was reviewing the COSHH assessments of a painting company working on a construction site I was inspecting. The site was a building conversion project, changing warehousing space into student accommodation.

One of the COSHH assessments had significant Fire precautions listed for the water based emulsion paint, including making an extinguisher available.

But its a water based emulsion paint, I'm thinking to myself.....
The MSDS included the fire risk of bulk supplies of this paint, i.e. in a warehouse situation, after the liquid had been burnt off and the solid remains caught fire.
This was not exactly a significant issue for a painter with a couple of cans!
Rowebin wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:46 am So I guessed the active ingredient was the alcohol in it, so got some pure alcohol
But did you get the actual MSDS to see what other ingredients were?
What alcohol did you get compared with that in the spray?
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by laurae »

No the things that are being cleaned are held in the hand, that's why gloves should be worn, finger cots are used by some but not others, as acetone is not a sensitiser it's not a requirement to wear anything really, but as it is used regularly I want to find an option that ensures standardisation, no matter what you're using the acetone on. I've requested some free latex gloves from a different supplier to see if they fair any better.
It's stumped me, my background was automotive so cut resistant gloves were the big one, also sensitsers in the area so easier to control and enforce!
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by Rowebin »

bernicarey wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 1:55 pm I have a similar issue with some MSDS, but then that is why we do a COSHH Assessment, rather than just giving people the MSDS. Incidentally, in some places around the world, such as the USA, that's all that happens, the MSDS is made available.

A classic case from last year, I was reviewing the COSHH assessments of a painting company working on a construction site I was inspecting. The site was a building conversion project, changing warehousing space into student accommodation.

One of the COSHH assessments had significant Fire precautions listed for the water based emulsion paint, including making an extinguisher available.

But its a water based emulsion paint, I'm thinking to myself.....
The MSDS included the fire risk of bulk supplies of this paint, i.e. in a warehouse situation, after the liquid had been burnt off and the solid remains caught fire.
This was not exactly a significant issue for a painter with a couple of cans!
Rowebin wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:46 am So I guessed the active ingredient was the alcohol in it, so got some pure alcohol
But did you get the actual MSDS to see what other ingredients were?
What alcohol did you get compared with that in the spray?
As they are beauty product's no one will give me the MSDS's! On the tin's they just say alcohol, so I tried 4 or 5 different ones, makes me wonder if it's the glue that does part of the job!
laurae wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 4:12 pm No the things that are being cleaned are held in the hand, that's why gloves should be worn, finger cots are used by some but not others, as acetone is not a sensitiser it's not a requirement to wear anything really, but as it is used regularly I want to find an option that ensures standardisation, no matter what you're using the acetone on. I've requested some free latex gloves from a different supplier to see if they fair any better.
It's stumped me, my background was automotive so cut resistant gloves were the big one, also sensitsers in the area so easier to control and enforce!
Could you use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove the need for holding them at all?
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Re: Acetone/IPA cleaning

Post by bernicarey »

Rowebin wrote: Tue Aug 27, 2019 5:29 pm
As they are beauty product's no one will give me the MSDS's! On the tin's they just say alcohol, so I tried 4 or 5 different ones, makes me wonder if it's the glue that does part of the job!
I'm sorry, but that excuse doesn't hold water. It's a product for use by people in a working environment, so it has to have a MSDS available.

Just a quick 30 seconds search finds several available online:
http://msds.fssalons.com/MSDS/Schwarzko ... rspray.pdf
https://www.whatsinproducts.com/files/b ... erosol.pdf
https://www.pg.com/productsafety/msds/b ... 21032).pdf
https://www.msdsdigital.com/aqua-net-ha ... rosol-msds

Although of course, they might not be the most complete documents in the world. ;)
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