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Care for Plas-Labs Equipment
Most components in Plas-Labs products consist of "thermoplastics", stainless steel, and aluminum. Like any piece of fine laboratory equipment, care should be taken to avoid dropping, mishandling, and misapplication. To sterilize our chamber we recommend a sterilant disinfectant such as "ABQ" product manufactured by Alcide Corporation 206-882-2555 or "CLIDOX-S" manufactured by Pharmacal Labs, 203-729-5237.
THERMOPLASTIC COMPONENTS
A. CLEANERS
Cleaning thermoplastics is best accomplished with soap or detergent and water solutions. In cases where residues left by these agents is undesirable, special cleaning solvents may be used. Soaps and detergents (except those of the abrasive type) will not harm plastics, but several common solvents will.
In general, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons will attack most plastic surfaces. This applies to all of the plastics used in Plas-Labs products.
Examples of these products include (but are not limited to), acetone, ether, gasoline, lacquer thinner, methyl-ethyl-keytone, methylene chloride, and toluene.
Thermoplastics have a limited resistance to alcohol (all types) but their use is not recommended.
Dilution of alcohol with water will minimize damage, but the exposure time should be kept to a minimum. Prolonged contact of plastics to alcohol will cause the plastic to "craze". (This is a fine cracking close to the exposed surface.) Crazing severely reduces the optical qualities and strength of the plastic.
Some Recommended Cleaners Include:
Brillianize Cleaner, an anti-static liquid cleaner.
Polly-Kleen, an anti-static cleaner for Styrene’s.
Rez-N-Kleen, anti-static cleaner which also removes tape residues.
Mask-Off, a cleaner that removes paper and tape residues.
20/20 Cleaner, an Anti-Static liquid cleaner.
B. POLISHES
While the above cleaning solutions have some polishing capabilities, they will not remove scratches from plastics. This can only be done with automotive type waxes or the finer grades of rubbing and polishing compounds. These products should be specifically for acrylic enamels and lacquer base paint.
C. SCRATCH REMOVERS
Deep scratches should first be sanded with fine grit (400 or finer) wet sandpaper. Steel Wool (OOOO Finest Grade) is also very helpful. Use the polishing materials (rubbing compounds), mentioned above for the final stage.
STAINLESS STEEL COMPONENTS
Stainless Steel is resistant to all solvents and detergents. Polishing can be accomplished by using fine grades of Steel Wool and/or #707 Scotch Brite Pads (3-M Corp.). For the final stage, use a polishing spray like "Stainless Steel Magic."
ALUMINUM COMPONENTS
Again, solvents or detergents may be used for cleaning aluminum. If the aluminum becomes tarnished, it may be rubbed with any of the many commercial polishes available.
Anodized aluminum parts should not be polished, as it will remove the protective coating.
A FINAL WORD OF CAUTION
Thermoplastic materials like acrylic, polystyrene, Noryl, A.B.S., etc., will be attacked by aromated hydrocarbons. Use of them will cause crazing, discoloration, and/or cracking. In some cases joints will separate.
Please try to avoid using the following:
1. Methyl Ethyl Keytone
2. s Chloride
3. Acetone
4. Bleach
5. Ether
In all cases, try to avoid the use of abrasives to clean your equipment.
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