What effect does a degreaser have on metal surfaces?

Degreasing agents have the following effects on metal surfaces:

Cleansing effect

Degreasing agents can effectively remove oil, grease and other organic pollutants on metal surfaces. Through emulsification, dispersion, dissolution and other mechanisms, the oil is decomposed and peeled off from the metal surface, making the metal surface clean to a high degree, providing a good foundation for subsequent processing, painting, electroplating and other processes.

Protective effect

Some degreasing agents contain ingredients such as corrosion inhibitors, which can form a thin protective film on the metal surface during degreasing. This can prevent the metal from corroding during the degreasing process and subsequent short-term storage or processing, and play a certain protective role for the metal.

Possible negative effects

Corrosion problem: If the degreaser is improperly formulated or used under inappropriate conditions, it may corrode certain metals. For example, some acidic degreasers may corrode active metals such as aluminum and zinc; alkaline degreasers may cause alkali embrittlement on the steel surface if the concentration is too high or the treatment time is too long.

Surface roughness changes: Excessive use of degreasers or the use of strong degreasers may change the roughness of the metal surface. On the one hand, after removing the oil stains, the microscopic concave and convex structures originally covered by the oil stains may be exposed, making the surface roughness appear to have increased; on the other hand, if the degreaser has a slight corrosive effect on the metal surface, it may also cause the surface roughness to change, which may affect some parts that require high surface accuracy.

Residue problem: If the cleaning is not thorough after degreasing, the degreaser may remain on the metal surface. The residual degreaser may affect the adhesion of the subsequent coating to the metal surface, causing the coating to fall off easily; it may also form spots or stains on the metal surface, affecting the appearance and corrosion resistance of the metal.

In order to reduce the adverse effects of degreasing agents on metal surfaces, it is necessary to select appropriate degreasing agents according to the type of metal and surface condition, and strictly follow the instructions for use, including controlling the concentration, temperature, processing time of the degreasing agent and ensuring adequate cleaning.