What are the uses of degreasers in shipbuilding?

Degreasers play a vital role in shipbuilding. Their application runs through many links of shipbuilding, from material pretreatment to final coating. Shipbuilding is a complex and sophisticated process involving the use of a large number of metal materials, which will inevitably be contaminated with pollutants such as grease, dirt, and oxides during processing and storage. If these pollutants are not thoroughly removed, they will seriously affect the quality of subsequent processes and may even cause safety hazards during the use of the ship. Therefore, the use of degreasers is not only a key step in improving the quality of shipbuilding, but also an important guarantee for ensuring the safety and durability of ships.

1. Material pretreatment

In the shipbuilding process, metal materials (such as steel plates, aluminum plates, copper alloys, etc.) are the main building materials. During the process of leaving the factory, transportation and storage, pollutants such as grease, anti-rust oil, dust, oxides, etc. will adhere to the surface of these materials. These pollutants will directly affect the quality of subsequent welding, painting and assembly processes. Therefore, in the initial stage of shipbuilding, the materials must be thoroughly degreased.

Degreasing agents can effectively remove grease and dirt on the metal surface to ensure the cleanliness of the material surface. Through degreasing treatment, the metal surface can meet the cleanliness standards required for subsequent processes, thereby improving welding quality, coating adhesion and assembly accuracy. For example, during the welding process, if there is grease or dirt on the metal surface, it may cause welding defects such as pores and cracks, which will affect the strength and sealing of the weld.

2. Surface treatment before welding

Welding is one of the core processes in shipbuilding, and the quality of welding is directly related to the structural strength and safety of the hull. Before welding, the metal surface must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure the quality of the welded joint. Degreasing agents play a key role in this process, removing grease, oxides and other contaminants on the surface of the welding area.

Using a degreasing agent to treat the metal surface before welding can not only improve the welding quality, but also reduce the smoke and harmful gases generated during welding, thereby improving the working environment and protecting the health of welders. In addition, the use of a degreasing agent can also extend the service life of welding equipment and reduce equipment failures caused by pollutants.

3. Surface treatment before painting

Painting is a very important part of shipbuilding. The quality of the coating directly affects the ship's anti-corrosion performance, appearance and service life. Before painting, the hull surface must be thoroughly cleaned to ensure that the coating can firmly adhere to the metal surface. Degreasing agents play a vital role in this process, removing grease, dirt and oxides on the hull surface and providing a clean substrate for painting.

If there is grease or other contaminants on the hull surface, the coating may have problems such as insufficient adhesion, blistering, and peeling, which will affect the anti-corrosion performance and aesthetics of the coating. In addition, contaminants may also cause the coating to fail prematurely during the use of the ship, increasing maintenance costs. Therefore, using a degreasing agent for surface treatment before painting is a key step to ensure the quality of the coating.

4. Equipment maintenance and cleaning

In the shipbuilding process, various mechanical equipment (such as cutting machines, welding machines, spraying equipment, etc.) will be contaminated with pollutants such as grease, metal chips, and dust during use. If these pollutants are not removed in time, they may cause equipment performance to decline or even cause failures. Degreasing agents also play an important role in equipment maintenance and cleaning. They can effectively remove grease and dirt on the surface of the equipment and keep the equipment in good operating condition.

In addition, degreasing agents can also be used to clean tools and fixtures used in the manufacturing process to ensure that these tools will not be contaminated during use and affect the quality of the process. For example, during the assembly process, if there is grease on the surface of the fixture, it may cause a decrease in assembly accuracy, thus affecting the overall quality of the hull.

5. Environmental protection and safety considerations

As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, the shipbuilding industry has placed higher demands on the environmental performance of degreasers. Modern degreasers not only excel in decontamination capabilities, but are also optimized in terms of environmental protection and safety. For example, many degreasers use water-based formulas, which reduces the use of organic solvents, thereby reducing harm to the environment and human body.

In addition, the use of degreasing agents can also reduce the amount of water used in the cleaning process, and reduce the difficulty and cost of wastewater treatment. In the shipbuilding process, the rational selection and use of environmentally friendly degreasing agents can not only improve the process quality, but also reduce the impact on the environment, which meets the requirements of sustainable development.

6. Handling of special materials

Shipbuilding not only uses ordinary steel, but also involves some special materials, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, copper alloy, etc. These materials have higher requirements for surface cleanliness during processing, so it is necessary to use a degreasing agent specifically for these materials. For example, an oxide film is easily formed on the surface of aluminum alloy, and a degreasing agent that can effectively remove the oxide film is required to ensure the quality of subsequent processes.

In addition, some special materials have special requirements for the chemical properties of degreasing agents. For example, stainless steel is highly sensitive to chloride ions, so it is necessary to select a degreasing agent that does not contain chloride ions to avoid corrosion on the material surface. In the shipbuilding process, selecting the right degreasing agent for different materials is an important part of ensuring process quality.

7. Improve production efficiency

The use of degreasing agents can not only improve process quality, but also significantly improve production efficiency. By using efficient degreasing agents, cleaning time can be shortened, the complexity of the cleaning process can be reduced, and production progress can be accelerated. In addition, the use of degreasing agents can also reduce rework and scrap rates caused by surface contamination, reducing production costs.

In the shipbuilding process, time is money, and any measure that can improve production efficiency has important economic significance. Therefore, the rational selection and use of degreasing agents can not only improve product quality, but also bring significant economic benefits to the enterprise.

8. Conclusion

Degreasing agents are widely used and important in shipbuilding, from material pretreatment to equipment maintenance, from surface treatment before welding to cleaning before painting, degreasing agents play an irreplaceable role. By using degreasing agents, grease, dirt and oxides on the metal surface can be effectively removed, ensuring the quality of subsequent processes and improving the safety and durability of ships.

In addition, with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the selection and use of environmentally friendly degreasing agents has also become an important trend in the shipbuilding industry. The rational use of degreasing agents can not only improve the process quality, but also reduce the impact on the environment, which meets the requirements of sustainable development. In short, the application of degreasing agents in shipbuilding is a key link to ensure high-quality and efficient production of ships.