Product category:
Cleaning media and cleaning systems
News Release from: Enviro Tech Europe | Subject: EnSolv vapour degreasing
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 February 2006
'Trike' sales continue in fast decline
Vapour degreasing without 'trike' - TCA or TCE - is neither an ozone depleter or a carcinogen and has gained Boeing and Airbus approval - TCE users are delighted to have an alternative.
Vapour degreasing without 'trike' - TCA or TCE - is neither an ozone depleter or a carcinogen and has gained Boeing and Airbus approval and TCE users are delighted to have a suitable alternative For anyone vapour degreasing over the past 30 years, the need to change products will have arisen for various reasons
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Entering the 1980s 1.1.1.Trichloroethane (TCA) and Trichloroethylene (TCE) served peoples needs in equal measure.Then, suddenly TCA was lost for environmental reasons.
TCA had an atmospheric lifetime in excess of five years and was considered a risk to the Earths Ozone Layer, so was removed.
Ironically TCE had such a small Ozone Depletion Potential it was zero rated so it seemed a more informed choice.
Further reading
Meeting EU directives on vapour degreasing
Using the EnSolv family of solvents as part of their range has enabled Core-Chem help those using trichloroethylene vapour degreasing, to seek alternatives to meet EU Directives.
Tests show solvent to be the safest
Manufacturter of Ensolv n-Propyl Bromide-based vapour degreasing solvent said that vitro human cell bioassay study is a far more reflective guide than animal testing.
However, evidence in the 1990s went on to prove TCE may cause cancer, leading to eventual classification as R45 - May Cause Cancer, with all its implications.
Inevitably this raised the question: "Which is to be judged worst - a possible ozone depleter or a known carcinogen?" One thing that was never in doubt in the UK was that vapour degreasing is a superior way to clean components.
Faster and cleaner.
Towards the end of the 1990s the Solvent Emissions Directive was being prepared with an inevitable outcome of controlling emissions and reducing product used.
TCE was at the head of the list to feel the bite.
This is clear when you consider that in Western Europe TCE figures dropped from 101,000 tonnes in1996 to 38,000 tonnes in 2003.
That decline increases with the legal requirement to find a suitable alternative to Trike as soon as possible.
Much of what remains lies in industries like aerospace where TCE became part of process specifications and so restricted the opportunity for change.
Since the mid 1990s the product that came to provide the opportunity as the popular alternative to TCE is EnSolv, now a brand leader in its own right.
EnSolv is neither an ozone depleter or a carcinogen and having gained Boeing and Airbus approval on top of critical cleaning performance,TCE users are delighted at last to have a popular and suitable alternative that unties their hands.
EnSolv is available to be transferred into existing equipment.
New machinery design provides user ability to maintain solvent useage as low as 1-2 tonnes per annum and below.
This is welcomed by everyone.
CC Hydrosonics, the UKs leading machine manufacturer reports high sales and recognises that modern engineering and EnSolv together has re-established vapour degreasing as the continued choice of manufacturers. Request a free brochure from Enviro Tech Europe ...
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