Number
163-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment
Function
Cleaning agent
Process
Manual maintenance(cleaning and repair) of machinery
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Cleaning of metal parts
Abstract
A machine tool manufacturer substituted chlorinated solvents with modified alcohol. The modified alcohol is used for the cleaning of turned items made of steel, stainless steel, brass, chromium or aluminium in a vacuum degreasing plant.
Substituted substances
Tetrachloroethylene
CAS No. 127-18-4 EC No. 204-825-9 Index No. 602-028-00-4
Chemical group
Halocarbons
Classification: hazard statements
H351 Suspected of causing cancer
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: 2A carcinogen (IARC), endocrine disruptor (SIN List), endocrine disruptor cat. 2 (EU EDC database), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative Substances
1-Butoxypropan-2-ol
CAS No. 5131-66-8 EC No. 225-878-4 Index No. 603-052-00-8
Chemical group
Glycol ethers
Classification: hazard statements
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation
Dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether
CAS No. 111109-77-4 EC No. 404-640-5 Index No.
Chemical group
Alcohols
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
CMR
ecotoxicity
Other type of alternative
A vapour degreasing unit is used in combination with a cleaner containing alternative substances.
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Tetrachloroethylene is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), according to the IARC Monographs. It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substances : DOWCLENE 1601 1-Butoxypropan-2-ol is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).
Description of Substitution
This manufacturing plant makes electric razors, medical thermometers, alarm clocks and turned items for other plants. The turned items are made of steel, stainless steel, brass, chromium or aluminium. They are cleaned in bulk from cutting oils and chips using chlorinated hydrocarbons. The environmental policy of the manufacturing plant has demanded elimination of solvents (especially chlorinated). Tetrachloroethylene is classified as a carcinogenic substance.The company has done some cleaning tests. Then the manufacturer decided to adapt a modified alcohol method. Now the enterprise uses a modified alcohol Dowclene 1601 as substitute for the chlorinated hydrocarbons. For the cleaning is used one chamber alcohol vacuum steam degreaser with vacuum drying. The cleaning parts are heated by condensation of the solvent vapours to boiling temperature of the degreasing solvent, and they dry instantly as they are withdrawn from the vapour zone. In addition, an appliance for continuous removal of oil sludge is used. The cleaning of turned items takes place in four steps: In a first and second cleaning step the agent is heated up to 80 °C and vapour degreasing is used. To support the cleaning ultrasonic and rotation or rocking is used. In the next step is used vapour degreasing as in step 1 but without ultrasonics.In the final cleaning step is used vacuum drying without agent. Oil sludge from the distillation is disposed of via used oil, chips and filter is put to metal recycling.
Case/substitution evaluation
Using of chlorinated organic solvents by cleaning of small turned items can be replaced by a vapour degreasing unit in combination with an modified alcohol method. The product Dowclene 1601 is still irritating for the user and should be substituted in the future.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
2004 in Germany
Availability ofAlternative
on the market
Producer/Provider
Supplier of alternative substance: http://www.dow.com/, SAFECHEM Europe GmbH www.safechem.com/, Supplier of equipment: http://www.pero-ag.de
Type of information supplier
User
Further information
DOWCLENE 1601 http://www.safechem.com/en/metal-cleaning/products-services.html (see Chemical Products)
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021