ASTM G131-96(2002)

Standard Practice for Cleaning of Materials and Components by Ultrasonic Techniques

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice is suitable for the removal of contaminants found on materials, parts, and components used in systems requiring a high level of cleanliness, such as oxygen. Parts shall have been precleaned to remove visible contaminants prior to using this procedure. Softgoods such as seals and valve seats may be cleaned without precleaning.
This procedure may also be used as the cleanliness verification technique for coupons used during cleaning effectiveness tests as in Test Method G 122.
The cleaning efficiency has been shown to vary with the frequency and power density of the ultrasonic unit. Low frequencies in the 20 to 25 kilohertz range have been found to damage soft metals such as aluminum and silver. Therefore, the specifications of the unit and the frequencies available must be considered in order to optimize the cleaning conditions without damaging the parts.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the cleaning of materials and components used in systems requiring a high level of cleanliness, such as oxygen, by ultrasonic techniques.
1.2 This practice may be used for cleaning small parts, components, softgoods, etc.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Note 1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-1996
• ICS: 03.080.10 - Maintenance services. Facilities management
• Technical Committee: G04 - Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
• Drafting Committee: G04.02 - Recommended Practices

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM G131-96 - Standard Practice for Cleaning of Materials and Components by Ultrasonic Techniques
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Replaced By: ASTM G131-96(2008) - Standard Practice for Cleaning of Materials and Components by Ultrasonic Techniques
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2008
• Referred By: ASTM F2459-18 - Standard Test Method for Extracting Residue from Metallic Medical Components and Quantifying via Gravimetric Analysis
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F2847-17 - Standard Practice for Reporting and Assessment of Residues on Single-Use Implants and Single-Use Sterile Instruments
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM G126-16(2023) - Standard Terminology Relating to the Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F3335-20 - Standard Guide for Assessing the Removal of Additive Manufacturing Residues in Medical Devices Fabricated by Powder Bed Fusion
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM F3127-22 - Standard Guide for Validating Cleaning Processes Used During the Manufacture of Medical Devices
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM G144-01(2022) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Residual Contamination of Materials and Components by Total Carbon Analysis Using a High Temperature Combustion Analyzer
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996
• Referred By: ASTM G93/G93M-19 - Standard Guide for Cleanliness Levels and Cleaning Methods for Materials and Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched Environments
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-1996

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:G131–96 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Practice for
Cleaning of Materials and Components by Ultrasonic
Techniques
This standard is issued under the fixed designation G 131; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice covers a procedure for the cleaning of 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
materials and components used in systems requiring a high 3.1.1 contaminant (contamination), n—unwantedmolecular
level of cleanliness, such as oxygen, by ultrasonic techniques. and particulate matter that could affect or degrade the perfor-
1.2 This practice may be used for cleaning small parts, mance of the components upon which they reside.
components, softgoods, etc. 3.1.2 contaminate, v—a process of applying a contaminant.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are standard. 3.1.3 control coupon (witness coupon), n—a coupon made
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the from the same material and prepared in exactly the same way
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the as the test coupons, which is used to verify the validity of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- method or part thereof.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.1.3.1 Discussion—Inthispractice,thecontrolcouponwill
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau- be contaminated in the same manner as the test coupons and
tionary statements are given in Note 1. will be subjected to the identical cleaning procedure.
3.1.4 degas, v—the process of removing gases from a
2. Referenced Documents
liquid.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.1.5 nonvolatile residue (NVR), n—residual molecular and
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
particulate matter remaining following the filtration and con-
E 1235 Practices for Gravimetric Determination of Non- trolled evaporation of a solvent containing contaminants.
volatile Residue (NVR) in Environmentally Controlled
3.1.6 particle (particulate contaminant), n—a piece of mat-
Areas for Spacecraft
terinasolidstatewithobservablelength,width,andthickness.
F 311 PracticeforProcessingAerospaceLiquidSamplesfor 3.1.6.1 Discussion—The size of a particle is usually defined
Particulate Contamination Analysis Using Membrane Fil-
by its greatest dimension and is specified in micrometres.
ters
4. Summary of Practice
F 324 Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Volatile
Cleaning Solvents Using the Solvent Purity Meter 4.1 A part, material or component is placed in a container
F 331 Test Method for Nonvolatile Residue of Halogenated containing the cleaning agent. This container is then placed in
Solvent Extract from Aerospace Components (Using Ro- an ultrasonic cleaner and treated for a given period of time at
tary Flash Evaporator) the recommended temperature for the cleaning agent. This
G 121 Practice for the Preparation of Contaminated Cou- results in a solution if the contaminant is soluble in the test
pons for the Evaluation of Cleaning Agents fluid or a emulsion if the contaminant is not soluble in the test
G 122 Test Method to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Clean- fluid. The cleaning solution combined with the rinse solutions
ing Agents may then be analyzed for particulate, NVR, or total carbon
(TC).
4.1.1 In the case of aqueous based agents, the parts are
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee G4 on Compat-
rinsed after the removal from the cleaning bath and ultrasoni-
ibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres and is the
direct responsibility of Subcommittee G04.02 on Recommended Practices.
cally cleaned in reagent water to provide a solution for TC
Current edition approved March 10, 1996. Published August 1996. Originally
analysis using G TC.
published as G 131 – 95. Last previous edition G 131 – 95.
2 4.1.2 Inthecaseofsolventbasedagents,thepartsarerinsed
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.03. with fresh solvent, which is collected and combined with the
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 10.05.
solvent used in the cleaning process, and the NVR determined
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
G131–96 (2002)
using Practice E 1235, Test Method F 324, or Test Method such specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
F 331, as appropriate. provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
4.1.3 Particulate analyses may be performed by filtering the
the determination. Detergents used shall be identified by
final cleaning solution. The particles captured by the filter are
manufacturer and name (registered trademark, if any).
then counted using Test Method F 311.
7.3 Purity of Water—The water used shall meet the require-
ments of Specification D 1193, Type II.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This practice is suitable for the removal of contaminants 8. Procedure
found on materials, parts, and components used in systems
8.1 Sample Preparation:
requiring a high level of cleanliness, such as oxygen. Parts
8.1.1 Ifcleanlinessverificationistobeperformedoncontrol
shall have been precleaned to remove visible contaminants
or test coupons, prepare the coupons in accordance with
priortousingthisprocedure.Softgoodssuchassealsandvalve
Practice G 121.
seats may be cleaned without precleaning.
8.1.2 If cleanliness verification is to be performed on small
5.2 This procedure may also be used as the cleanliness
parts, measure the total surface area (S) in square centimetres
verification technique for coupons used during cleaning effec-
orthemassingrams,orboth,asapplicable,tothenearesttenth
tiveness tests as in Test Method G 122.
of a milligram (M1). Record the surface area (S) and mass
(M1).
5.3 The cleaning efficiency has been shown to vary with the
8.2 Preliminary Procedure:
frequency and power density of the ultrasonic unit. Low
8.2.1 If a cleaning agent is being used that requires dilution
frequencies in the 20 to 25 kilohertz range have been found to
or special preparation, carefully follow the manufacturer’s
damagesoftmetalssuchasaluminumandsilver.Therefore,the
instructions. UseType II water to prepare the aqueous cleaning
specifications of the unit and the frequencies available must be
agent solutions or as the actual cleaning agent.
consideredinordertooptimizethecleaningconditionswithout
damaging the parts.
NOTE 3—It has been found that many common hydrocarbon based
lubricants are effectively removed to acceptable levels usingType II water
6. Apparatus at 50 to 55°C. More difficult to remove contaminants, such as fluorinated
or silicone based lubricants, have typically been found to require the use
6.1 Ultrasonic Cleaner, with an operating frequency range
of surface active agents. Use Practice G 122 to evaluate the cleaning
between 25 and 90 kHz, a typical power range between 10 and
effectiveness of the proposed cleaning agent.
25 W/L, and a temperature controlled bath capable of main-
8.2.2 Fill the ultrasonic bath to the level specified by the
taining a temperature between ambient and 70°C with an
manufacturer with water. Place the support bracket in the
accuracy of 2°C.
ultrasonic bath, heat the ultrasonic bath to the desired tempera-
6.2 Parts Pans, stainless steel container with volumes
ture, and degas the water for 10 min.
between 1 and 4 L.
8.2.3 Clean the stainless steel sample parts pan to be used.
6.3 Bracket, stainless steel device capable of supporting the
Conduct the sampling procedure using the selected cleaning
parts pans in the ultrasonic bath.
agent without parts to verify the cleanliness of the parts pan.
Use the same sampling and analysis procedures that will be
NOTE 1—The bracket should be designed to hang in the ultrasonic bath
used on the actual parts. Determine the contamination level of
without contact with the bottom.
the parts pan, the blank value (B), which shall be less than the
allowable contamination level for the items being cleaned or
7. Reagents
extracted. If the contamination level of the parts pan is greater
7.1 Solvents such as the following may be used: tetrachlo-
than that specified for the parts, reclean the parts pan until the
roethylene (perchloroethylene), trichloroethylene, methylene
contamination level is less than the allowable contamination
chloride, and perfluorinated carbon fluids.
specified for the parts.
8.3 Cleaning Procedure:
NOTE 2—Warning: Solvents such as tetrachloroethylene (perchloroet-
hylene), trichloroethylene, and methylene chloride have relative low 8.3.1 Place the material or part(s) being cleaned in the
threshold limit values and the user should refer to appropriate safe
stainless steel parts pan.
handling procedures, particularly in open tanks. Many solvents are not
8.3.2 Pour a measured amount of the cleaning agent into the
considered to be compatible with oxygen and must be completely
stainless steel cleaning pan sufficient to cover the parts. Cover
removed from cleaned components prior to the use of these components
in oxygen systems. The preferred method of removal shall be determined
by the user.
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
7.2 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where MD.
G131–96 (2002)
the parts pan with aluminum foil or a stainless steel lid, place 8.5 Sampling procedure for aqueous cleaned materials and
the parts pan in the bracket in the ultrasonic bath, adjust the parts.
water level in the bath such that it is above the cleaning agent 8.5.1 Remove the parts pan from the ultrasonic bath and
level in the parts pan, and allow the cleaning agent and bath remove the cover. Swirl the parts pan to mix the Type II water.
temperature to equilibrate to the desired cleaning temperature.
8.5.2 After swirling, quickly decant the Type II water from
Alternatively, preheat the parts pan and cleaning agent prior to the parts pan.
the placement of the materials or parts into the parts pan. Then
8.5.3 Wash the parts pan and parts with 500 mL of Type II
cover the parts pan with foil and place into the bracket in the water in three roughly equal portions and combine with the
bath and allow the cleaning agent to equilibrate to the
Type II water from 8.5.2.
temperature of the bath.
8.5.4 Use the combined volumes of water from 8.5.3 to
8.3.2.1 Cleaning agent to parts surface area ratio shall not
determine the TC of the sample using G TC.
2 2
exceed 1000 mL/0.1 m ; the preferred ratio is 500 mL/0.1 m .
8.3.3 Clean the parts in the ultrasonic bath for 10 min. If an
9. Report
aqueous detergent or surfactant solution was used for cleaning,
9.1 Report the following information:
thoroughly rinse the parts with Type II water and then perform
9.1.1 Identification of the part or material being cleaned
the ultrasonic procedure with fresh Type II water. Perform the
(including tradename, part number, serial number, proper
sampling procedure as soon as possible within a maximum
chemical name,ASTM designation, lot number, batch number,
time limit of 120 min after turning off the ultrasonic cleaner.
and manufacturer),
8.4 Sampling Procedure for Solvent Cleaned Parts:
9.1.2 Cleaning reagent,
8.4.1 Remove the parts pan from the ultrasonic bath and
9.1.3 Cleaning time,
remove the cover. Swirl the parts pan to mix the solvent.
9.1.4 Cleaning temperature,
8.4.2 After swirling, quickly decant the solvent from the
9.1.5 Frequency of the ultrasonic bath, kHz,
parts pan.
9.1.6 Power density of the ultrasonic cleaner, W/L,
8.4.3 Wash the parts pan and parts with 500 mL of fresh
9.1.7 Volume of cleaning reagent used,
solvent in three roughly equal portions and combine with the
9.1.8 Mass (M1) of parts cleaned, g, and
solvent decanted from 8.4.2. Determine the particulate con-
9.1.9 Surface area, cm , and
tamination analysis using Practice F 311. Use the filtrate from
9.1.10 Mass (M2) of thr NVR, g.
the particulate analysis as the sample for NVR analysis.
8.4.4 Determineandrecordthemass(M )ofthenonvolatile
10. Keywords
residue in milligrams to the nearest tenth of a milligram using
Practice E 1235,Test Methods F 324, or F 331. Ensure that the 10.1 cleaning; contamination; contaminant; nonvolatile
reported NVR is adjusted to subtract the NVR of an equivalent residue; NVR; oxygen systems; TC; total carbon; ultrasonic
cleaning
volume of “blank” solvent.
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. SELECTION OF ULTRASONIC BATHS
X1.1 Introduction—This appendix describes technical in- X1.2.1.2 Shape—length, width and depth.
formation useful in the selection of ultrasonic baths for
X1.2.1.3 Internal Features—heaters, agitators, linings, sub-
aqueous extraction and cleaning applications. The following
mersible pumps, etc.
information was graciously provided by Blackstone Ultrason-
X1.2.1.4 Cleaning Zone—parts placement and racking.
ics and is reprinted here with their permission.
X1.2.2 The Parts Being Cleaned:
X1.2.2.1 Size—physical dimensions.
X1.2 Designinganimmersibleultrasonictransducersystem
X1.2.2.2 Weight—weight/density.
requires that several factors be taken into account. Each case is
X1.2.2.3 Number Per Load or Per Unit of Time—parts per
individual. The following list will give the reader some idea of
rack or basket, parts per hour.
the parameters that should be defined. Later, each will be
considered as to its effect on the design of the system. X1.2.2.4 Complexity—holes, blind holes, internal surfaces,
hems, etc.
X1.2.1 The Tank:
X1.2.2.5 Ratio of Part Surface Area to Part Size—Solid
X1.2.1.1 Volume—cubic measure or gallons.
cube versus typical heat exchanger.
X1.2.3 The Contaminant Being Removed:
X1.2.3.1 Removal Diffıculty—Light oil versus buffing com-
Blackstone Ultrasonics, P.O. Box 220, 9 North Main St., Jamestown, NY
14702-0220. pound.
G1
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