Compounds 

 

Compounds (soaps, chemicals) are used in tumbling and mass finishing to help with deburring, descaling, burnishing, etc. Some of their functions include; 

 

• Lubricate or wet the mass during burnishing operations.
• Clean parts, and media. 
• Burnish (color, polish) the parts 
• Inhibits the parts.
• Remove offensive odor. 
• Dissolve grease and oil, 
• Kill all forms of bacteria. 
• Act as a cushion to the parts.  
• Prevent rust and corrosion. 

 

They are usually used alongside a tumbling media in order to enhance the tumbling performance and provide the desired results and they can either be in the form of liquid or dry powder. 

 

Compounds are just as important as the tumbling media used during tumbling. They not only keep the parts clean and free-rinsing during the entire tumbling process, but they also keep the media clean and free-cutting. When a compound isn’t used in the tumbling process, the media develops a condition known as “glazing.” Glazing refers to a situation whereby the pores of the media become filled with abrasive, ceramic,  or metallic fines and wear due to the media stops.

 

Types of Compounds. 

 

There are several types of compounds based on their function. They include; 

 

Burnishing Compounds: These compounds are used to brighten, clean, and restore colors during mass finishing processes. They are often used after deburring and abrasive operations. 

 

Cleaning and anti-corrosion compounds: These types of compounds are usually in the form of acids, alkaline, detergents, solvents, or soaps. Their main function is to clean, degrease, and remove oils and other contaminants during mass finishing processes. They also inhibit corrosion in metals and non-metals. 

 

Deburring and finishing compounds: The main function of these compounds is to suspend the small particles that occur during deburring and abrasion to keep them from ruining the workpieces. They also clean and provide protection from corrosion. 

 

Water-based compounds: These types of compounds are used in conjunction with water. This is done to ensure that a consistent water hardness and level of metal ions are maintained. 

 

Bleaching and descaling compounds: These compounds are used to remove scale, rust, and tarnish from ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Also, they are used to bleach and restore the original color of parts that have been processed prior. 

 

The selection of the proper compound is critical, and often is the difference between having success or not. The choice of compound for parts cleaning is equally important. Also depending on the desired results, removing oils, waxes, buffing compounds, or heat scale and smut, for instance, all require different formulas. Ph, foam level, and wetting all need to be considered.

 

At Mikro, we’ll work with you closely and through a series of questions, we can guide you to the correct choices.

 

We currently represent top, high-quality manufacturers like;

 

Brulin

Developing safer and more effective cleaners for parts washing.

 

ViChem

Biodegradable vibratory, tumbling, cleaning, burnishing, and inhibiting –in stock at Mikro.

 

Matchless

Industrial cleaners and specialty chemicals for parts washing, plating, and phosphating.

 

Progress Chemical

Liquid and powder for vibratory finishing, tumble barrels, and parts washers.