by David K. on April 22, 2013
When looking at cleaners like swabs and wipes you may notice that some are advertised as absorbent or adsorbent. The change between the “B” and the “D” is not a regional spelling change or a typo, it actually signifies how the material interacts with the substance it is supposed to pick up. The difference between absorbent and adsorbent is subtle, but very necessary to take into account when choosing a swab or wipe.
A material is absorbent when it pulls the substance into itself. For absorbent think of a sponge that can soak up water. The major benefit of absorbent materials is that they can soak up a lot more than their starting volume, and have low vapor release compared to adsorbent materials.
Adsorbent materials only attract the substance onto the surface of the object, coating the adsorbent material in the substance. Common adsorbents are activated carbon in water filters and desiccating silica gels. Because adsorbent materials are coated in the substance it is more efficient to have a lot of small adsorbents than a large one, as that increases the surface area. This is why there are typically a lot of small balls of silica in desiccant packages.
Typically, adsorbent and absorbent materials are used for different situations, so the one you need depends on your intended use. If you just need to soak up liquids, then an absorbent sponge would be appropriate; but if you need to filter that liquid then you would use the adsorbent activated carbon. Overall, adsorbent materials are cheaper than absorbent ones that do the same job, but absorbent materials can pick up more than adsorbent ones. As always, consult the manufacturer of your absorbent or adsorbent materials if you have a specific question on their exact intended use.
by Andy on April 15, 2013
All-Spec Industries is offering an overstock sale on select MicroCare products from now until June 15, 2013. Save up to 33% off MSRP!
Have any questions on this sale? Leave a comment below or call Customer Service at (800) 537-0351 today!
by David K. on April 12, 2013
ESD Mat Cleaners
These cleaners are used to keep your ESD-safe mats free of dirt and grime and keep them working at top performance. Dirt on your ESD-safe mat can effect its dissipative properties, so it is important to use these cleaners to keep your products safe. ESD mat cleaners come in a liquid — often in a spray bottle — for easy application.
Fiber Optic Cleaners
Fiber optic cables need to be very clean for the best transmission, and require specific cleaning chemicals, wipes, and swabs. Fiber optic cleaners are specially formulated to remove fingerprints, light oils, and films and not leave behind any residues that may inhibit data transfer. If you work with fiber optic cables be sure to get the right cleaning materials to ensure you can clean them properly.
General Cleaners
As you would think, general cleaners encompass a wide range of items. Most of the cleaners in this category are used for general disinfecting or cleaning of work areas and floors, but may leave behind a residue making them unsuitable for use on ESD-safe surfaces.
Have any more questions on liquid cleaners? Leave a comment below, or call Customer Service at (800) 537-0351 today!
by David K. on April 1, 2013
Today and next Monday we will be highlighting some of our cleaning chemicals at All-Spec.com, as well as their common uses. This week we are focusing on aerosol sprays, and next we will go into general liquid cleaning chemicals.
Aerosol Dusters
Widely used in both production facilities and homes, aerosol dusters are used for removing large particles from products. The main difference between various dusters is the strength of the spray and the purity of the air.
Typically the strength of the spray is determined by the size of the nozzle opening. If you want more pressure then go for a smaller opening, but if you need to cover a large area then you will want a larger opening.
For some sensitive parts the purity of the air may be a concern. For instance, the Techspray 1671-10 Ultra Pure duster uses a moisture free inert gas to remove particles without any harmful solvents. As always, contact the manufacturer of the aerosol if you have specific questions as to which type of duster is correct for your application.
Contact Cleaners
Contact cleaners are very similar to aerosol dusters, but they include a cleaning agent that typically evaporates after use. When comparing contact cleaners you should look at compatible materials and whether or not they leave a residue.
In general, contact cleaners are used to remove oxidation, corrosion, dirt, and grease on metal surfaces. If you are working with other materials like plastics then you should check your cleaner’s specifications to ensure that it will not harm your product. If your components are especially sensitive, or if you need to have a clear surface after cleaning, then be sure to use a contact cleaner that does not leave a residue behind.
Flux Removers
Flux removers are used exactly how you would think, to remove fluxes from products after soldering. The main thing to look for in flux removers is what flux it can actually remove. Because there are many types of fluxes, each with different residues that are left behind, you need to check the flux remover’s compatibility with your project.
Have any questions on aerosol cleaners? Leave a comment below or call Customer Service at (800) 537-0351 today!
by David K. on November 19, 2012
We carry a variety of solvent dispensers from both Menda and R&R Lotion. They both offer multiple sizes and types of dispensing systems. These dispensers work by creating a vacuum, pulling the solvent up into a reservoir for you to absorb with your wipe or swab.
The two main dispensing lids are a standard pump top and one way pump top. The one-way has a valve that prevents fluid in the reservoir from flowing back into the bottle, contaminating the remaining product in the container. Standard pump tops do not have that valve and allow the solvent to retreat back into the bottle.
These two types of pumps work well for different types of applications. If contamination is an issue, then one-way pump is the way to go. However, the liquid that is pulled into the reservoir cannot go back into the bottle, leaving it at risk of evaporating. If it is ok for solvent to get back in the bottle then the standard pump is better for you, as it reduces evaporation issues.
If you are looking for mobile options that can be locked during travel then you should check out Menda’s Pure-Take and Take-Along pumps. The Pure-Take uses one way pumps, while the Take-Along uses a standard pump. These are perfect for field technicians and others who need to move their dispensers between multiple job sites.
Below are the types of pumps by brand. Have any more questions on these dispensers? Leave a comment below or call Customer Service at (800) 537-0351.
