Degreasing Bath
The degreasing bath is a chemical cleaning step where fats, oils, and dirt residues are removed from the workpiece. This is done before dye penetrant testing to ensure the surface is clean.
Physicochemical mechanism of action
In the degreasing bath, a chemical cleaning agent acts on the workpiece. This agent reacts with the fats and oils to form a solution that can be easily rinsed off. Dirt residues are also removed by being washed off the surface.
Metallurgical relevance & risks in welding
Insufficient degreasing can lead to discoloration or smudging. This impairs visual inspection and can negatively affect the welding result due to remaining fats, as they can serve as a source of corrosion.
Workshop practice & instructions
Make sure the workpiece is fully immersed in the degreasing bath. Use a suitable cleaning agent and allow sufficient time for cleaning (usually 5-10 minutes). After the degreasing bath, rinse the workpiece thoroughly and let it dry.