How Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work?
Ultrasonic cleaning involves the use of ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) in water-based detergent to remove contaminants from immersed items.
The basic elements need to do this are:
A stainless steel tank
Ultrasonic transducer rods
Water-based detergent
High voltage power source
The Ultrasonic Cleaning Process
The transducer rods, located in the tank, generate ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) which are transmitted through the water-based detergent.
This causes the formation, and collapse, of millions of tiny micron sized bubbles, which absorb energy during formation, and release it during collapse.
The collapse of a bubble is called "cavitation". The cleaning action in ultrasonics is due to the energy released during the cavitation process.
The cavitation creates a tiny, pressurized water jet. This micron sized jet is tiny but can be have as much as 10,000 PSI in force.
Cleaning time will vary, depending on such things as how much contamination there is on the item to be cleaned, the age of the water-based detergent and the degree of cleanliness desired.
Heating the water usually enhances and speeds up the cleaning process, and most detergent solutions are designed to work best at a slightly elevated temperature.
This combination of temperature, pressure, and detergent enables Hunter Ultrasonics to remove most contaminants safely and easily.