CASE STUDY:
MRO roller ball part cleaning:
Replace manual cleaning with vapor degreasing

Aerospace MRO company requires comprehensive cleaning of roller balls. Reliance assisted the aerospace company in determining if vapor degreasing could completely clean roller balls of bearing grease using AeroTron AV-5408 solvent and the ULTRA cleaning system.

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The Objective & Challenge:

An Aerospace MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) company asked Reliance to conduct a controlled test cleaning of parts from a disassembled aircraft including roller bearings and various other components of the full assembly formerly in the field. 

Key challenges included:

  • Complete removal of bearing grease from roller bearing

  • Ensure grease between roller balls removed for free movement of the balls.

  • Ensure housing gasket is completely clean and not effected by the solvent or process.

  • Reduce processing time & eliminate need for manual cleaning

Results

  • Objectives Met: Vapor degreasing completely cleaned the roller bearings without effecting the housing gasket.

  • Processing Time: 1 Minute in ultrasonics. AeroTron-AV-5408 solvent achieved consistent and high-quality cleaning results.

  • Key outcomes:

    • Effective removal of bearing grease in 1 minute of processing

    • Grease removed from between rollers

    • Entire housing clean & dry: ready for reassembly

Equipment & Solvent Used:

  • Solvent: The parts were cleaned in AeroTron-AV-5408 which is a Boeing BAC5408 approved
    non-flammable vapor degreasing solvent manufactured by Reliance.  

  • Equipment Utilized: The sample parts were cleaned in a Reliance ULTRA 2012LE Ultrasonic Vapor Degreaser with 1000 watts of ultrasonics and the BHE Automated Basket Handling System.   The ultrasonic immersion chamber in the ULTRA 2012LE is 20"L x 12"W x 12" deep.

Cleaning Process

The cleaning process was designed to ensure comprehensive cleaning with minimal duration:

  • 1 minute immersion dwell in 1000 watts of ultrasonics

  • TOTAL PROCESSING TIME: 1 minute

Process Highlights

  • Ultrasonics enabled penetration into crevices between rollers

  • Refrigeration Zone drying delivered residue-free finishing

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VAPOR DEGREASING
EQUIPMENT USED FOR THE CLEANING:

Reliance ULTRA 2012LE Vapor, Ultrasonic Immersion & Distillate Spray Vapor Degreasing System with Automated Basket Handling. Larger systems are available.
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SOLVENT USED:

AeroTron-AV-5408: BAC 5408 Boeing Approved Solvent.

AeroTron-AV-5408 is specially formulated for metal, plastic and elastomer compatibility in aerospace cleaning and can be used to clean titanium with improved health, safety, regulatory, permitting and environmental benefits.

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RECOMMONDATION:

Incorporate a vapor degreaser into the MRO operations to reduce manual cleaning. Vapor degreasing can be used on a variety of disassembled aircraft parts from wheel hubs, roller bearings, and various other components of the full aircraft.

Utilizing the AeroTron-AV-5408 solvent in combination with an ULTRA 2012LE vapor degreasing system with 1000 watts of ultrasonic power provides optimized cleaning.

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