The detergency mechanism of water-based metal cleaning agents

The washing effect of the water-based metal cleaning agent is achieved by the properties of surfactants such as wetting, penetration, emulsification, dispersion, and solubilization. Specifically: (1) Wetting mechanism. The hydrophobic group of the surfactant in the cleaning agent solution combines with the grease molecules on the metal surface to reduce the surface tension between the oil stain and the metal surface, so that the adhesion between the oil stain and the metal is reduced and removed under the impact of mechanical force and water flow ; (2) penetration mechanism. During the cleaning process, the surfactant diffuses into the dirt through penetration, which further swells, softens and loosens the oil stain, and rolls off and falls off under the action of mechanical force; (3) Emulsification and dispersion mechanism. During the washing process, under the action of mechanical force, the metal surface dirt will be emulsified by the surfactant in the washing liquid, and the dirt will be dispersed and suspended in the aqueous solution under the action of mechanical force or other some ingredients. (4) Solubilization mechanism. When the concentration of the surfactant in the cleaning solution is greater than the critical micelle concentration (CMC), grease and organic matter will be solubilized by varying degrees. (5) Synergistic cleaning effect. In water-based cleaning agents, various additives are usually added. They mainly play a role in complexing or chelating, softening hard water and resisting redeposition in the system.