Removal of Mold Release Compounds from Metal Surfaces Using Ultraviolet Irradiation

摘要

Due to unwanted buildup of mold release agents, which can impart surface defects and interfere in subsequent painting and bonding operations, tool surfaces must be periodically cleaned to ensure acceptable part quality. Cleaning treatments can interrupt production, generate waste products that must meet continually restrictive federal safety guidelines, and incur additional downstream processing steps and their associated costs. We have studied the use of ultraviolet light (UV) to remove mold release compounds. Short duration exposures to UV irradiation resulted in significant reduction of the water contact angle, demonstrating the efficacy of this technology to produce clean surfaces. The short treatment times, less than several minutes, offer the benefits of minimal production down-time and lower treatment costs relative to the handling and storage of caustic cleaners. The results of this study show that UV treatment is an effective, rapid, and environmentally benign technology for the removal of mold release compounds from metal surfaces.