A New Method and Composition for Cleaning Metal Surfaces

摘要

A new method and composition for cleaning metal surfaces has been developed. The mixture consisting of a water soluble polymer, preferably polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and a chelating agent can be applied to a rusty metal surface as a thick paste. The outer surface of the paste gradually hardens into an encapsulating film entrapping the cleaning agents inside and in contact with the rust until the surface is clean. After cleaning, the tape-like coating can be easily peeled from the cleaned surface and disposed of as a solid waste. Advantages of the new system include: economical and environmentally safe ingredients; and the ability to clean irregular surfaces and overhead objects found on ships, i.e., high-temperature valves, pipes and the like, without sandblasting or washing procedures. (Author)