Alkaline Phosphate Degreaser — ART CLEAN 15
An alkaline phosphate degreaser is a water-based cleaning chemical that removes oils, greases and drawing compounds from metal surfaces before coating. ART CLEAN 15 is a heavy-duty, phosphate-based liquid degreaser manufactured by CHIMI ART in Egypt for steel surface preparation. It is used ahead of enameling, electro-cleaning, galvanizing and phosphating, where a chemically clean, water-break-free surface determines the adhesion and final quality of the coating.
Product Overview
An alkaline phosphate degreaser is a water-based cleaning chemical that removes oils, greases and drawing compounds from metal surfaces before coating. ART CLEAN 15 is a heavy-duty, phosphate-based liquid degreaser manufactured by CHIMI ART in Egypt for steel surface preparation. It is used ahead of enameling, electro-cleaning, galvanizing and phosphating, where a chemically clean, water-break-free surface determines the adhesion and final quality of the coating.
Technical Specifications
- Appearance
- Clear liquid
- Concentration
- Phosphate-based formula
- pH Range
- 11.0-13.0
- Solubility
- Fully miscible with water
- Available Packaging
- 200L drums · 1000L IBC
- Shelf Life
- 12 months
- Storage Conditions
- Cool, dry place
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear liquid |
| Concentration | Phosphate-based formula |
| pH Range | 11.0-13.0 |
| Solubility | Fully miscible with water |
| Available Packaging | 200L drums · 1000L IBC |
| Shelf Life | 12 months |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry place |
Applications
Dosing Guidelines
Make up the bath at 3-10% by volume depending on soil load — the lower end for light oils and spray application, the higher end for heavy drawing compounds in immersion tanks. Operate at 50-80°C, with typical contact times of 5-15 minutes by immersion or shorter cycles under spray. Check the working concentration regularly by simple acid-base titration and top up to maintain cleaning strength; replace the bath when the accumulated oil load starts to degrade rinsing. Confirm surface cleanliness with a water-break test before parts move to the next process stage.
How It Works
Several cleaning mechanisms act together in the bath. Alkaline builders saponify fatty soils, converting animal and vegetable oils into water-soluble soaps. Surfactants lower interfacial tension so the solution fully wets the steel, then lift and emulsify mineral oils that cannot be saponified, holding them dispersed in the bath instead of redepositing them. Phosphates sequester calcium and magnesium from the make-up water, buffer the alkalinity and help prevent removed soil from settling back onto cleaned work. Operating the bath warm lowers oil viscosity and accelerates all of these reactions. The result is a chemically clean, water-break-free steel surface onto which enamel, zinc or phosphate layers can form uniformly and adhere properly.
Usage Tips
Store in closed original drums or IBCs in a cool, dry place; shelf life is 12 months. The product is strongly alkaline (pH 11.0-13.0): wear alkali-resistant gloves, goggles and an apron, and always add the product to water, never water to the concentrated product. Keep it away from acids and from amphoteric metals such as aluminium and zinc, which strong alkalis attack. Rinse cleaned work thoroughly to prevent alkaline carry-over into downstream phosphating or pickling baths. SDS and TDS are supplied with every delivery.
Certifications & Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Which processes is ART CLEAN 15 designed to prepare steel for?
It is used ahead of enameling, electro-cleaning, hot-dip galvanizing and phosphating, where residual oil or grease would cause bare spots, blisters or patchy conversion coatings. One degreaser can serve several pretreatment lines in the same plant.
At what concentration and temperature does ART CLEAN 15 operate?
Typically 3-10% by volume at 50-80°C, applied by immersion or spray. Lighter soils and spray systems use the lower end of both ranges; heavy drawing compounds need stronger, hotter immersion baths.
How do I monitor and maintain the degreasing bath?
Track the working concentration by acid-base titration and top up as it depletes, hold the operating temperature, and skim or remove floating oil. Dump and remake the bath when the emulsified oil load starts to impair rinsing and cleaning performance.
How can I verify that steel is clean enough after degreasing?
Use the water-break test: rinse the part and watch how the water drains. A continuous, unbroken water film indicates a chemically clean surface; beading or breaks reveal residual oil, and the part should be recleaned.
Is ART CLEAN 15 suitable for aluminium or galvanised surfaces?
It is formulated for steel. Strongly alkaline cleaners can etch amphoteric metals such as aluminium and zinc, so do not use it on such surfaces without trials — contact our technical team for guidance on mixed-metal work.
Get a quote for ART CLEAN 15
Tell us your volumes, destination and specs — our export team will price it and come back to you.
We reply within 24 business hours.
WhatsApp us about this product