I used hardened steel film applicator to coat epoxy based coating on metal substrates. Due to improper quick cleaning techniques, now there are some left over cured epoxy stains. How do I remove this ? I have tried to clean with acetone by dipping brush in acetone and rubbing the applicator. Right now I have soaked the applicator in vinegar . Am I moving in the right path ? Are there any better ideas ?
Note: I cannot abrade the surface because the gap in the film applicator will change. Only chemical methods are relevant.
Hi,
I have no practical experience, but maybe this is helpful:
https://www.tedpella.com/technote_html/Reworking_Cured_Epoxy.pdf
I would not recommend acids, for corrosion reasons regarding your steel (and I´m doubtful that acids are an effective solvent, but I´m not an organic chemist ;-).
Best regards,
Andreas
you can heat the material to 200 °C to remove epoxy if high temperature is acceptable for you.
Your options are heating (burn it off because the steel is more temperature resistant), oxidation (something like Piranha etch that destroys all organic through oxidation), or mechanical (the epoxy is not as hard as steel and can be removed with steel wool or a file or some other mechanical means). There aren't really any solvents or cleaners to dissolve it.
Burning it off seems the easiest.
Depends what kind of epoxy you have. Some epoxies may be degraded by solvolysis (solvent + maybe heating required) while others don't want to degrade chemically.
Generally, I suggest using coating (release agents) on your steel mould before curing epoxy there. It will help to remove it easier from the mould afterwards
Best Regards,
Andrey
slowly heat to soften and remove mechanically, alternatively burn off
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Chemistry