Citru-Etch Wax Pattern Cleaner, Form : Liquid

Listing ID #5724973

citru-etch ii emulsion is a stable, micro particle, (o/w) oil in water emulsion, formulated for use in investment casting to remove silicone release coating deposits and, with minimum etching, chemically modify wax pattern surfaces to enhance refractory slurry coat adhesion.

citru-etch ii emulsion is formulated to provide both an environmentally responsible and safe method of use. the emulsion is sufficiently stable to function as a uniform cleaner for wax patterns and allows several months shelf life for unopened drums stored under ambient conditions. 

caution: heat destabilizes the citru-etch ii emulsion; drums should be stored inside in an air-conditioned environment, such as the slurry room. in use, citru-etch ii emulsion functions as a typical nonionic detergent to effect removal of silicone deposits from wax pattern surfaces. wax patterns on removal from a citruetch ii emulsion bath tend to retain a "hydrophobic" surface that assures good drainage. the surface, however, is also "oleophilic" and strongly couples to water based baths such as rinse, prewet, or refractory slurry that contains a suitable surfactant level.

instructions for use

citru-etch ii emulsion is formulated for use "as is" in a static bath. the cleaning rate, however, can be enhanced by mechanical agitation. excessive pattern etching is not a problem since silicone deposits are preferentially dissolved, whereas there is little attack on conventional pattern wax.

1. in use, wax pattern assemblies should be immersed in the citru-etch emulsion bath with mild agitation for 10 - 20 seconds, or as required to obtain thorough surface contact. on withdrawal, the wax assemblies should be drained to allow maximum emulsion recovery.

2. the drained wax pattern assemblies should be rinsed by dipping into a flowing water bath, cascade or spray system to remove spent emulsified oil residues so as to leave a "hydrophobic" wax surface; or by dipping into a static water bath containing a proper surfactant level (0.1% - 0.5%) so as to leave a "hydrophilic" wax surface.

3. the cleaned and rinsed pattern assemblies are now ready for shell building and can be prewet or immersed in a prime refractory slurry provided that the prewet and /or slurry contain a proper level of surfactant to form a strong couple with the wax pattern surface.

note: citru-etch ii emulsion is compatible with and will not gel colloidal silica binder when mixed at ratios as high as (1:1). because of this compatibility, step 2 is sometimes omitted. this makes possible the use of citru-etch ii emulsion in manual or large automated lines without rinsing prior to prime coat application. if citru-etch ii emulsion is allowed to air dry on wax surfaces, it forms a thin iridescent layer, resembling a snakeskin or the glaze on a donut. because this film is so thin, the appearance may look irregular; however, this is a normal condition and waxes are clean and ready for prime dipping.