In most cases, washing requires a contaminant to be dissolved (as in the case of soluble dirt), removed (as in the case of insoluble dirt) or dissolved and removed (as in the case of insoluble particles held in place by a soluble binding agent such as oil or grease). The mechanical effect of ultrasound energy can be of help in regulating dissolution speed and removing particles. Just as it is beneficial during washing, ultrasound is also beneficial during the rinsing process. Chemical washing residues are removed quickly and completely by the ultrasound rinse.
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When removing a contaminant by means of dissolution, the solvent needs to come into contact with the contaminant and dissolve it. The cleaning activity works only on the interface between washing chemical and contaminant. When the washing chemical dissolves the contaminant, a saturated layer is developed in the interface between the new washing chemical and the contaminant. Once this has happened, the cleaning action comes to an end since the saturated chemical is no longer able to attack the contaminant. The ultrasound cavitation and the implosion effectively remove the saturated layer in order to enable the new chemical to come into contact with the remaining contaminant, thus removing it. This is particularly beneficial when uneven surfaces or internal areas need to be cleaned.
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