Cleaning Techniques Used for Die Casting Dies

This booklet summarizes the findings of a NADCA-funded project to systematically collect information about the various techniques used by North American die casters for the cleaning of die casting dies.

All the techniques reported by the various organizations can be classified within the following four areas:

Abrasive techniques
Chemical cleaning
Mechanical processes
Water-based techniques

Within these four general areas, 14 different techniques are listed, and the percentage of the total organizations surveyed that use each technique is tabulated.

Additional information about each of the techniques is also presented.

	Page
Executive Summary	3
1. Introduction	7
2. Scope	9
3. Summary of Techniques	11
4. Abrasive Cleaning	13
4.1 Bead Blasting	13
4.2 Dry Ice Blasting	14
4.3 Soda Blasting	15
5. Chemical Cleaning	17
5.1 Sodium Hydroxide (Alkalis)	17
5.2 Acids	17
5.3 Organic Solvents	18
5.4 Dip Tanks	18
6. Mechanical Techniques	19
6.1 Putty knives/Scrapers	19
6.2 Brass Tools	19
6.3 Steel Chisels	19
6.4 Stoning & Draw Polishing	19
6.5 Wire Brushes & Wheels	19
6.6 Pneumatic Needle Scalers	20
7. Water-Based Cleaning	21
7.1 Washing & Steam Cleaning	21
8. Other Cleaning	23
8.1 Cleaning Water Cooling Lines	23
8.2 Shot Sleeve Cleaning	23
8.3 Cleaning Vents	23
9. Acknowledgements	25