in process

All of Kluthe’s products are combined within the 5C concept: Cut, Clean, Coat, Conserve and Clear. In this newsletter, we are looking at the second C, the C of Clean.

Clean: customised cleaningKluthe’s Clean products clean and degrease almost every type of metallic, plastic and lacquered surface. Our Clean series of-fer ready-to-use products for every situation and every cleaning method: from water-based cleaners to cold-degreasers using sub-mersion and spray applications through to high-pressure circula-tion techniques.

5C innovationsThe Clean series is part of our unique 5C concept in which all product groups are matched to one another perfectly, including our FAD-free Hakuform cold lubrication agent that is suitable for various processing applications. The Hakupur industrial cleaners have increased cleaning capabilities and if required, can leave a corrosion-resistant layer on the item treated. The cold degreasers from the Haku-5000 series have a mild odour or are completely odourless and can also be completely VOC-free.

We are proud to introduce Decorrodal AL 325, a conversion prod-uct on a basis of trivalent chrome. Decorrodal AL 325 is Qualicoat certified and is an excellent alternative to hexavalent chrome. Kluthe also offers chrome-free alternatives including Decorrodal AL 240 A and Decorrodal AL 230 + AL 270 OR. You can test the products for yourself in our own practical testing facility. The panels or parts can be quality assessed in our salt-spray test fa-cility using acetic acid.

Newsletter for professionals Volume 1 | nr. 1 | November 2014

A new approach to paint stripping

Kluthe in process | November 2014 | 1

K L U T H E U K L I M I T E D

www.kluthe.co.uk

Kluthe’s 5C concept

All of the Kluthe products fulfil strict, often new require-ments and standards. Sometimes, this requires a completely new approach to our area of expertise.

We have been confronted with stricter European regulations that are making it even harder to choose the raw materials for our products. That is why Kluthe is seeking alternatives that not only fulfil the latest legislation and rules but also perfectly connect into the wishes of our customers

Free of methylene-chlorideNot all that long ago, paint strippers made with methylene-chloride or NMP were the standard, and there was good reason for this as both substances have unparalleled solvent properties. Now however, we are aware of the potential risks to both man and the environment. That is why Kluthe’s

Controx series offers excellent alternatives for both hot and cold paint stripping processes, that are free of methylene-chloride and NMP.

Honesty is the best policyOur Controx paint strippers offer a solution for almost all paint and lacquer systems, but to be completely honest, the solvent capacity of methylene-chloride and NMP are hard to equal.

That is why we need a different approach to paint stripping. This applies to the development of new products but also to the paint stripping process itself. Our methylene-chloride and NMP-free alter-natives are good at paint stripping but they don’t work as quickly. This requires a different approach to the working process and perhaps increased patience. I don’t perceive this to be a hindrance, taking a different approach often leads to the very best innovations.

I hope you enjoy reading!Jean Pierre Massee, technical coordinator chemicals

5C - concept

CutMetal processing

CleanClean Degrease Strip paint

CoatPre-treatment Coating

ConserveCorrosion-resistance Protection against micro-organisms

ClearRecycling Water treatment Wastewater treatment

INNOVATIONS

INTERNATIONAL

A train covers miles and miles, day in, day out and in heavy weather and high winds. Good maintenance is of vital importance. That is why every train is regularly dismantled and cleaned piece by piece. In Belgium, this process is carried out using Kluthe’s Hakupur 445.

In the workshop a train can be totally dismantled like a large mo-del, in order to undergo a major service. From wheels to buffers and from bolts to ball-bearings, every part has to be thoroughly cleaned and degreased. This is important because train parts are often incredibly dirty and have to roll smoothly.

Rotary washing machinesIn order to clean and degrease train parts, the servicing work-shop uses Hakupur 445. Hakupur 445 is a mildly alkaline multi-metal cleaner with very strong cleaning capabilities at operat-ing temperature of 35 degrees and above. The product is used in rotary washing machines which are used to clean and rinse the extremely dirty locomotive and wagon parts.

Corrosion-resistant and low-foamingHakupur 445 is a top quality cleaner with excellent properties. The product is mild, biologically stable, has great cleaning prop-erties and can be used for pretty much any type of metal sur-face. Another characteristic is the corrosion-resistant layer that is left behind on the item concerned, but which doesn’t hinder any subsequent processes.

In addition, the product creates very low levels of foam so use of a de-foamer is not required.

2 | Kluthe in process | November 2014 www.kluthe.co.uk

Hakupur 445 – and the train is as good as new

5C - concept

CutMetal processing

CleanClean Degrease Strip paint

CoatPre-treatment Coating

ConserveCorrosion-resistance Protection against micro-organisms

ClearRecycling Water treatment Wastewater treatment

CURRENT

Kluthe in process | November 2014 | 3www.kluthe.co.uk

IN PRACTICE

Paint stripping with Controx

For car damage repair companies and spraying facilities a paint stripper must be effective and fast. Kluthe’s Controx series offers durable solutions that fulfil the strictest safety and environmental norms.

In the Kluthe laboratories, we seek the best solution for every specific paint stripping issue. The different variants from the Controx product group can easily remove most types of paint and lacquer. Controx products are also suitable for multiple-component systems and even the removal of resistant KTL lacquers.

Durable and economic

The Controx series con-tains both cold and hot paint stripping agents. Used organic hot paint

strippers can be regenerated via a process of distillation and brought back up to specification. They can then be reused; this is sustainable, efficient and very economic.

The Controx options• liquid cold paint stripping agents (from 20° C)• pasty methylene-chloride-free types: for large components or

as cleaner in spraying facility• inorganic hot paint stripping agents (up to circa 80° C): for stripping iron and steel• organic hot paint stripping agents (up to circa 120° C): for stripping non-ferrous metals

Clean tubes and profiles with Hakupur

For good paint adhesion, you need a well-cleaned surface. For one manufacturer of metal tubes, Hakupur 446 is the perfect solution. Hakupur 446 is a very effective neutral cleaner and is suitable for almost every type of surface.

As a result of a production move to another location, the manufac-turer changed from solvent-based to water-based paint systems. In order to ensure good paint adhesion, it is important to clean metal thoroughly before the blasting process. Hakupur offers a number of important advantages in this regard.

Corrosion protectionHakupur 446 has great cleaning capabilities and is pH-neutral. The product also provides temporary protection against corro-sion. The clean tubes and profiles therefore remain free of rust film even if they come to a halt in the line. Hakupur 446 is applied in a spray installation and is effective from room temperature upwards. Even at this temperature, the neutral cleaner produces very little foam.

Longstanding timeWith the use of Haku-pur 446, the standing time of the bath is also substantially extended, from around two weeks with the previous pro-

duct, to over eight weeks with Hakupur 446. The product also has excellent de-emulsifying properties, allowing foreign oils and any contamination to be removed with a skimmer.

Cleaning pipes with NikutexWhen changing paint systems, e.g. from a zinc-based to a zinc-free primer, paint pipes are cleaned with another Kluthe product: Nikutex 1837. This is a concentrated cleaning agent for water-based paint systems made on the basis of glycols and with antistatic properties.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Kluthe UK LimitedMidsummer Court314 Midsummer BoulevardMilton KeynesMK9 2UB, ENGLANDT +44 1908 847 449 F +44 1908 847 559E info@kluthe.co.uk

Without the prior written permission of Kluthe UK Limited text and/or photos from this publication may not be copied, changed, reproduced and/or used in any other manner.

Editorial: Ira StempelsEduard van Rooijen

4 | Kluthe in process | November 2014 www.kluthe.co.uk

Kluthe is a worldwide specialist in surface treatments. We offer top quality products and services to companies in the metal and paint processing industry. Would you like to find out how we could help you? Then take a look at www.kluthe.co.uk. You can, of course, also contact us directly:

Haku 5000: aromatic-free cold degreasers and cleaners

The product group Haku 5000 encompasses solvent-based cold degreasers and cleaners for all types of degreasing and cleaning jobs.

Q: What are the advantages of Haku 5000?A: The products in the Haku 5000 series are very powerful

cleaners. They are suitable for degreasing many (heavily) soiled components. The cold degreasers are free of aromatic hydrocarbons and are applied cold. The Haku 5000 series offers two process steps in one: you don’t need to rinse and the components will dry naturally.

Q: When should you use the different degreasers?A: This depends, among other things, on the extent of

contamination of the relevant component. It is also very important that the component is dry. The Haku 5000 series encompasses degreasers with four different speeds of

evaporation: very quick (with specific odour), quick (with mild odour), medium-slow (no odour) and very slow (with mild

odour). The customer’s wishes are of paramount importance and respected. The Haku therefore offers an excellent VOC-free product with excellent cleaning characteristics.

Q: What precautions must be taken?A: This depends on the flashpoint of the relevant Haku 5000

product. If the flashpoint is lower than 43oC, the cleaning and degreasing facility must fulfil the European ATEX guideline for possible explosion hazards. We are also talking about solvent-based products. This means that it is important to equip sinks with a good suction system and that submersion installations can be enclosed with a lid.

Q: Are these cold degreasers also suitable for servicing workshops?A: Yes, certainly. Products from the Haku series are for example

often used for maintaining and cleaning rolling stock from trains, trams and buses. The usage options are very diverse, from servicing electrical motors to cleaning hydraulic cylinders after metal processing.

Sustainable and responsible

Kluthe believes in sustainability. In our sector, it is important to work in a

sustainable and socially responsible manner. That is why we focus on the reuse of

raw materials and energy as much as possible.

We thus work on people, planet and profit on every level.