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Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

(OP)
I am looking for an "green" method for tumbling/deburr of 6061 Aluminum. Presently, we are using ceramic media and a compound that contains Ethylene Glycol. Waste disposal is becoming an issue. I have tried Dawn Dish Washing Liquid, with the ceramic media and the parts deburred nicely, but there's a film on the metal. Is there an environmentally friendly compound on the market that is being used? I need to find a debur process that is environmentally friendly, that doesn't cause extra work in the cleaning process. The parts then get Anodized.

RE: Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

Does the film from the detergent rinse off with clean hot water?

An alternative to ethylene glycol that is more environmentally friendly is propylene glycol (propylene glycol is used as a food additive/sweetener). There will probably still be some issue with disposal no matter what liquid you use, if the liquid contains dissolved metal ions or metallic particulates.

RE: Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

Tumble Aluminum in green plastic media triangles.
I used warm water and Simple Green as the lubricant and cleaner, 30-90 min. Wash the parts using Palmolive gel soap (a cheap brand could etch your part).
I have used this process, it works well. When I left the company, they switched to another media/cleaner. Not sure what they use now.

Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks 14
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

I was recently looking for info on this. Do a Google search on "cleaning aluminum after tumbling". The first hit has 4 real good threads on Practical Machinist. Simple Green is the cleaner of choice.

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