Deburr Compound for 6061 Aluminum

[skoorb1]

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.

 

[btrueblood]

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.

 

[ctopher]

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

 

[BrianE22]

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.