The Importance of Bio Pharmaceutical Chemical Cleaning

Biopharmaceutics refers to the study of medical drugs that have been created utilizing medical biotechnology. This includes nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, bacterial and viral strains, and even proteins such as antibodies. Biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning refers to the procedure involved in creating a controlled and clean environment whereby biopharmaceutical products are manufactured. Most biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning is conducted in a cleanroom – a special area whereby the concentration of transmissible particles is restricted and controlled within specified limits.

By restricting the concentration and amount of airborne particles in the cleanroom, the chances of contamination occurring is severely lessened. Therefore, biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning is incredibly important since it:

●      Prevents the introduction and entry of contaminants into the biopharmaceutical products

●      Establishes a set of quality control (QC) and safety control within FDA’s regulations

●      Prevents the growth of microbes in the biopharmaceutical products

Contamination can be easily introduced into the biopharmaceutical manufacturing line via people, tools, fluids or even the environment itself. Since biopharmaceutics dabbles in the usage of organic and biological substances such as antibodies, DNA, nucleic acids and even proteins, it is important to maintain the purity and original concentration of the established product. By establishing a set of chemical cleaning protocols, the chances of tampering or contamination can be decreased or nullified.

Biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning is also crucial in maintaining a set of control parameters that comply with the FDA’s stringent regulations. Without establishing a proper set of controls, the manufactured products might not only be below sub-par level, but might also be a health hazard towards the general public, especially if the final product is intended to be consumed. Therefore, it is critical that correct and ethical biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning procedures are carried out to meet the FDA’s rigid requirements, for both the safety and overall goodwill and health of the public.

By establishing proper biopharmaceutical chemical cleaning techniques at your workplace, you can also prevent the growth and spread of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Since biological elements are brought into the equation in a biopharmaceutical firm, these very same biological building blocks can also serve as the breeding ground of harmful microorganisms and bacteria, if proper health and safety rules are not undertaken. However, if proper cleaning systems and handling techniques are conducted in a sterile environment, the chances of bacterial growth or virulent strains spreading can be sufficiently curbed and controlled.

Thus, it is incredibly important that proper chemical cleaning is conducted in biopharmaceutical companies and laboratories all across the globe. This is important to curb the growth and spread of bacteria and viruses, prevent contamination or tampering with biopharmaceutical products manufactured off the line and to comply with the requirements put forth by the FDA itself.

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Using Organic Degreasers in the Aerospace Industry

It is a known fact that industrial solvents need to be used daily, especially in the aerospace field. Take note that the removal of oils, asphalt, greases and dirt particles from the machinery is critical. And in order for the aircraft vehicle parts to function properly, they need to be cleaned regularly.

It is not only the passivation of aerospace parts that needs to be done; the areas where they are being fixed and assembled should be maintained as well. The industrial strength degreasers are preferred but unfortunately, there are still many traditional and less costly degreasers that are being used. Note that the ingredients in these traditional degreasers contribute to more pollution. These industrial solvents are often the culprits when talking about land, water, and air pollutants. Fortunately, there are now organic solvents and degreasers available in the market. These innovations can actually reduce, if not eliminate the harmful effects that traditional chemicals have in the environment. 

The latest organic degreasers function just the same as those of the traditional industrial degreasers. The difference is, the former provides much more advantages than the latter. These non-toxic industrial solvents do not give off bad fumes that can pose as a health risk for employees in the aerospace industry. The nature-friendly organic degreasers are biodegradable and can even be diluted using plain tap water. This means that these kind of degreaser is more cost-effective, and this is something that stakeholders in the aerospace industry can take advantage of. Concentrated forms of the organic degreasers are also eco-friendly. Not only are they safe to use but they also only require less amount of fuel.

Sometimes, consumers would believe that the more dangerous the chemicals can be, the more effective they are when used in cleaning, regardless if they are not environment-friendly or non-toxic. But this is not always the case. Studies have already proven that non-toxic and natural cleaners are more effective compared to those cheap and dangerous chemicals.

Within the field of air travel, solvents should be effective and safe for use by the employees. These degreasers should not leave any toxic residue behind especially when passengers are boarding. The company should also comply with the government restrictions in terms of what to use and the ingredients that the industrial solvents must and must not have. Shifting to green cleaning goods does not have to be complicated.

The aerospace industry and airline industry is expected to grow and improve with the latest technological innovations. So, there will be plenty of time to adjust when shifting from industrial degreasers to organic ones. It is just about right to train employees on how to use environment-friendly cleaners.

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Passivation: The best and simplest equipment for protection

Today’s modern world is completely filled with several medical and scientific fields that have numerous areas of study as well as working area to improve the standard of our lives. However, they may differ in terms of their techniques and goals, but most of them have little things in common. Among which, the use of materials and equipment which are made of stainless steel or other metals is the common thread. Such tools, surfaces as well as equipment are needed to be in top condition and good quality in terms of smoothness, cleanliness and chemical non-reactivity. In that case, some special steps must be taken for protection.

In general, the act of creating a stainless steel surface passive in regards of its reactivity to harmful chemicals is called as passivation. By treating the steel in multiple-step method, the stainless steel will be neutral during any experiments or tests when done. This is often when a complete neutral surface is needed. Surfaces that react with a compound can alter the results negatively. This method is completed on cleaning totally and is simple to complete for experienced professionals. This is typically performed as a daily basis.

It is also most important to understand the difference between passivation and electropolishing technique. In some instances the two techniques are identical, however, in the other case, polishing may not completely remove the reactivity of the surface. In such case, a different process is being used and the result is to remove scale, removal of corrosion and prevention of corrosion. It can make the surface much smoother and suitable for various tasks. When used as the part of a multi-step method it may passivate the surface and prepare them for further experiments and tests.

Basically, these techniques are needed for any facility that uses stainless steel or other materials, mainly those that require proper smooth and completely nonreactive surface. For this technique, you will have to hire a professional to handle this method for you in better sense and make the best result for you. Their experience and their professional tools ensure that all of your steel surfaces are in good shape and are ready for any experiment that you need for. Routine maintenance and management of these procedures is absolutely important for many of the facilities and easier to seek out for which you think. 

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Cleaner and Greener

There is a wide variety of cleaners available nowadays. It varies from household to household and can be made of all types of chemical matter while some may be simple home remedies. It has become some sort of a trend to be environment friendly or to use natural or organic materials. This is one way for chemical companies to market their products as well as do their part in ensuring that they do not cause too much damage to the ecology.

Biodegradable is the magic word. Since cleaning agents and different chemicals find their way to the ground or soil, there is a conscious effort to make these cleaners biodegradable in order for them to be used safely and effectively while being able to keep everything clean.

But when it comes to cleaning, many people get discouraged by the thought of scrubbing non-stop just to get rid of a stain or having to get down on one’s knees and rub a surface for a long time just to restore a surface to its original color. 

With the help of science and technology, manufacturers have invented cleaners that are able to remove stains in just a matter of seconds and are just as effective, if not, more than the old kinds of cleaners. Advanced chemical cleaning is one type of cleaning agent that is more commonly used in households and housekeeping services. There are professional grade and commercial grade cleaners, too and these can be made out of household ingredients. 

Floor tiles are a part of the house which require a specific type of cleaner because the most difficult part of cleaning the tiles are in between them where mold and mildew gather. Bathroom tiles are notorious for having the toughest stains to remove. 

Window and glass surfaces also need a special type of cleaner since they should sparkle and have no traces of residue.  

Aside from the chemical cleaners, there have also been specialized tools for cleaning different surfaces. Instead of using rags which can leave tiny fibers or threads, there are specialized cloth materials which can remove dust with just one swipe and leave no threads or fibers. Some brooms and sweepers are also specialized for different surfaces or parts of the house which may be inaccessible or hard to reach. 

When selecting the right chemicals to use for cleaning, it is best to go with those that are strong yet biodegradable and natural. Aside from saving the environment, these are also safer to use around the house. Since the toxins may be inhaled by the people cleaning and living in the house or when they come into contact with skin, it minimizes the possibility of getting skin irritations. 

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World class passivation of military parts- professionalism defined at numero!

The ever-accelerating pace of the aerospace and defense industry can be attributed to the accelerating space race between the USA and USSR to serve the industry better. The span of decades has witnessed a paradigm shift in the business leverages made by these countries. This can be evidenced by rapid advancements in technology and advanced experiments conducted since then. Be it the aspect of pre-planning the activities related to the commissioning of the space launch vehicles, or rather be it the world class maintenance and planned shut downs, a paradigm shift has been witnessed in the field operations.

Assuring the twin benefits of efficiency and effectiveness is one of the key strengths of the world class passivation specialists. They assure in delivering the environmental friendly product. “Go Green way “ has become the present day lingo for the passivation specialists. 

Basically, passivation of military parts has its own share of blues. Most of the companies adhere to the quality standards of the various military services and ensure that a world class service is being delivered to the clients. It needs mentioning that the surface enrichment plays a pivotal role in this regard. Most of the companies offer a wide range of services in this regard. 

There are several ways of passivation of military parts. Of which, one needs to mention the post fabrication process. This is used to remove shop dirt and free iron, along with other metal particles from various stainless steel surfaces. The military parts are cleaned thoroughly first and once they are cleaned, are subject to acid bath treatments. This process will ensure a stunning shine for the parts which look like new. Quite often most of the times, companies use alkaline solutions to remove metallic deposits. 

A world class passivation of military parts can be assured using the passivation specialists. Out of these, one needs to mention the passivation with the citric acid. It is considered as one of the most versatile and safe method. This requires lesser maintenance and is quite simpler to perform. 

It needs mentioning that while selecting an apt procedure for passivation of military parts through the stainless steel, one needs to take account of sterility and environmental integrity. A great deal of walk through is required to be made, as there are many companies which provide a plethora of passivation of stainless steel according to the various military specifications set out, such as the ML-STD-808 A, ML-S-5002D, ML-STD-171F. They establish requirements relating to Air Force Support equipment, weapon parts and wood and metal surfaces.

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Getting the Best Out of Stainless Steel Part - III

Stainless steels cannot be passivated unless the steel surface is clean and free from contamination and scale from welding operations.

 

Nitric acid alone can be used to remove light surface iron contamination after which the acid facilitates the passivation of the cleaned steel surface.

Passivation improves the corrosion resistance properties of components made of precipitation-hardened, austenitic, and martensitic steels. Passivation treatments improve the surface condition of stainless steel by dissolving iron that has been imbedded in the surface during forming or machining. If allowed to remain, the iron can corrode and give the appearance of rust spots on the stainless steel.

Passivation, which consists of immersing stainless steel components in a solution of nitric or citric acid without oxidizing salts, will dissolve the imbedded iron and restore the original corrosion-resistant surface by forming a thin, transparent oxide film.

Features

• Maximum stainless steel corrosion protection without plating.

• Superior clean surface.

• Eliminates iron contamination reactions with other materials.

• No rust discoloration.

• Surface prepared for priming and painting.

Essentially, passivation is the removal of free iron from the surface of the steel. This is performed by immersing the steel in an oxidant, such as nitric acid or citric acid solution. Since the top layer of iron is removed, passivation diminishes surface discoloration. While passivation does not affect the thickness or effectiveness of the passive layer, it is useful in producing a clean surface for a further treatment, such as plating or painting. On the other hand, if the oxidant is incompletely removed from the steel, as sometimes happens in pieces with tight joints or corners, then crevice corrosion may result. Most research indicates that diminishing surface particle corrosion does not reduce susceptibility to pitting corrosion.

Passivation refers to the chemical neutralization of the surface - increasing corrosion resistance.

Almost any stainless steel that you can buy has been rolled, machined and/or manipulated with carbon or tempered steel implements. This means that, in general, all of the stainless steel that you will ever buy off the shelf or re-manufacture will have an appreciable amount of steel worked into its surface. Without Passivation iron or iron oxide exists on the surface of stainless steel. When any machining or fabrication operations are performed, the condition is worsened. Aside from iron being deposited by tooling, it is also being entrapped underneath the “skin” created by the mechanical operation. In the metal industry this surface impregnated steel is referred to as "free iron".

This free iron corrodes easily. The corrosion process of iron is a very aggressive reaction. This reaction will in almost all cases start corrosion in the stainless steel. Once started, the corrosion of the stainless will continue to take place without the presence of free iron.

The term "Passivation" is used widely in the stainless steel processing industry.  Many people refer to this oxide surface as a chrome-nickel oxide.

In lay terms, the passivation process removes "free iron" contamination left behind on the surface of the stainless steel from machining and fabricating. These contaminants are potential corrosion sites that result in premature corrosion and ultimately result in deterioration of the component if not removed. In addition, the passivation process facilitates the formation of a thin, transparent oxide film that protects the stainless steel from selective oxidation (corrosion). So what is passivation? Is it cleaning? Is it a protective coating? It is a combination of both. This process is known as passivation. Visit their website to find out more ASTROPAK.COM

Equipment and precautions. Passivation should only be performed by trained, experienced technicians familiar with the potential hazards associated with the science. Safety practices must be fully understood when handling passivation chemicals. Special boots, gloves, aprons and other safety equipment must be used. Tanks, heaters and ventilation, as well as baskets and racks must be appropriately engineered to perform the process. Iron or steel parts or equipment must never be introduced to the process, or the results can be devastating. Furthermore, in order to comply with EPA requirements, the necessary water and air permits and treatment capabilities must be in place. The days of mom-and-pop shops performing passivation in a stone crock in the back of the shop are gone.

Specifications and verification testing. There are a few generally accepted industry specifications available for reference when choosing a passivation process. They offer time, temperature and concentration information and subsequent testing requirements to validate the effectiveness of the process. Many large corporations have developed internal specifications to control their unique requirements regarding passivation and verification testing. Regardless of the situation, it is usually prudent to reference a proven procedure when requesting passivation. By referencing a specification, you do not have to reinvent the wheel. By taking advantage of the experiences of others, both successes and failures, you can eliminate much of the guesswork that would otherwise accompany a new process.

So how do you get the performance you have paid for from high-dollar stainless steel alloys? It boils down to a basic understanding that the passivation process is both an art and a science, and that machining, fabricating and heat treating practices can substantially affect the corrosion resistance of the component. Passivation will enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steels, but to realize the maximum performance from these high-tech alloys, all parties involved with manufacturing must understand their responsibility in maintaining the integrity of the material throughout the process.

Stainless Steel Maintenance Tools

The Introduction of Stainless Steel Products

A Quick Way To Know How To Choose The Correct Stainless Steel

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Getting the Best Out of Stainless Steel Part - II

Importance of post-fabrication treatments 

Apart from some specialized processes, welds in stainless steel always result in some degree of heat tint. Heat tint is essentially an oxidized surface which has a reduced corrosion resistance compared to the parent material. Therefore, the normal practice is to carry out some form of post weld treatment to improve the corrosion resistance.

Details of these procedures can be found at:

Post Weld Cleaning and Finishing of Stainless Steels

Welding and Post Fabrication Cleaning for Construction and Architectural Applications

Good fabrication practice always includes post weld treatment. Failure to do so can give rise to     unnecessary cost of rectification later on.

Importance of segregating carbon and stainless steel

Sometimes "rusting" of stainless steel turns out to be nothing of the kind. It is the rusting of carbon steel which has contaminated the surface of the stainless steel at some point in the production process. Possible sources of contamination from carbon steel include:

      Tools

      Lifting Gear, Ropes, Chains

      Grinding dust

      Cutting sparks

      Wire brushes

Wherever possible, stainless steel and carbon steel should be fabricated in separate areas of the  workshop or better still in separate workshops. Where not possible it is important to clean down machines used for carbon steel before using them for stainless steel. Stainless steel surfaces should be protected with plastic coatings for as long as possible.Visit their website to find out more ASTROPAK.COM

 Importance of site management

It is quite possible for everything to be done well in fabrication, only for the whole project to be spoiled by inappropriate practices on site. The issues outlined in 3. apply just as much to the site installation as anywhere else in the process.

In addition, it must be remembered that what is appropriate for one building material is unacceptable for another. For stainless steel it has to remembered that masonry and brick cleaners may contain hydrochloric acid sometimes called muriatic acid. If these fluids are to be used at all near stainless steel, care should be taken to protect the stainless steel surfaces. If splashes occur, they should be immediately washed off with water. Failure to do so will result in serious attack of the stainless steel resulting in expensive rectification costs

Importance of choosing correct grade for the application

This aspect almost goes without saying. It is only this far down in the list because it usually is    considered. But if the "wrong" grade has been chosen the consequences can be severe. Some guidelines on material selection are given here. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

Some people think that stainless steel's corrosion resistant surface somehow repels dirt and other contaminants. Like any surface stainless steel requires some maintenance. Guidance on this aspect can be found at Cleaning Methods for Stainless Steel

Importance of seeking technical advice in cases of doubt 

If there is any doubt about the correct choice of grade, surface finish or other aspect of a prospect  involving stainless steel, the following advisory services can be consulted: To find out more about passivation stainless steel Click here : http://www.astropak.com/ultra-pass-passivation.php