Cleaning Terms Glossary - Engineering - http://maxpages.com/jpchemical/Cleaning_Terms

By John Pitsilos, Dipl.Chemical Engineer

Acid- A compound that ionizes in water to produce hydrogen ions. It readily donates protons to other substances and, when dissolved in water, creates solutions that conduct electricity, taste sour and turns litmus paper red. Inorganic acids (sometimes called mineral acids) include sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric. Organic acids include acetic, oxalic, hydroxyacetic and citric. Acids are used in toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers and hard water stain removers.

Active Ingredients- The ingredients in a product that are specifically designed to achieve the product performance objectives.

Alcohols- Organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH functional groups) in each molecule. Alcohols used in cleaners include ethyl, methyl, propyl and butyl.

Aliphatic Solvents- These are sometimes referred to as paraffins. They are also referred to as straight chain or open chain solvents. Kerosene, Odorless Mineral Spirits and Mineral Seal Oil are examples of aliphatic solvents.

Alkali or Base- Describes a solution formed when a base dissolves in water to form a solution which contains more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. Alkaline solutions have a pH of more than 7, turn red litmus paper blue, and feel soapy because they react with the skin. Alkalinity is exhibited in solution by alkalies such as sodium or potassium hydroxide or alkaline salts such as sodium carbonate. A substance used in some wax strippers, degreasers and cleaners to assist in soil and finish removal.

Ammonia- An alkaline gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen. Aqueous solutions of with 5-10% ammonia are sold as household ammonia.

Anion- An ion with a negative charge, formed when an atom gains electrons in ~ reaction. The atom now has more electrons than protons.

Anionic Surfactant- Negatively charged part of a molecule. Anionic surfactants are widely used in high-sudsing detergents.

Aromatic Solvents- Solvents made of compounds that contain an unsaturated ring of carbon atoms, typified by benzene structures. Xylene and toluene are aromatic solvents sometimes referred to as Ring Hydrocarbons.

Atom- The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element. The atoms of many elements are bonded together in groups to form particles called molecules. Atoms consist of three main types of smaller particles. These include the electrons, protons and neutrons.

Biodegradable- The ability of a substance to be broken down into simpler, smaller parts by a biological process. Many plastics are not biodegradable.

Bleach- A product that cleans, whitens, removes stains and brightens fabrics.

Blended Cleaning - - The benefits of both Zone Cleaning and Team Cleaning are integrate them into a flexible system that is easy to implement.

Boiling Point- The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor state at a given pressure.

Calcium Carbonate- An inorganic compound that occurs naturally as chalk and limestone. Its very slight solubility in water is a chief cause of “hardness” in water.

Cation- An ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses electrons in a reaction. The atom now has more protons than electrons.

Cationic Surfactant- A surfactant with a positively charged ionic group. The most common cationic surfactants are known as quaternary ammonium compounds such as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These are widely used as disinfectants and sanitizers.

Caustic- Strong alkaline substance which irritates the skin.

Chelating Agent- An organic sequestering agent used to inactivate hard water and other metallic ions in water. Additives in detergents for inactivating the minerals in water that interfere with cleaning. Ingredients include ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), NTA and sodium citrate.

Chemical Reaction- Any change which alters the chemical properties of a substance or which forms a new substance. During a chemical reaction, products are formed from reactants.

Chlorinated Solvents- An organic solvent that contains chlorine atoms as part f the molecular structure. Examples include methylene chloride and trichloroethylene.

Cleaning- Cleaning is locating, identifying, containing, removing and disposing unwanted substances (pollutants) from the environment. It is our most powerful means of managing our immediate surrounding and protecting our health.

Compatibility- The ability of two or more substances to mix without objectionable changes in their physical or chemical properties.

Corrosion Inhibitor- A material that protects against the wearing away of surfaces. Sodium silicate is a corrosion inhibitor commonly used in detergents.

Defoamers- Substance used to reduce or eliminate foam.

Degreaser- A specialty product that removes grease and greasy/oily soils from hard surfaces. Basic ingredients include surfactants that penetrate and emulsify along with alcohol or glycol derivatives to boost cleaning.

Deionized Water- Water from which charged or ionizable organic or inorganic salts are removed.

Density- Equal to its mass divided by its volume.

Detergent- A washing and cleaning agent with a composition other than soap. Detergents unlike soaps are less sensitive to minerals in water.

Distilled Water- Water which has had salts removed by distillation. It is very pure, but does contain some dissolved gases.

Electrolytes- Substances capable of conducting an electric current, either in their pure liquid state or when in solution. Acids, bases and salts are all electrolytes.

Emulsification- The action of breaking up fats, oils and other soils into small particles which are then suspended in a solution.

Emulsion- A two-phase liquid system in which small droplets of one liquid are uniformly dispersed throughout the second. An oil in water (01W) emulsion, is one in which the continuous phase is aqueous, while a water in oil (W/O) emulsion is one in which the continuous phase is oil.

Evaporation- A change of state from liquid to gaseous (vapor), due to the escape of molecules from the surface. A liquid which evaporates readily is described as volatile.

Evaporation Speed- Expressed in relation to the evaporation rate of n-Butyl Acetate which is standardized at 1.0. All products with evaporation rates greater than 1.0 are faster evaporating than n-Butyl Acetate and conversely numbers lower than 1.0 indicates a slower rate.

Exothermic Reaction- A reaction in which heat is given off to the surroundings as the products of the reaction are formed. The addition of high concentrations o sodium hydroxide to water produces an exothermic reaction.

Fatty Acid- An organic substance which reacts with a base to form a soap. Tallow and coconut oil are examples.

Flashpoint- The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite when tested.

Foam- A mass of bubbles formed on liquids by agitation. Foam can be unstable, transient or stable depending upon the presence and nature of the components in the liquid.

Grains Hardness- A measure of water hardness. The actual amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts measured in parts per million.

Hard Water- Water which contains calcium and magnesium salts that have dissolved from the rocks over which the water has flowed. Water that does not contain these salts is called soft water. There are two types of hardness --temporary hardness, which can be removed relatively easy and permanent hardness, which is more difficult to remove.

Homogeneous- Describes a substance which is the same throughout in its properties and composition.

Humidity- A measure of moisture in the atmosphere. It depends on the temperature and is higher in warm air than cold air.

Hydrophilic- A descriptive term applied to the group or radical of a surfactant molecule that makes or tends to make it soluble in water. Associated with the hydrophilic portion of a surfactant molecule is the opposite hydrophobic (water-hating) portion.

Hygroscopic- Describes a substance which can absorb up to 70% of its own mass of water vapor. Such a substance becomes damp, but does not dissolve.

Insolubility- The inability of one substance to dissolve in another.

Liquid Form of Matter- A liquid assumes the shape of its container. The molecules of a liquid are in constant motion and do not have the fixed arrangement found in solids.

Matter- Any substance that has mass (weight) and occupies space. It exists in any of three forms including a solid, liquid or gas.

Miscibility- A term often used interchangeably with solubility. It is the ability of a liquid or gas to dissolve uniformly in another liquid or gas.

Mixture- A blend of two or more elements and/or compounds which are not chemically combine. A mixture can usually be separated into its elements or compounds fairly easily by physical means.

Molecules- The smallest particle of an element or compound that normally exisb. on its own and still retains its properties. Molecules normally consist of two or more atoms bonded together. Some molecules have thousands of atoms. Ionic compounds consist of ions and do not have molecules.

Neutral- A chemical state that is neither acid nor alkali. A pH of 7 is considered neutral.

Nonionic Surfactant- A surface-active agent that contains neither positively or negatively charged functional groups. These surfactants have been found to be especially effective in removing oily soil.

Oxidation- To combine with oxygen. Slow oxidation is typified by the rusting of a metal.

Oxidizing Agent- A substance that accepts electrons in an oxidation-reduction reaction. A substance that causes the oxidation of a reactant molecule.

pH- A measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. It is expressed in a
number from 0-14. Zero being a powerful acid and 14 being a powerful alkali.

Phosphates- A substance that is added to a detergent to increase its water softening ability.

Physical Properties- Qualitative and Quantitative properties that describe a substance. They include smell, taste, color, melting point, density, hardness etc.

Preservatives- Floor finishes are susceptible to bacterial contamination. This is why finishes contain small amounts of antimicrobial agents to prevent microbial deterioration. These preservatives protect the unopened container, but do not substantially protect finish after it has been used. This is why it is important to never pour used floor finish back into a container of unused finish.

Salt- An ionic compound formed by the reaction between an acid and a base.

Saponification- The process of converting a fat into soap by treating it with an alkali. Also the process used by some to remove grease and oil.

Saturated- Describes a solution that will not dissolve any more solute at a given temperature. Any more solute will remain as crystals.

Soils- Describes a wide group of substances that attach themselves to surfaces creating a pollutant. Soils loosely attach themselves to surfaces by surface tension, electrical attraction or chemical bonding.

Solid Form of Matter- A solid holds its shape and volume even when not in a container. The molecules of a solid are tightly compacted and move only slightly

Solvents- A liquid which dissolves another substance. Water is the most common solvent.

Specific Gravity- The ratio of the weight of a given volume of a liquid to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water.

Surfactant- Substances which lower the surface tension of water. These surface-active agents modify the emulsifying, foaming, dispersing, spreading and wetting properties of a product.

Thinner - A liquid used to reduce the viscosity of a coating and that will evaporate before or during the cure of a film.

Vapor Pressure- Describes a measure of a liquids tendency to evaporate. Every. liquid has a characteristic vapor pressure that changes as the internal temperature of the liquid changes. Generally, as the temperature of a liquid increases, its vapor pressure also increases.

Viscosity- The thickness of a liquid which determines pourability. Water has a viscosity of 1 centipoise. The resistance to flow is measured in relationship to water in centipoise.

Volatile- The part of a product that evaporates during drying.

Water Hardness- A measure of the amount of metallic salts found in water. Hard water can inhibit the action of some surfactants and reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Weight per Gallon- The weight per gallon of any liquid is determined by multiplying the weight of a gallon of distilled water (8.33 lbs) by the specific gravity of the liquid.

Wetting Agent- A chemical which reduces surface tension of water, allowing it to spread more freely.

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Page Updated Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:48am EST