Discussion and questions related to the course Practical TIG Welding
= Resolved threads
Hi Nigel,
You constantly refer to acetone for cleaning materials for welding. You also state that fluids such as brake clean should not be used. What about the use of iso-propyl alcohol?
Regards
Francis
Yes Iso-propol alcohol is fine, Acetone is generally easier to find, cheaper and it evaporates a little faster than Alcohol. But if your using either then you will be doing a great job of surface preparation.
"Some" brake cleaners are perfectly OK, but those containing tetrachloroethylene will form phosgene gas when heated. You may not have heard of that gas, but most of you will have heard of it's more common name, "mustard gas", which is a particularly nasty form of chemical warefare used in WW1 and by some vicious governments even now on civilians. If you check your brand of "brake cleaner", you may see it states "Chlorine free" as most currently are, and these are perfectly fine to use - but in case of a mix-up, probably a good move to avoid them all together.
It isn't just welding that is a possible problem, spraying on really hot brakes will do the same thing.
You can get more information on this problem below.
https://www.envirofluid.com/articles/tetrachloroethylene-a-deadly-danger-in-brake-cleaner/
https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/phosgene/basics/facts.asp
Iso', is also used in the production of some drugs and some countries actually regulate the purchase of it in quantity. The advantage is that it's commonly available as a aerosol cleaner for electronics, or in smaller containers. Some containers or refillable sprayers may have plastic that breaks down in the presence of it, though, so check first before it melts and leaks everywhere - the same thing applies for acetone and some other solvents, though..