Reducing operating costs and limiting the impact of the extrusion die cleaning processes on the environment has become a priority. In this article, we present the real case of Extrusal S.A., a Portuguese company specializing in aluminum extrusion, which optimized its die cleaning procedure thanks to Claris 9346MB.
The Operational Issue
Extrusal S.A. traditionally used a 30% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in a 264-gallon tank for die cleaning. Each 24-hour cycle allowed them to clean six baskets of dies.
At the end of each cycle, the solution was exhausted and had to be disposed of, generating high operating costs and a considerable environmental impact.
The Solution: Claris 9346MB
Following a site visit and technical assessment, a trial was conducted using Claris 9346MB.
The existing procedure remained unchanged: 264 gallons of 30% NaOH, with the addition of 55 lbs of Claris 9346MB (3.3 oz/gal) were added. The die cleaning process was started as usual.
After the first 24 hours of use, operators confirmed that the solution was still fully effective, enabling a second cleaning cycle without replacing the alkaline bath or adding more product. The bath was only disposed of after 48 hours.
Measurable Results
As reported by Eng. Pedro Oliveira, Area Manager for Alit Technology: “The duration of the alkaline solution doubled without compromising efficiency and productivity in any way.”
The thermographic profiles collected confirmed the solution’s stability. With Claris, it was possible to reload the dies after 24 hours while maintaining temperatures between 194°F and 176°F for the next 24 hours, ensuring consistent cleaning performance.
Pedro adds: “Cleaning an extrusion die means, first of all, removing the solidified aluminum from the holes. In the presence of Claris 9346MB, the dissolution process is modified and it becomes possible to mechanically extract the aluminum block without dissolving it excessively in the solution. In this way, the alkaline bath is less enriched with aluminum and remains active for longer.”
Fig. 1. Example of metal residues extracted from the dies using CLARIS 9346MB in the alkaline bath.
About Extrusal S.A.
Extrusal S.A. is a Portuguese manufacturer of aluminum components for the construction and automotive industries.
The company operates two extrusion lines, an in-house die factory, and dedicated R&D and quality control laboratories. A pioneer in environmental sustainability, it built one of Portugal’s first wastewater treatment plants back in 1982.
The benefits obtained
- Doubled alkaline solution lifetime
- Reduced NaOH consumption and disposal costs
- Increased operational efficiency
- A more sustainable, controllable cleaning process
- Higher aluminum recovery rates
Contact us today to schedule an operational trial with Claris 9346MB at your facility.