UniClean 501

Three part etch cleaner for steel

Version: 03
Released on: 20.08.2019

Technical Data Sheet Doc.-No.: 5052

SAP-No.: 1678739 HCL;
1686414 H2SO4; 1686415
HCL/H2SO4; 1686416 H3PO4
IMDS-No.: not applicable

CONTENTS

1. Process Information................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Equipment ............................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Make-Up at welding spots ....................................................................................................................... 2
4. Make-Up at persistent pollution near soldering and brazing spots without ultrasonic support ............... 3
5. Make-Up at persistent pollution near soldering and brazing spots with ultrasonic support .................... 3
6. Make-Up as degreasing pickling bath use only Part 3 ............................................................................ 3
7. Working Parameters ................................................................................................................................ 3
8. Application Guidelines ............................................................................................................................. 4
9. Recommended Working Procedure ........................................................................................................ 4
10. Material No. for Make-Up and Maintenance Products ............................................................................ 4
11. General Safety Precautions .................................................................................................................... 5
12. Document History .................................................................................................................................... 5

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 UniClean 501
Three part etch cleaner for steel

1. Process Information
• UniClean 501 is a three-part degreasing pickle for steel in hydrochloric acid or mixed hydrochloric
acid/sulfuric acid etches.
• It removes carbonized soils from welding spots. When used with UniClean 501 Part 3, it removes
carbonized soils near soldering and brazing spots.
• UniClean 501 activates the etch effect at inhibitorical protection and little hydrogen absorption of the
base material.

UniClean 501 has the following advantages:

• Three-part additive system containing the inhibitor and degreasing parts containing UniClean 501 Part
1 and the fuse- and oxide-solution accelerator UniClean 501 Part 2, and a high efficient wetting agent
UniClean 501 Part 3 as an alternative to Part 1.
• Dissolving of carbon deposit, solder and weld residues and all kinds of oxides on steel, deep burned
oils, scale or rust.
• Biodegradibility of the tensides, no inorganic salts and for wastewater treatment non-affecting
composition.
• High economy and longer life-time of the etch solution.
• Acceleration and intensification of the etch procedure.

2. Equipment

Tank Polypropylene, Polyethylene, PVC, PVC / Polyester-reinforced material

Heater/Cooler Porcelain, quartz, PTFE
Exhaust Recommended
Agitation Part agitation and/or air injection is recommended.
An air injection contributes to an even etching and lengthened the life-
time.
Filtration Not required

3. Make-Up at welding spots

Part 1 or Part 3 Part 2 Temperature
Hydrochloric acid (1 : 1) 0.4 – 0.8 % 1–4% 20 – 40 °C
Sulfuric acid (15 vol. %) 0.4 – 0.8 % 1–4% 60 °C
Hydrochloric/Sulfuric acid (10/15 vol. %) 0.4 – 0.8 % 1–4% 50 °C

Immersion Time: 1 – 15 min.

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 UniClean 501
Three part etch cleaner for steel

4. Make-Up at persistent pollution near soldering and brazing spots without

ultrasonic support
Part 2 Part 3 Temperature
Hydrochloric acid (1 : 1) 3–4% 1–3% 20 – 40 °C
Sulfuric acid (15 vol. %) 3–4% 1–3% 60 °C
Hydrochloric/Sulfuric acid (10/15 vol. %) 3–4% 1–3% 50 °C

Immersion Time: 1 – 30 min.

5. Make-Up at persistent pollution near soldering and brazing spots with

ultrasonic support
Only Part 3 US Power Temperature
Phosphoric acid (5 – 10 vol. %) 3% 1 – 8 W/l 50 °C

Immersion Time: 2 – 10 min.

6. Make-Up as degreasing pickling bath use only Part 3

Part 2 - Temperature
Hydrochloric acid (1 : 1) 1–3% - 20 – 40 °C
Sulfuric acid (15 vol. %) 1–3% - 60 °C
Hydrochloric/Sulfuric acid (10/15 vol. %) 1–3% - 50 °C

Immersion Time: 1 – 30 min.

7. Working Parameters

Temperature 25 – 60 °C
Time 1 - 30 min depending on oxide attack

Replenishment of UniClean 501 Part 1 and UniClean Part 2 must be carried out in the make-up proportion
with the acid corresponding to drag-out losses. The acid concentration must be checked when the etching
effect decreases (analytical methods can be provided) or the content of UniClean 501 Part 2 must be raised.

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 UniClean 501
Three part etch cleaner for steel

8. Application Guidelines
UniClean 501 Part 1 or Part 3 is responsible for degreasing and activation of the surface of the parts.

The containing tenside takes care of the lowering of the surface tension and the diffusion of the etch solution
into the oxide layer to be removed. The inhibitors prevent the base material attack and also the hydrogen
emission.

The consumption of UniClean 501 Part 1 or Part 3 is mainly caused by drag-out losses.

High oil drag-ins will also lower the effect of the tenside system in this additive.

Replenishments are to be done accordingly.

UniClean 501 Part 2 accelerates the etch procedure and especially the oxide solution.

The etch performance of the above mentioned etch bath varies with the dosis level. The max. concentration
of 40 ml/l should not be exceeded.

The part which supports the etching procedure will be decreased or consumed by the electroless oxide
solution and in addition to this by drag-out.

9. Recommended Working Procedure

• Hot soak e.g. in UniClean 155
• Rinse
• Etch Cleaner e.g. UniClean 501
• Rinse
• Electrolytical cleaning, anodic or cathodic, e.g. UniClean 251
• Rinse
• Pickling with 5 % hydrochloric or sulfuric acid or dry acid, e.g. UniClean 698
• Rinse and
• Further treatment

The modifying of the procedure can be necessary depending on requirement. Depending on requirement
other Cleaners from the Atotech product range can be used.

10. Material No. for Make-Up and Maintenance Products

PRODUCT MATERIAL NO.
UNICLEAN 501 PART 1 1668018
UNICLEAN 501 PART 2 1667979
UNICLEAN 501 PART 3 1668015

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 UniClean 501
Three part etch cleaner for steel

11. General Safety Precautions

Avoid direct contact with this material. Do not inhale associated mist or vapors. Wash contaminated clothing
before reuse. Refer to Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific precautions before handling this material and for
first aid recommendations. As applicable, keep exposure below the limits recommended by the appropriate
regional regulatory agencies.

For further information regarding safe handling of the product please refer to the
corresponding SDS. The SDS is provided as part of the ordering process. If you
don't have a copy of the SDS for a product then it can be obtained, on request, from
the appropriate regional Atotech office.

12. Document History

Current revision status Date Change against last version:
01 16.Feb.2010 NEW
02 11.Nov.2011 Part 3 added
03 20.Aug.2019 Temperature for HCl changed

This sheet shall serve for your information. The content of the sheet is based on our best Atotech Deutschland GmbH
knowledge. We do not undertake any duty to advise. The contents of the sheet shall not P.O. Box: 21 07 80
be considered as an agreement on condition and quality of the goods delivered. 10507 Berlin, Germany
The decision to use our products for its production purposes is the responsibility of our Erasmusstraße 20
customer. We can accept liability only for the quality of our products at delivery. If 10553 Berlin, Germany
difficulties arise in the application of our products, we propose that you contact our phone +49 (0) 30 349 85 0
technical service department. fax +49 (0) 30 349 85 777

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