The Dangers of High pH Anilox Cleaners

pH is the level of acidity or basicity of a solution as measured by the concentration of hydrogen ions.  In anilox cleaning applications, chemical cleaners vary in pH level and effectiveness.  When choosing a cleaner, the goal is to select one where the pH level is high enough for effective cleaning but not too high as to cause damage to the system or harm the operator.

While high pH cleaners can be extremely effective cleaning agents, prolonged exposure can result in irreparable damage to the anilox roll.  Highly acidic or alkaline solutions can pass through the ceramic surface of a roll and attack the bonding and metal core.  Because each unit of pH means a tenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions, diluting with water does little to change the pH level of a solution.

Sometimes a buffering agent is added to a cleaning solution to offset the harmful effects of the high pH without affecting the cleaning power.  These agents make the solution non-corrosive to metal surfaces and safer to handle.

Common household cleaners are often used in pressrooms in place of products designed specifically for pressroom cleaning applications.  These household cleaners are added to the circulation tank to bolster the effectiveness of the auto-flush system or sprayed directly onto the roll.  While these cleaners may effectively remove coating residue from the roll, the pH level is often high enough to damage the metal components.

When selecting a pressroom cleaner, be sure to balance the cleaning power of high pH with possible damage to the anilox roll and risk to the operator.  To prevent damage, opt for a cleaner with a near-neutral pH or one with a buffering agent added to get the benefits of high pH without the negative effects.