@lewm
Both noromance and lilgerens are using UltraSonic cleaners and the alcohol was adjusted for such.
You are suggesting using 22% ethanol in an UltraSonic bath?
The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"
The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"
I am providing this formulation for all who are interested in the very best, and can be proven and demonstrated to be the "Very Best". It can easily be made from available ingredients. On the surface, it appears to be very simple. However, it is based on extensive complex chemistry along with precise mathematical calculations and verifiable data.
You may use it with absolute confidence and be truly assured that it is beyond doubt the "Very Best". You may use it for your personal needs. Or, archival entities may use it for their purposes with confidence. Or, you may choose to start an enterprise that makes and packages quantities as either a "ready-to-use" or a "Semi-concentrated" version for sale and distribution knowing that nothing better exists. You have my blessings and encouragement with one condition. And, that is, that the pricing represents a "fair margin", and, not an obscene gouging, typical for such products.
Initially, I had prepared a presentation that briefly introduced myself, and provided the thought processes, design parameters, and the necessary basics of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to assure you and allow you to be absolutely confident in this formulation. I made a considerable effort to keep it as simple, but, also as thorough enough to achieve this confidence. However, that presentation entailed 5,239 words, typical of such a requirement, however, unacceptable in length by this website forum.
I have no option other than to offer the formulation as a 100% parts by weight version suitable to produce 1 Kilogram of the cleaner, and, invite you to question me about any aspect of the formulation.
Professionally, I am a Chemist, more specifically a Polyurethane Chemist. I have a Doctorate in Chemistry as well as two other Doctorates and a M.B.A.. I held prominent positions in significant corporations before being encouraged to start our (wife and I) manufacturing facility servicing those I previously worked for. We started, owned, and fully operated this business. We eventually obtained 85+% Market Share in our sector in Medical, Automotive, Sporting Goods, and Footwear areas before retirement.
The Audio Industry is extremely technical and many brilliant minds have contributed their talents over the decades in order that we may enjoy music today as we choose. Like many other technical industries, those of lesser minds and values invade the arena with their "magical" inspired revelations and offer their "magical" ingredients and items to all at extremely high prices. They promise that if only we are willing to part with our money - they can provide these items to you that make your audio system sound as if the orchestra, or vocalist, is in your room with you. And, after all, "magical items" must be expensive, otherwise, they would not be "magical".
This disturbs me enormously, and, it is for such reasons, I feel compelled to provide realistic and truthful information that conforms to basic Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematical Principals in those areas with which I am very knowledgeable and familiar.
"Ultimate Record Cleaner Solution"
Ingredient Amount by Weight (Grams)
Distilled Water 779.962
Ethyl Alcohol 220.000
Tergitol 15-S-7 (Dow Chemical) 0.038 (Approx. = 2 Drops)
1,000.000
Important and/or Relevant Criteria
1.) Distilled Water ONLY. Do not use deionized, tap, rain, or spring water. Distilled Water is readily available in most grocery stores. Check labeling to be certain that it is distilled and not deionized. The pricing is comparable.
2.) Ethanol must be purchased at a "Liquor Store" or a "Liquor Control Board" that is suitable for human consumption, and the appropriate taxes must be paid. This assures that the alcohol consists of only Ethyl Alcohol and water. You need to purchase the 95+% version, also known as 180+ Proof. NOTHING ELSE is acceptable. (100% Ethyl Alcohol is not available under "normal" circumstances). Denatured alcohol from a Hardware Store or elsewhere is PROHIBITED, as well as ANY other alcohols.
3.) Tergitol 15-S-7 is made by Dow and is available on the internet in small quantities from Laboratory Supply Houses such as Fisher and Advance, etc.. I have no affiliations with either Dow Chemical, or Fisher, or Advance. You MUST use Tergitol 15-S-7 ONLY. No other Tergitol product is acceptable for this designed formula, and you need to acquire the undiluted form only.
4.) The above cleaner formula will result in a non-foaming (VLF) Surfactant Formulation that exhibits the following:
Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter @ 20 C. (68.0 F.)
Surface Tension of 28.2 dynes/centimeter @ 25 C. (77.0 F.)
5.). A Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter is Remarkable and will properly clean records of all organic soilings, and all oily substances, as well as very significant amounts of inorganic soilings. This available Surface Tension coupled with the Azeotropic Characteristics of very rapid evaporation and spotless drying occur because of the selection of Ethyl Alcohol and the very specific concentration determined as 22.00% p.b.w., further improves the products abilities. The "Ease-of-Use" and "Spot-Free" results are to be accepted.
6.). Be aware that an "ideal temperature of use" also exists for this formulation. And, that reasonable temperature is 40 C. (104.0 F.). Further increases in temperature offers no improvement, therefore, confirming the proper use of the term "ideal". I mention this not because of of any substantial improvement, but, only to be aware of its’ existence. And, if you have a choice to utilize a room that is warmer than another, select the warmer room closer to 104.0 F. There is no need to elevate the temperature of the records or the materials. Simply be aware that 104.0 F. Is ideal.
If interest is expressed in this submission, I am willing to provide additional submissions regarding other materials, and, other areas of interest. Such as"Best Contact Substance", "Best lubricants for turntables", " Better Dampening Materials" for turntables and tonearms, and, most significantly, "Best" material for "Turntable Platter/Vinyl Record Interface" usually called "Record Mats". The last item will certainly disturb many individuals and anger many suppliers.
Whatever I may contribute is substantiated by Science and Testing, and Verifiable. Science has no Opinions. Opinions in these matters are best reserved for those who rely on their imagination and wishful thinking.
Also, I have no vested interests in this Industry. Simply possess some scientific knowledge that also relates to some aspects of the Audio Area, and I am willing to share that information if requested!
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- 470 posts total
@mijostyn @rhg3 @lewm @cleeds @dogberry @pindac @jasonbourne71 @richmon @whart @rich121 Good evening to all,
Our original plans made for us have be readjusted for us again. We need to go to another Hospital Tomorrow. Then again leaving for yet another Hospital quite some distance away for a few days. I may choose to leave, Sunday night and stay overnight at a Hospital related Hotel, or leave very early Monday morning. Nevertheless, in either case, my wife needs to be away for two full days. I am informing you of this because I will try to get some matters attended to until and when it does becomes possible to complete more. So, you will be receiving my responses in "dribs and drabs" in as unspecified manner.
I am doing the best I can under all the circumstances, but, that has been our lives for some time now. I occasionally question, whether or not I should have started something like this or not. I hope you can relate, and I thank you for your patience and understanding.
Based on some recent comments, and on those awaiting answers especially @mijostyn , who now has to depend upon morphine to overcome his pain and suffering awaiting a response to his questions to me.
I considered and determined that I would employ an alternative method to be able to satisfy most, if not all, regarding my posted formulation and my intents.
Although the very original post is VERY CLEAR in every respect, it obviously, was not to some. It may have been beneficial to some if a prologue of sorts was provided as well at the onset. This, did now become more clear to me especially when @rhg3 posted (now, post #18) a link to what he described as a "tome", which I did read in its’ entirety, before responding. My response to @rhg3 is now recognized as (post #21) in the Forum. (I state "now" because the Administrator blocked and removed many postings, and, shall I say, justifiably so. The Administrator was correct in His or Her actions.)
If all would please take the time to re-read my response to @rhg3 (posts #21), you will note my gratitude and appreciation, and my kind words, along with my applicable position that it differed to my "exclusive design selection method". Again, another posting written in a very clear manner, however, many had taken this response as an affront to an almost "god-like admired contributor" and in an effrontery manner on my part for saying as much. I shall refer to this individual in future writing as "Mister Wonderful" to keep things simple. Now, Please do not make the same mistakes as in the past - that I am suggesting that this individual is "simple", and any associated derogatory implications that may be inferred. Let us not start again!. However, the author of the "tome" (not my word), chimed in with his admirers, and included himself in this "self-admiration", which did not assist the misunderstandings.
An undeclared "war" was essentially initiated both against me and any additional comments I made, but, also against others, that acknowledged the value of my input, and requested further information. Many deviated immensely from my good intention, and the forum spiraled into abuse, contempt, and further deviated entirely from any truly related matters, and sent the forum down a"rabbit-hole" of absurdities at times.
A clearly presented and simple formulation that contains ONLY THREE ingredients, and, precisely stating the exact amounts of each component to within three decimal place accuracy - upset the entire pre-established "Apple Cart" of understanding for many.
Absolutely Incredible! And, beyond comprehension.
Since water has already been mentioned many times, and ethanol as well. Only one ingredient remains that has not been discussed. And, I would like to mention some attributes about the determined Tergitol before proceeding with my altered and modified approach to this matter for those with apparent difficulties.
And, before I cover some points about the Tergitol in the formulation, I would like to address those who "think" they know everything there is to know about water and ethanol. And the answer is very simple indeed - YOU DON’T! Otherwise, to this day, thousands of individuals would still not be studying and continuing research concerning water, and, the same applies to ethanol.
Now, to discuss the last and only remaining ingredient - Tergitol 15-S-7. Tergitol is a Registered Trademark name belonging to The Dow Chemical Company to differentiate a particular class of surfactants from others that they also produce, as well as other Companies.
Tergitol 15-S surfactants are first and foremost "Non-Ionic Surfactants". Non-Ionic Surfactants are THE ONLY TYPE of surfactant to be used for cleaning records. Period!
Dow Chemical designed the 15-S series to be very high performance Secondary Alcohol Ethoxylates (S A E) to be used in place of Primary Alcohol Ethoxylates (P A E) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (N P E), and Octylphenol Ethoxylates (O P E). Triton X-100, which was also developed by Dow many years ago, is an example of an (O P E) surfactant.
The "S", or, as written earlier above as, S means it is a Secondary Alcohol. And, what that means is that there is a Hydroxyl group along the mid-section of the hydrocarbon chain to connect it to the "Hydrophilic Chain" of repeating Ethylene Oxide units. The "15" was selected because it represents the maximum number of possible "Hydrophobic Hydrocarbon" atoms in the alcohol chain of the series. Note, it represents the maximum, not necessarily, the exact number. The actual number may be from 11 to 15 depending upon the specific product. This is all in accordance with the "designed intentions". I could be more specific at this point, but, I do not wish to go "deep into the woods", at this point.
The 7 in Tergitol 15-S-7 represents the number of Moles of Ethylene Oxide used to make the end-product, which relates to the Equilibrium Surface Tension Relationship intended by design again, which is a specifically calculated amount, which is extremely significant. All of the above mentioned criteria essentially indicates that it is the best and wisest choice to be used on a hard surface substrate as the vinyl records, with which we are most concerned.
In the interim, also keep in mind, that ONLY four types of surfactants exist in the world. This will be important to remember when I provide my "modified approach presentation" later on. The four types are: A.) Anionic. B.) Cationic. C.) Non-Ionic. D.) Amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants have both a positive and negative charge on their Hydrophilic end. The dual charges cancel cancel each other out, that is why they are, at times, referred to as Zwitterionic, and then the pH of of a given solution will determine how the Amphoteric surfactant will behave and react. This is very interesting Chemistry, but, it will not concern us and record cleaning. The important thing to remember is that ONLY NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS can be used for cleaning records. This also will be further explained. I do NOT intend to get "deep into the woods" with my later adaptation, I intend to "walk around the edges" of the forest and occasionally "peek" into the deep wooded areas, and "label each peek" with a number that can be referred to if someone requires additional information, or, further explanation.
The Dow Chemical Company designed the Tergitol products with Specific intentions. Dow further designed the Tergitol 15-S with additional specific intentions. Dow then further designed specific items within that designed criteria. All very specialized with specific intended end usages.
And many of you thought that Tergitol 15-S-7 was just "some number designation" that was picked to simply differentiate it from other Tergitols. If you did, do not feel bad, many, if not most chemists, would easily make a similar incorrect assumption.
When I selected a "Specific Scientific Methodology" and "Determined, and Selected Modalities" within the selected "Specific Scientific Methodology", I designed a cleaning formulation with water, which then determined the incorporation of ethanol exclusively, and then determined the exact concentration of ethanol, I was left with the challenge to determine the best surfactant to utilize, and then to calculate the precise amount of surfactant to produce "The Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation". And, to verify the anticipated results to determine if it matched All the Parameters desired, and fulfilled all the criteria required to be certain that it is "The Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation" as intended. This was all accomplished by "Design" !
I am assured that the formulation is the "Very Best", and, I hope that you would at least attempt to acknowledge my knowledge and my efforts. And, at some point, be as assured and as confident as I am.
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I refer you to my response to @mijostyn with regard to the graph. It is EXACTLY the transition point where the slope changes dramatically. This is simply mathematical calculations determined as to the relationship of Surface Tension in dynes/centimeter and the WEIGHT percentage of ethanol. Nothing to discuss, just simply to examine and understand the significance of this exact amount of Ethanol. Anything else? |
- 470 posts total