Use of ultrasound for cleaning of components of historical vehicles in Technical Museum in Brno

Abstract In the collections of Technical Museum in Brno, large number of historical vehicles is placed. During the operation, parts of their motors are being fouled. Frequently, they become even immobile (e. g. due to a fouled fuel system). In this case, the method using ultrasound with a suitable concentrate appears as the most suitable. In fact, ultrasound works also in inaccessible places with large efficiency. Not only the chosen solution influences the cleaning efficiency, but also parameters as time, bath temperature and ultrasound frequency. The cleaning process was evaluated according to the volume of removed dirt and by observing wettability change using the measuring of contact angle of a water drop. The ultrasound shock waves influence the surface to a certain extent also mechanically. That is why, the ultrasound effect on defects in the structure was observed. The aggressivity of cleaning concentrates was evaluated on the ground of determination of dissolved metals in the baths by ET AAS method.