Comparing to other cleaning methods, ultrasonic cleaning is not a paint-stripping method. Ultrasonic cleaning is used for the cleaning of metal with fat remains and other waste, but it’s not used for thick coating layers. Ultrasonic cleaning, or cleaning through sound waves, is a relatively new way of parts cleaning. The ultrasonic waves are above the human limit of hearing (>20KHz). The principal of ultrasonic cleaning is the conversion of electric energy into mechanical vibrations. The cleaning fluid, the medium, is being vibrated through the vibrating elements. This produces hydrogen bubbles, also called cavitation bubbles, which are alter imploded into an ultrasonic crystal under high pressure. These implosions cause effective pressure which makes the fat and dust remains come loose of the materials.

Location

The ultrasonic cleaning technique is being used usually for the cleaning of small parts. Still, this advanced technique has grown into an industrial activity of several industrial cleaning companies, who use large ultrasonic baths. These baths are able to clean large objects as well. Still, these baths needs large investments. The pre- and after flushing of the materials to clean is also been done in industrial baths.      

Advantages
Ultrasonic cleaners are very efficient. They leave most of the time no dirt- or fat remains on the parts and they clean also the places which are hard to reach. Spite de several chemical fluids which are used to clean ultrasonic, the system is quite environmentally friendly. Ultrasonic baths are a perfect combination with thermal cleaning techniques.

Disadvantages
Ultrasonic cleaning is nowadays a relatively expensive cleaning technique through the limited possibilities. A paint or coating layer is for example hard to remove but an ultrasonic treatment is an ideal technique to use after the thermal treatment (through a pyrolysis oven) of materials. Paint-stripping and industrial cleaning companies are likely to use other cleaning techniques.