Hello Joe, My mentor always used straight ammonia in the 'sonic. I
got tired of the fumes and (thanks to ideas from other Orchidians)
now I only put water with a drop of dish detergent in the 'sonic
well. In that water I can float little zip-lock bags containing the
piece and “409” or ammonia (or that orange smelling cleaner).
Larger pieces are hung in a pyrex beaker holding the cleaning
solution; the beaker sits in the suspended basket. Much easier to
change solutions and uses smaller amounts. Hope that helps, Judy in
Kansas
Judy M. Willingham, R.S.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
237 Seaton Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan KS 66506
(785) 532-2936
We use a mix of water, ammonia, and Ivory liquid soap in
approximately a 10-3-1 ratio–however that is extremely approximate
as we don’t actually ever measure any of it.
Daniel R. Spirer, GG
Spirer Somes Jewelers
Elaine Corwin from Gesswein posted this way back in April 1999, and
I think it will help answer your question – note ammonia’s presence
on the list of corrosive chemicals. (Yes, I kept this post on file:
I’m a pack rat when it comes to good and handy advice.
You should see my office. 
From Elaine:
The following chemicals are known to cause varying degrees of
deterioration in the corrosion resistance of stainless steel
ultrasonic cleaning tanks. The chemical activity of these materials
is accelerated by the ultrasonic action that takes place in the tank.
This list covers most common chemicals but there may be others that
will also harm your tank or your jewelry or both. When in doubt, ask
your supplier. Better yet, simply use a cleaning solution
specifically recommended for ultrasonic cleaning.
Keep in mind if you use a strong solution such as Vest-Off for
investment removal, you can use an ultrasonic cleaner PROVIDED you
place the Vest-Off in a beaker which is then in turn suspended in the
ultrasonic tank (which is filled with water). Your castings go in the
beaker with the Vest-Off and the ultrasonic cavitation is strong
enough to go thru the glass and cavitate the Vest-Off.
Don’t rest the beaker (or anything else for that matter) on the
bottom of the tank. Use a beaker positioning cover which will firmly
hold the beaker suspended in the tank so it wont tip over or touch
bottom.
Acetophenone
Aluminum Chloride
Aluminum Fluoride
Aluminum Sulfate
Ammonia
Ammonium Bifluoride
Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium Hydroxide
Amyl Chloride
Antimony Trichloride
Aqua Regia
Bleach
Bromine
Calcium Bisulfate
Calcium Bisulfite
Calcium Hypochlorite
Chloracetic Acid
Chloric Acid
Chlorine, Anhydrous
Chromic Acid
Copper Chloride
Copper Fluoborate
Ethyl Chloride
Ferric Chloride
Ferrous Chloride
Ferrous Sulfate
Fluoboric Acid
Fluorine
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid
Hydrofluosilicic Acid
Iodoform
Mercuric Chloride
Muriatic Acid
Phosphoric (crude)
Potassium Chloride
Sodium Hypochlorite
Stannic Chloride
Stannous Chloride
Sulfur Chloride
Sulfuric Acid
Zinc Chloride
Best Regards, Elaine Corwin GESSWEIN CO INC USA Tel: 1-800-544-2043
Fax:
203-335-0300
Suzanne Wade
writer/editor
Suzanne@rswade.net
http://www.rswade.net
Phone: (508) 339-7366
Fax: (928) 563-8255
Joe, We have a great concentrated solution that has been used for
years and was tested and perfected by some of the largest jewelry
manufacturers in the country. If you are interested we will send you
a sample of it. We recommend 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water.
Sizes available are 1 Qt. $10.58, 1 Gallon $21.50 larger sizes are
available.
Let me know if you want a sample by email or call us at
1-877-262-2185.
I think once you try our solution you’ll like it.
Here is the product description from the label.
SuperCleanTM is a biodegradable, mildly alkaline liquid cleaner for
the removal of soils such as Gray Star, White Diamond, Tripoly,
Rouge, Lime, etc., from precious and semi-precious metals such as
Rhodium, Platinum, Copper, Brass and precious stones without the use
of ammonia or other harsh chemicals. Agitated tanks or ultrasonic
applications.
Use concentrations: 2-10% by volume.
Temp: 120-140=BAF
Time: Variable
PH, Use solution: 11-12
Exact concentration will depend upon the extent of the build-up and
age of the buffing or polishing compound. Ultrasonic applications:
Degas thoroughly. When uniform cavitation is achieved, SuperCleanTM
is ready for use, clean parts for 15 seconds to 5 minutes depending
on the soil conditions. Rinse cleaned parts with water.
Ken Kotoski
MPG Repair
www.mpgrepair.com
1-877-262-2185
Up until recently I’ve been using Mr. Clean with Ammonia. That is
what the jewelry store I used to work in used. It did a great job
and didn’t have any additives that could hurt the precious metals.
I’m not sure if it’s being made any more or if the stores here just
stopped carrying it, but I can’t get it anymore.
I then made the switch to a generic ammonia cleaner, and it didn’t
do very well at all. I happened to have a container of Ottosonic
brand solution and decided it would do until I could find a suitable
replacement.
It turns out that I’ll being using Ottosonic solution for a very
long time! It works great! I always thought that you needed an
ammonia based solution, but this stuff blows the rest away (in my
opinion). The best part is that it’s biodegradable so you’re not
dumping more sludge into the environment, and this also makes it
easier on sensitive skin.
It’s expensive, but a little goes a long way. I get mine from Frei
& Borel. Ken
Hi Suzanne, Thanks for reposting that info on cleaning
solutions. To tell you the truth, I’ve caught a lot of flak from
that post over the years specifically regarding ammonia. Our
ultrasonic vendors recommend against putting it directly in the tank
and advise using a beaker or something similar to contain it. I’ve
had a lot of jewelers disagree completely and say they’ve been using
ammonia for years with no adverse effects to the ultrasonic tank.
I spoke with a metallurgist at a luncheon not too many years ago who
also advised against putting ammonia into the ultrasonic cleaner. I
heard another metallurgist say it was no problem.
Perhaps some of the metallugists on Orchid could settle the debate
once and for all.
Best Regards,
Elaine
Elaine Corwin
VP Tech Services
Hi Elaine, Suzanne and all, Most ultrasonic manufacturers won’t honor
the warranty on their machines if ammonia is used in the tank. It
will etch the stainless steel tank which weakens it and it is
obvious to the manufacturers when this has been done.
There are so many very good solutions on the market that won’t void
the warranty why not keep the warranty intact and improve your
health.
Breathing the fumes from the ammonia are hazardous to your health.
Call the company listed on your bottle of ammonia and ask for a
MSDS. They have to get it to you right away and you’ll see your
killing yourself and every one else working there by breathing
these fumes everyday.
Ken Kotoski
MPG Repair
www.mpgrepair.com
1-877-262-2185