Aerospace Parts Cleaning/Custom Baskets

The most recognizable categories of steel alloys are plain steel and stainless steel. Plain steel is a good choice for standard material handling applications that do not require contact with corrosive chemicals or water. The material is durable, cost-efficient compared to other alloys, and readily available. 

However, since ultrasonic parts cleaning, vapor degreasing, sterilization, and other cleaning methods require water and chemical cleaners, unprotected plain steel would rapidly corrode or oxidize, dramatically shortening the life of a parts washing basket. The need to frequently replace the baskets can drive up costs, and failures during production may cause damage to processed parts or production equipment.

Aircraft-grade stainless steel baskets facilitate better parts cleaning than aerospace-grade aluminum and other plain steel alternatives. Stainless steel is longer-lasting, has a higher tensile strength, and is corrosion-resistant due to its oxide layer. Stainless steel also has a higher melting point and shear modulus compared to other aerospace metals. 

These features make stainless steel an ideal material for constructing aerospace parts washing baskets, which must withstand corrosive chemicals and high temperatures through many cleaning cycles. For these reasons, approximately 80-90% of the work performed by Marlin Steel involves stainless steel, the most common grades being 304 and 316.

Even the smallest critical aerospace parts must be able to meet extremely tight tolerances to ensure the final product is functional, safe, and ready to be used in repeated aircraft applications. To maintain tight tolerances, these parts typically undergo ultrasonic cleaning to remove surface contaminants that could develop into flaws and lead to part failure.

To clean and carry these small aerospace parts, perforated stainless steel sheet metal baskets with dividers can keep parts separated during the cleaning process. This type of carrier prevents direct part-to-part contact, eliminating the risk of surface dents or scratches that could ruin the parts’ functionality. A hinged lid can keep parts secure while being easy for workers to open.

Custom-formed dividers can compartmentalize parts cleaning baskets to allow easier simultaneous washing of different components. In addition to saving time and money, custom dividers can hold the parts in place, prevent excessive rattling, and keep items from being damaged. Removable and welded basket dividers are available for a wide variety of applications.

Other add-ons, such as handles, simplify the aerospace parts washing process. Handles make it simpler and more efficient for employees to carry the parts cleaning baskets from one stage to the next.