Abstract: An alkali metal cleaning composition for cleaning metal and for inhibiting corrosion of metal. The composition is composed of an alkali carbonate salt, a surfactant, and a corrosion inhibitor. A preferred corrosion inhibitor is an alkali metal silicate. Additional metal corrosion inhibitors such as a combination of a triazole compound and an alkali metal borate also can be employed. Such alkali carbonate compositions are readily water soluble and remain in solution over prolonged storage periods.

Abstract: Stripping action of an alkaline paint stripper is improved when ammonia is partially or completely replaced with ammonium bicarbonate or chemical equivalent thereof which decomposes into ammonia and carbon dioxide. A benzyl alcohol solvent system containing at least ammonium bicarbonate is preferably a water-in-oil emulsion emulsified with oleic hydroxyethyl imidazoline and thickened with hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. A mixture of ammonium carbamate and ammonium bicarbonate identified as ammonium carbonate is the preferred activator for this alkaline paint stripper. Improved stripping can also be provided by reacting ammonium bicarbonate and ammonia in situ within the water-in-oil emulsion.

Abstract: A process for making a concentrated liquid detergent composition comprising the steps of: i) mixing succinic anhydride, water and an alkaline catalyst, wherein the ratio of succinic anhydride to water is at least 4:1; ii) allowing an exothermic hydrolysis reaction to take place in a buffer tank, and iii) mixing the resulting highly active, partly neutralised succinic acid with other detergent ingredients.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers, at ambient pressures, an aqueous, chemically carbonated cleaning composition prepared by admixing a carbonate salt solution, and an acid solution, such that the acid reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide coincident with application to a textile to be cleaned. Citric acid and sodium carbonate are the preferred acid and carbonate salt. In a preferred embodiment, urea is added to the acid solution to prevent yellowing and to improve cleaning ability. The compositions are preferably prepared and applied at an elevated temperature in the range of between about 140.degree. and 200.degree. F.

Abstract: A metal cleaning composition useful in an aqueous solution comprises an alkali metal salt and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor is provided in the form of zinc phosphate compounds such as zinc orthophosphate.

Abstract: Stable, silicate-free, soft metal safe, alkaline cleaners are provided. The cleaners comprise calcium ions and surfactants containing hydroxyl and/or carboxylic acid groups or a combination thereof, wherein the total of the two functionalities in each surfactant is greater than or equal to 2, and alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids. It has been surprisingly discovered that alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, are capable of keeping calcium ions in an alkali solution. The cleaners may also comprise nonionic surfactants to provide wetting, detergency, and foamability where required, anionic surfactants as viscosity enhancers in the case of high retention cleaners, and solvents such as alcohols, glycol ethers, or hydrotropes to enhance solubility of the system. The alkaline cleaners are safe to use on soft metal surfaces and equipment commonly found in many industries, without the presence of silicate which is normally used as a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: Stable and clear concentrated cleaning compositions comprising at least one short chain surfactant, optionally in combination with long chain nonionic surfactant and potassium carbonate. The short chain surfactants allow for the formulation of stable compositions without the need for additional stabilizers and are especially effective in cleaning greasy soil; the potassium carbonate provides reduced filming and streaking, especially when an anionic sulfonate short chain surfactant is present.

Abstract: A solvent that will remove all types of commercially available water soluble polymers by breaking the covalent bonds within the polymer molecules such that these polymers can then be removed from all surfaces and equipment completely and safely by washing away with water.The solvent consists of (in a 21/2 gallon concentrated solution) 4% of ammonium chloride, 29% of ammonium hydroxide, and 67% water.

Abstract: A novel composition, a kit for providing that composition, and method of treatment is disclosed. The composition comprises aqueous hydroxyacid, hydroxy ether, surfactant, and alkali hydroxide. In a preferred aspect, the composition comprises aqueous hydroxyacetic acid, dipropylene glycol-methyl ether, a surfactant blend of 9M tridecyl alcohol and poly`oxy-1,2-ethanediyl`, alpha-`nonylphenyl`-omega-hydroxy-surfactant, and aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides laundry pre-spotter compositions with superior cleaning efficacy using associative polymeric thickeners to synergistically boost cleaning. Cleaning efficacy equivalent to compositions comprising having twice the amount of a nonionic surfactant by weight and a viscosity from about 300 cps to about 100,000 cps at 25.degree. C. and 60 RPM is obtained by employing a composition comprising from about 7.0 or 9.0% to about 13.0% by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant having an average HLB of from about 8 to about 13 and about 0.25% to about 2.0% by weight of at least one associative polymeric thickener.

Abstract: The present invention provides laundry pre-spotter compositions with superior cleaning efficacy using associative polymeric thickeners to synergistically boost cleaning. Cleaning efficacy equivalent to compositions comprising having twice the amount of a nonionic surfactant by weight and a viscosity to about 100,000 cps at 25.degree. C. is obtained by employing a composition comprising from about 12.5% to about 13.0% by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant having an average HLB of from about 8 to about 13 and about 0.4% to about 2.0% by weight of at least one associative polymeric thickener.

Abstract: The invention is a cleaning solution for degreasing metal articles which contains at least one chlorine-free nonionic surfactant with an HLB in the range of 6.5 to 9.5; a second chlorine-free nonionic surfactant with an HLB in the range of above 9.5 to about 14; a chlorinated nonionic surfactant, and an alkalinizing agent and optionally also one or more of anionic or amphoteric surfactant; hydrotroping agents; solubilizers; organic builders, and corrosion inhibitors. The preferred composition of the invention can replace a vapor degreasing process for cleaning oil, grease, and waxy-type contaminants from metal articles to the level of cleanliness required in the aerospace industry.

Abstract: Carpeting, upholstery, drapery and other textile fibers are cleaned by applying to the fibers, at ambient pressures, an aqueous, chemically carbonated detergent cleaning composition prepared by admixing a carbonate salt solution, and an acid solution, such that the acid reacts with the carbonate salt to produce carbon dioxide coincident with application to a textile to be cleaned. Citric acid and sodium carbonate are the preferred acid and carbonate salt. The compositions are preferably prepared and applied at an elevated temperature in the range of between about 140.degree. and 200.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and modifying the surface of aluminum container sheet to make improved food can bodies and/or beverage can ends therefrom. The lowering of magnesium levels on an aluminum oxide surface and through the oxide-metal interface of this sheet, and deposition of at least some phosphorus-containing complex thereon produces container sheet that exhibits improved corrosion performance. The method comprises contacting said container sheet for less than about 20 seconds with a cleaner which preferably includes: about 1.0-10.0 wt. % (10.0-100.0 g/L) of sodium carbonate; about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium hydroxide, said cleaner including a total carbonate and hydroxide concentration in excess of about 3.0 wt. % (30.0 g/L); about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium gluconate; about 0.1-2.0 wt. % (1.0-20.0 g/L) of a compound containing 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (or "HEDP"); and about 0.05-1.0 wt. % (0.5-10.

Abstract: A metal cleaning composition useful in aqueous solution comprises an alkalinity providing agent and a corrosion inhibitor comprising magnesium ions, zinc ions or both. The corrosion inhibitor is provided in the form of magnesium or zinc compounds such as magnesium oxide or water soluble salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a foam stabilizing composition which is used in conjunction with alkaline detergent products to produce a foam which is capable of clinging to vertical surfaces for extended time periods without breakdown or drying and which ultimately rinses freely with water. The foam stabilizing composition generally comprises a vinyl polymer emulsion. The invention also comprises a method of cleaning hard surfaces using the combination of the alkaline detergent product and the disclosed foam stabilizing composition.

Abstract: Oil based paint containing lead compounds is removed from a substrate on which it is deposited by application of an aqueous solution thereto. The solution comprises a solvent that does not dissolve the paint and is compatible with water; a film former for retarding evaporation; a viscosity builder to fortify the solution and prevent slumping thereof during application to vertical and overhead horizontal surfaces; an alkaline compound for reacting with the pigment portion of the paint. Advantageously, the solution penetrates the deposited paint, which coagulates and separates from the substrate. Stripping procedures are facilitated, and neutralization of the substrate prior to repainting is avoided. A safe and effective treatment of materials covered with lead-containing paint is carried out in an economical, cost efficient manner.

Abstract: An aqueous soda ash based detergent slurry composition comprising (A) about 5-65% of inorganic builder salt comprising soda ash, and (B) about 0.01-20% of a copolymer comprising an unsaturated monomer copolymerized with an oxyalkylated monomer.

Abstract: An improvement is described in gelled microemulsion compositions which contain an anionic detergent, a nonionic surfactant, a grease release agent, a hydrocarbon ingredient, and water which comprises the use of a water-insoluble odoriferous perfume as the essential hydrocarbon ingredient in a proportion sufficient to form a gelled microemulsion composition containing, by weight, 2% to 35% of an anionic detergent, 1 to 50% of a cosurfactant, 0.1% to 10% of a grease release agent, 0.4% to 25% of perfume and the balance being water.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous, hard surface cleaner with significantly improved residue removal and substantially reduced filming/streaking, said cleaner comprising:(a) an effective amount of at least one organic solvent with a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., and mixtures of such solvents;(b) an effective amount of at least one semi-polar nonionic surfactant, said surfactant having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.5-20 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are both C.sub.1-4 alkyl, ##STR2## or --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --OH, although R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 do not have to be equal, and n is 1-5, and p is 1-6;(c) an effective amount of a buffering system which comprises a nitrogenous buffer which will result in a pH of greater than 6.5; and(d) the remainder as substantially all water.

Abstract: The concentration of Al on silicon surface is reduced to lose its influence on the growth rate of an oxide film during thermal oxidation when semiconductor surface treatment is carried out by a process for treating semiconductor surfaces which comprises a step of cleaning surfaces of semiconductors with a semiconductor surface treating agent comprising an inorganic or organic alkali, hydrogen peroxide and water as major components, and a step of rinsing the resulting surfaces with ultra-pure water, at least one of the semiconductor surface treating agent and the ultra-pure water containing as a complexing agent a compound having three or more ##STR1## groups in the molecule or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The scale formed by use of alkaline salt-based cleaners and which comprises one or more alkaline salts and organic scale is removed by applying an aqueous solution comprising alkali metal carbonate salts and optionally, a hydrotrope to remove the organic scale. A mixture of potassium and sodium carbonate salts has been found to effect better descaling than use of either of the salts alone.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for cleaning and etching an aluminum surface with a low etch, low phosphate alkaline cleaner solution are disclosed. The preferred composition employs a stable combination of an alkali metal hydroxide, gluconic acid, a detergent source, an aluminum sequestrant, an oil emulsifier, a defoamer, and a hydrotrope.

Abstract: Detergent compositions comprising a hydrocarbyl-amidoalkyl-enebetaine synthetic detergent surfactant; cleaning solvent; and buffer provide superior filming/streaking and good cleaning of hard to remove grease soils. Preferred compositions contain at least one cosurfactant. The compositions can be used to clean glass as well as for general cleaning purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a stain removing composition comprising (A) from about 5 to about 80 percent by weight of a polyol having from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and 2 to about 6 hydroxyl groups, (b) from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight ammonia, (C) from 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an ester, and (D) water. The compositions may additionally contain (E) a cleaner or surfactant. The invention also includes methods of removing stains from textiles. The stain removing compositions are effective in removing food dyes while not reacting with aniline (textile) dyes. The stain remover works on delicate fabrics, including silks. The stain removing compositions are environmentally safe and are free of chlorinated and petroleum distillate solvents.