The Complete Guide to Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

Ultrasonic cleaning removes contaminants that manual scrubbing, spray washing, and soak tanks leave behind. But the ultrasonic bath itself is only half the equation. The cleaning solution you put in the tank determines what gets removed, how fast it happens, and whether the parts come out undamaged.

Plain water generates cavitation, but it lacks the chemical activity to break down oils, flux residues, oxides, or shop grime. The right ultrasonic cleaning solution lowers surface tension, improves cavitation intensity, and chemically attacks specific contaminants without damaging the substrate material. Choosing the wrong one wastes time, risks damage to parts, and can even void the warranty on your ultrasonic equipment.

This guide covers the types of ultrasonic cleaning solutions available, how they work, and how to match the right formulation to your cleaning application. Whether you are looking for an ultrasonic cleaning detergent for general maintenance, a specialized ultrasonic cleaner concentrate for electronics, or an acidic formulation for oxide removal, the information below will help you make the right selection. Every product referenced is part of the Branson ultrasonic cleaning chemical lineup carried by Process Equipment & Supply, Branson’s largest stocking distributor.

How Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions Work

An ultrasonic cleaner produces high-frequency sound waves that create millions of microscopic bubbles in the liquid bath. These bubbles form during low-pressure cycles and collapse violently during high-pressure cycles. This process, called cavitation, can generate local forces that help loosen contamination from wetted surfaces, including recesses and complex geometries. Effective cleaning also depends on liquid access, suitable chemistry and the process conditions.

Water alone will cavitate, but adding a cleaning solution to the bath does three things:

Helps wet the surface. Surfactants reduce surface tension and help the solution contact the part and its contamination. Cavitation behavior also depends on the formulation, temperature and equipment; lower surface tension alone does not establish cleaning performance.

Provides chemical cleaning action. The solution’s chemistry actively dissolves, emulsifies, or lifts specific types of contamination. An alkaline cleaner will saponify oils and greases. An acidic formulation will dissolve oxides and scale. An electronics-specific alkaline cleaner will break down flux residues and rosin without attacking sensitive components.

Prevents redeposition. Surfactants in the solution keep dissolved contaminants suspended so they do not settle back onto cleaned surfaces. Without this, parts can come out of the bath with a film of the very contamination you were trying to remove.

The combination of mechanical cavitation energy and targeted chemistry is what makes ultrasonic cleaning effective for industrial, laboratory, medical, and electronics applications. Choosing the best solution for ultrasonic cleaning means matching that chemistry to your specific contamination and substrate.

Types of Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

Ultrasonic cleaning solutions fall into several categories based on their pH, chemical composition, and intended application. You may see them referred to as ultrasonic cleaning detergents, ultrasonic cleaner solutions, ultrasonic cleaner liquid formulations, or ultrasonic cleaning fluids depending on the supplier. Some suppliers simply call them ultrasonic detergents. The terminology varies, but the selection criteria are the same. Understanding these categories is the first step to choosing the right product for your cleaning task.

Alkaline / General Purpose Solutions

Alkaline cleaners are the workhorses of ultrasonic cleaning. They operate at a pH above 7 and use a combination of surfactants, builders, and emulsifiers to remove oils, greases, fingerprints, coolants, waxes, and general shop soil. They are effective on a wide range of substrates including steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, and most plastics.

Branson GP General Purpose Cleaning Solution is a biodegradable, caustic-free alkaline concentrate formulated for general maintenance cleaning where soil levels are relatively light. It handles fingerprints, dust, packaging particulates, and light oils from metalworking and machining operations. GP is mixed with water at 10 to 12% concentration by volume and works at temperatures from ambient up to 180 degrees F (82 degrees C), with optimum performance at higher temperatures.

For applications with heavier soil loads, alkaline formulations with stronger surfactant packages or higher concentrations may be needed.

Alkaline Electronics Cleaners

Electronics cleaning presents a specific challenge: the contaminants (flux residues, rosin, solder paste, conformal coatings) are stubborn, but the substrates (PCBs, electronic assemblies, ceramic insulators, precision connectors) are sensitive. Standard general-purpose alkaline or acidic cleaners can damage components. Electronics-specific alkaline formulations bridge this gap with milder chemistry and specialized surfactant packages designed to dissolve electronics-specific soils safely.

Branson EC Electronics Cleaner is a biodegradable, phosphate-free and caustic-free concentrate formulated specifically for the electronics, plating, and related industries. EC removes oils, resins, rosins, and other soils from hard surfaces encountered in electronics manufacturing and assembly. Applications include cleaning infrared detectors, electrical contacts and leads, ceramic insulators, and through-hole or surface-mount PCB assemblies.

EC is mixed with water at 2 to 5% concentration by volume and used at temperatures from 130 to 160 degrees F (55 to 72 degrees C), with optimum cleaning at 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Process Equipment & Supply is a Branson chemistry specialist with a focus on EC and the full electronics cleaning workflow.

Metal Cleaners

Metal cleaning solutions are alkaline formulations optimized for removing heavier industrial soils from ferrous and non-ferrous metals. These include cutting oils, machining coolants, drawing compounds, stamping lubricants, and general manufacturing residue. The chemistry is more aggressive than general purpose cleaners, which is necessary for the tougher contamination but also means material compatibility needs closer attention.

Branson offers three metal cleaner concentrates, each formulated for different substrate and contamination combinations:

MC-1 Metal Cleaner is an alkaline concentrate safe for use on aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and other reactive metals. It produces no etching on aluminum and no attack on zinc, making it the right choice when cleaning mixed-metal assemblies or soft alloys.

MC-2 Metal Cleaner is a stronger alkaline formulation for steel and stainless steel parts with heavier soil loads. Note that MC-2 may cause slight etching on some aluminum alloys. If aluminum parts are in the cleaning batch, MC-1 or MC-3 is the safer choice.

MC-3 Metal Cleaner Concentrate is a versatile alkaline metal cleaner safe on aluminum as well as steel, brass, stainless steel, copper, and tin, with no etching or staining on any of these substrates. Like MC-1, MC-3 is safe on aluminum, making these two the right options when aluminum parts are in the cleaning batch. MC-3 is the go-to metal cleaning solution when you need a single chemistry that works safely across multiple metal types.

Industrial Strength Cleaners

For the heaviest industrial contamination, standard alkaline cleaners may not be enough. Industrial strength formulations use stronger surfactant systems and higher-alkalinity builders to tackle carbon deposits, heavy greases, baked-on oils, and other tenacious soils found in manufacturing, maintenance, and overhaul operations.

Branson IS Industrial Strength Cleaner is formulated for heavy-duty applications where standard cleaning concentrates fall short. IS handles the most demanding soil loads and is suitable for use on steel and stainless steel components. Because of its more aggressive chemistry, IS may cause slight etching on aluminum. Check the solution effects on metals chart on the IS product page before use.

Acidic Solutions: Oxide Removers

Acidic ultrasonic cleaning solutions operate below pH 7 and are formulated for deposits such as oxides, rust, scale and tarnish. Their effects depend on the product and metal. Check the product’s material-compatibility guidance before use.

Branson OR Oxide Remover is an acidic concentrate formulated to remove oxidation, tarnish, and light scale from steel, stainless steel, brass, and copper. OR is also safe on tin provided the solution temperature stays below 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). OR will attack aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. Always verify material compatibility before using any acidic solution.

Caustic Rust Strippers

Branson LRS Liquid Rust Stripper is a highly caustic alkaline cleaner for de-rusting and de-scaling ferrous metals, including steel and cast iron. It also serves heavy degreasing and paint-stripping applications. LRS is not an acidic cleaner. It attacks aluminum, magnesium and zinc, and the product chart lists slight attack on tin. Follow its product instructions and Safety Data Sheet.

Specialty Cleaners

Some cleaning applications require formulations tailored to specific contamination types that do not fall neatly into the categories above.

Branson BC Buffing Compound Remover is an alkaline concentrate designed to remove buffing compounds, polishing residues, and rouge from metal surfaces after finishing operations. BC is effective on steel, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and tin, though it may cause slight staining on brass. BC will attack zinc, so it should not be used on zinc or zinc-plated parts.

Branson DP2300 General Purpose Cleaning Powder is a powdered alkaline detergent for general purpose ultrasonic cleaning. The powder format offers long shelf life and easy storage, and it dissolves readily in warm water. DP2300 is a practical option for facilities that prefer a powdered concentrate over liquid formulations.

How to Choose the Right Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution

Selecting the correct ultrasonic cleaning solution comes down to three factors: the contamination you need to remove, the material you are cleaning, and the process conditions your equipment supports.

Match the Chemistry to the Contamination

The first question is always: what are you trying to remove?

Oils, greases, coolants, and general shop soil call for an alkaline cleaner. For light contamination, GP General Purpose at 10-12% concentration handles most jobs. For heavy machining oils and industrial grime, step up to IS Industrial Strength or an MC-series metal cleaner.

Flux residues, rosin, and electronics manufacturing soils require an electronics-specific alkaline cleaner. EC Electronics Cleaner at 2-5% concentration is formulated specifically for this class of contamination.

Rust, oxide, tarnish, and mineral scale need a cleaner formulated for the specific deposit and metal. OR Oxide Remover handles oxidation and tarnish. LRS Liquid Rust Stripper is a caustic alkaline option for heavy rust and scale on ferrous metals.

Buffing compounds and polishing residues are a specific category that resists standard alkaline cleaners. BC Buffing Compound Remover is formulated for this exact application.

Verify Material Compatibility

Not every cleaning solution is safe on every substrate. Acidic solutions dissolve reactive metals like aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. Some alkaline formulations can etch aluminum alloys. Using the wrong chemistry on the wrong material means damaged parts.

Each Branson product page includes a solution effects on metals chart that lists the interaction between that cleaning chemical and common metals including steel, brass, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, stainless steel/copper, and tin. Review the chart on the relevant product page before selecting a solution for any new application.

As a general rule: MC-1 and MC-3 are the safest choices for mixed-metal batches. EC is safe for electronics substrates including ceramic, glass, and most plastics. OR is safe on steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, and tin (tin below 140 degrees F only). LRS is intended for ferrous-metal applications; follow its product-specific material guidance.

Consider Your Process Conditions

Each ultrasonic cleaning solution has an optimal concentration range, operating temperature, and cycle time. These parameters affect both cleaning effectiveness and solution longevity.

Concentration. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dilution ratio. Under-diluted solutions waste chemical and can leave residue on parts. Over-diluted solutions lack the chemical activity to clean effectively. GP runs at 10-12% by volume. EC runs at 2-5%. The MC series runs at 7-10%, and IS at 8-10%. See the complete lineup table below for every product.

Temperature. Higher temperatures generally improve cleaning performance by increasing both chemical activity and cavitation intensity. But every solution has an operating range. EC works best at 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). GP can run up to 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Operating above the recommended range can break down solution chemistry and reduce cleaning effectiveness.

Cycle time. Longer is not always better. Over-cleaning can etch surfaces, particularly with acidic solutions or when cleaning reactive metals. Start with shorter cycles and increase as needed. When in doubt, run test samples before committing a production batch.

Dilution, Maintenance, and Replacement

Getting the dilution ratio right is the starting point, but maintaining the solution over time is what keeps cleaning results consistent.

Measure concentration accurately. Use the measurement method and units specified for the product, including whether a percentage is based on final solution volume. Measure liquid concentrate with suitable graduated equipment; follow the specified mass or volume method for powders. The example below illustrates liquid volume percentage only.

Monitor solution condition. Cleaning solutions become contaminated with suspended soil particles, dissolved oils, and degraded chemistry over time. This contamination dampens ultrasonic activity by coating the tank bottom and reducing cavitation efficiency. When cleaning times increase noticeably, or when parts are not coming out as clean as they did with fresh solution, it is time to change the bath.

Degas fresh solutions. Newly mixed solutions contain dissolved gases (usually air) that reduce effective cavitation. Run the ultrasonic bath for several minutes before loading parts to degas the solution. This step is easy to skip but makes a measurable difference in first-batch cleaning results.

Maintain proper solution level. Follow the operating-level mark and instructions for your ultrasonic bath, allowing for displacement by the basket and parts. Monitor level and concentration separately: evaporation and solution carried out on parts do not affect the bath in the same way. Replenish according to the cleaner’s instructions and the measured bath condition, rather than adding water or concentrate by habit.

Safety and Handling

All Branson ultrasonic cleaning chemicals are water-based, low-VOC formulations. Most are biodegradable, phosphate-free, and caustic-free. This makes them safer to handle and more environmentally responsible than solvent-based alternatives, while still delivering industrial-grade cleaning performance.

That said, standard chemical handling practices apply:

Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each product before use. SDS documents are available as downloadable PDFs on every product page at proequip.com.

Use appropriate PPE. Gloves and eye protection are recommended when handling concentrates. Even biodegradable, caustic-free formulations can cause irritation with prolonged skin contact.

Never use solvents or prohibited chemicals in your ultrasonic tank. If you are searching for an ultrasonic cleaner solvent, be aware that solvents, alcohol, gasoline, bleach, mineral acids, and any solution with a flash point should never be put in an ultrasonic bath. These chemicals can damage the tank, create hazardous conditions, and void the equipment warranty. Water-based ultrasonic cleaning solutions like the Branson lineup deliver industrial-grade cleaning performance without the safety risks of solvents. A complete list of prohibited chemicals is available on each Branson product page.

Dispose of spent solution responsibly. Even biodegradable cleaning solutions must be disposed of according to local regulations, especially after they have accumulated dissolved metals and industrial contaminants from the cleaning process.

The Complete Branson Ultrasonic Cleaning Chemical Lineup

Process Equipment & Supply carries the full range of Branson ultrasonic cleaning chemicals. Every product ships from stock with same-day shipping on orders placed before 2:00 PM EST, and orders over $125 ship free via ground.

Spec sheets, Safety Data Sheets, and the Branson Ultrasonic Cleaner Solutions Overview PDF are available for download on each product page. If you need help selecting the right cleaning solution for your application, call Process Equipment & Supply at 1-800-539-6336 or email sales@proequip.com.