Term: Alkaline Wash

Category: Chemistry

Definition: Alkaline washing refers to the process of treating surfaces with an alkaline solution (typically sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or sodium carbonate) to clean and remove fat deposits. In addition, it prepares the exposed surface for a chemical coating or subsequent treatments by improving the ability of these materials to wet out, adhere, and bond with the surface being treated. This process is often performed on items before being treated in an industrial, medical, or laboratory setting.

Common Uses: 

• Pre-treatment of metal, glass, or polymer surfaces before coating or painting
• Cleaning medical devices before sterilization or surface functionalization
• Preparation of hydrophilic coatings to improve adhesion and uniformity
• Industrial applications in electronics, automotive, and packaging industries

Related Content and Resources: 

Medical Device Surface Preparation For a Hydrophilic Coating