Foil test
Function testing of an ultrasonic bath
Information
A foil test
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is recommended for testing ultrasonic baths.
This should be conducted upon initial startup and at regular
intervals thereafter (e.g. every 3 months). The frequency of
testing is the responsibility of the user.
The foil test is a simple procedure for demonstrating the
intensity and distribution of cavitation in an ultrasonic bath.
It involves stretching aluminium foil over a foil testing frame,
which will be perforated or destroyed to a certain degree by
cavitation, depending on sonication time.
For purposes of reproducibility, it is
important that the test
conditions remain constant
:
• Filling the oscillation tank to the filling level mark
• Temperature of the sonication fluid
• Degassing
time
• Positioning of frame
• Foil type (brand, thickness)
• Sonication
time
• Type and concentration of ultrasonic agent
Fluid for the foil test:
In order to obtain a sufficiently strong cavitation effect, the foil
test also requires the surface tension of the water used to be
reduced using surfactant preparations.
We recommend the following ultrasonic agents:
STAMMOPUR DR 8, STAMMOPUR R, TICKOMED 1,
TICKOPUR R 33, TICKOPUR R 30, TICKOPUR TR 7
If none of these products are available, a neutral or mildly
alkaline product that does not destroy aluminium may be used.
The product must be approved by the manufacturer for use
in ultrasonic baths.
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Investigations on test procedures for ultrasonic cleaners. IEC/TR 60886 (1987-03)
Test results and documentation:
Assuming constant test conditions, the test result is
determined from the perforated surface of the foils.
The perforated areas of all foils should have approximately the
same extent and distribution – the results are never identical.
Consistency of process validation, e.g. for treatment of medical
devices, can only be ensured by regular foil tests.
As documentation of the test results, the following document
templates can be used.
A PDF for downloading and a usage video are
available at http://bandelin.com/folientest/.
Foils can also be suitably archived (scanning, photos, etc.).
This allows the foils to be compared at any time.
939aa GB/2020-07
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Foil test