Mechanical processes are used to remove tightly adhering contaminants

TM 38-260

WARNING

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB) IS A CANCER CAUSING SUBSTANCE. IT IS A POISONOUS

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT AND MUST BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE

WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, WHEN

THE SYSTEM CONTAINING THE PCB IS AT A LEVEL ABOVE 50 PARTS PER MILLION (PPM).

SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND TO CONTAIN PCBs INCLUDE HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS,

TRANSFORMERS, AND CAPACITORS. THEY SHALL, BE INSPECTED AND TESTED WITH

PROCEDURES FOUND IN 40 CFR PART 761.30(E)(1). PCB CONTAMINANTS MAY BE PRESENT IN

TANKS OR OTHER CONTAINERS WHICH ARE CONSIDERED OPE, OR THEY MAY HAVE

CONTAMINATED OTHER ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT WHICH ARE IN USE IN THE IMMEDIATE

VICINITY OF THE CHEMICAL. NEUTRALIZATION AND REMOVAL OF PCB CHEMICALS MUST BE

ACCOMPLISHED THOROUGHLY. A NEUTRALIZING AGENT MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY EITHER THE

USER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE CHEMICAL.

d. Process C-1, any applicable process. Process C-1 is any cleaning process or combination of processes

(mechanical or chemical) that will accomplish a thorough cleaning of an item of IPE without damage to the item or any

component thereof. The prime considerations here are the removal of all contaminants and protection of the

performance capability of the machine. The methods and materials used for cleaning may include but are not limited to

those listed in MIL-P-116 and this manual. Process C-1 can be used either when required by a specification, contract, or

when MIL-P-116 is cited as the cleaning guide without reference to any specific process.

(1) Mechanical processes are used to remove tightly adhering contaminants. These processes use

abrasive materials, pressure and power tools and often subject the item to severe treatment. Some of the processes are

wire brushing, impact tool cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, and buffing cleaning.

(a) Wire brushing (power/manual). Wire brushing may be used to remove loose paint, scale, rust, and other

deposits from noncritical surfaces. This method is commonly used on cast surfaces of such items as machine frames,

furnace shells, and structural iron components. Wire brushes should be made of the same material as the metal being

cleaned. Oily or greasy contaminants must be removed before wire brushing. Wire brushing will not remove tightly

adhered mill scale, oxides, or imbedded corrosion.

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