Liquid cleaning compositions

Abstract

A liquid cleaning composition capable upon impact under pressure of cleansing a metal, plastic and the like surfaces is obtained upon preparing an aqueous alcoholic solution of a nonionic detergent, a monoalkylglycol ether, an alkali metal salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate, a sequestering agent, an alkali metal alkylbenzenesulfonate and an alkaline detergent builder. A redeposition retardant can also be present.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE

This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 253878 filed May 16, 1972, now abandoned, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention pertains to a novel cleaning composition having a variety of applications in industrial and household use. In particular, the liquid compositions of the present invention are characterized by their ability to cleanse metal, plastic and similar surfaces upon impact under pressure. While the utilization of these compositions is of course not limited to such impact cleansing, their ability to cleanse simply by being impinged upon a surface render them as extremely valuable agents in such applications as the cleansing of industrial metals, the automated washing of automobiles, trucks and similar vehicles, the cleansing of buildings and the like.

The present compositions are in liquid form, in particular in the form of an aqueous-alcoholic solution. The ratio of these solvents will vary depending upon the precise nature of the remaining ingredients, as discussed below, and the concentration of the various other ingredients in the aqueous-alcoholic solvent will in turn vary depending upon the stage of manufacture and the desired degree of dilution. Thus while the composition is initially prepared in solution form, this solution can, for purpose of economics, be extremely concentrated with further dilution by water, optionally with additional alcohol, being performed prior to actual use.

The material which is dissolved in the aqueous-alcoholic solution consists of a mixture comprising (a) from about 30 to about 50%, by weight of said mixture, of a least one nonionic detergent; (b) from about 15 to about 30%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one monoalkylglycol ether; (c) from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of said mixture, of an alkali metal salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate; (d) from about 0.5 to about 8%, by weight of said mixture, of a sequestering agent; (e) from about 0.5 to about 5.5%, by weight of said mixture, of an alkali metal alkylbenzenesulfonate; and from about 0.2 to about 0.8 eq.% of at least one basic detergent builder containing an alkali metal.

In addition to the foregoing ingredients, the composition can also contain from about 0.1 to about 3% of a redeposition retardant such as carboxymethyl cellulose or, preferably, polyvinylmethyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, either hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed.

As will be seen below, each of the foregoing components can consist of several different ingredients or a single ingredient.

The first component of the composition is a nonionic detergent. This well known class of substances are non-electrolytes, or at least electrolytic dissociation is not the basis of the water solubility. Rather their water solubility depends upon the long polyoxyethylene chain. These include such derivatives as the polyethyleneglycol esters of fatty acids and, more preferably, the polyethyleneglycol ethers of alkylphenols of the generalized formula alkyl--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (--O -- CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x --OH in which "alkyl" contains from 4 to 12 carbon atoms and x has a value of from about 6 to about 12. Typical of such substances are C.sub.8 H.sub.17 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 --(--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.10 --OH; C.sub.9 H.sub.19 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.6 --OH; C.sub.9 H.sub.19 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.9 --OH; C.sub.9 H.sub.19 --C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.10 --OH, and the like. It is to be understood that this component can be composed of several different nonionic detergents, either as a result of the method of manufacture of the detergent or through intentional mixing, to take advantage of the differences in solubilities and other properties associated with the length of the polyethyleneoxide chain and the alkyl group on the phenol ring. This component is present in the mixture at an amount of from about 30 to about 50%, by weight of the mixture, generally about 35 to 45% and preferably from about 40 to 44%.

The second component of the composition is a monoalkyl ether of ethyleneglycol, the alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms. These substances, which are also surfactants, act primarily as grease cutters and are typified by such materials as the monomethyl, monoethyl, monobutyl, monohexyl and the like monoalkyl ethers of ethyleneglycol, sold under the name "Cellosolve." Of these, the monobutyl ether of ethyleneglycol is preferred. One or more of these are present in the mixture in an amount of from about 15 to about 30%, by weight of the mixture, generally from about 16 to about 25% and preferably from about 18 to 24%.

The third component of the composition is an alkali metal salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate. The alkali metal cation may be either sodium or potassium, sodium being preferred. Since the final solution is highly basic, the free sulfonic acid may be used with formation of the salt in the course of preparation. The alkyl portions of these diesters will contain from about 4 to about 16 carbon atoms each. Thus included are the salts of the dibutyl, diisobutyl, dihexyl, dioctyl, ditridecyl, dihexadecyl and the like dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid. The wetting agents are well known and readily prepared through esterification of maleic anhydride with the appropriate alcohol followed by addition of an alkali metal bisulfide such as sodium bisulfide to the resulting maleate. This component is present in the mixture in an amount of from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of the mixture, preferably from about 1.5 to about 3%.

The fourth component of the composition is a sequestering or chelating agent such as the hydroxycarboxylic acids and preferably the aminopolycarboxylic acids. This latter group includes such materials as nitrilotriacetic acid, ethyleneglycolbis(.beta.-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The latter gives completely satisfactory results and is thus preferred on the basis of economics. These substances will generally be present in fully salified form in the final solution in view of its pH but again can be formulated in the free acid or a partially salified form. This component is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 8%, generally 1 to 6 and preferably from about 3 to about 4%, by weight of the mixture.

The fifth component of the composition is an anionic detergent. These include the sulfates of long chain fatty alcohols, the alkylsulfonates having 13 to 18 carbon atoms and the alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, generally 12, and may be branched (ABS) or straight chained (LAS). Again these materials are in the form of an alkali metal salt, generally the sodium salt. They are present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 5.5%, by weight of the mixture, generally from about 1 to about 5% and preferably about 2%.

The sixth component of the composition is at least one basic detergent builder containing an alkali metal. These include hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, metasilicates, phosphates and tetraborates of sodium and potassium. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a highly alkaline pH for the final product and thus while neutral inorganic salts can be added as builders, an alkali metal hydroxide and/or a salt of weak inorganic acids are necessarily present. Generally a hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide or a metasilicate, such as sodium metasilicate, or a combination thereof, is employed. The amounts of these materials utilized will vary depending upon their molecular weight and equivalence. Thus generally the total amount will be sufficient to supply from 0.2 to 0.8 equivalent-percent (eq.%). Equivalent percent is herein defined as (the number of equivalents of the builder .times. 100)/total weight of the mixture. Thus for example in a total mixture of 10 parts by weight, the presence of 2.805 parts of potassium hydroxide or 6.104 parts of sodium metasilicate would correspond to 0.5 eq.%.

The preferred alkaline materials are potassium and/or sodium hydroxide and sodium metasilicate, to which can be added a small amount of sodium carbonate. Thus for example one can employ from about 11 to 45% by weight of the mixture of potassium hydroxide (which corresponds to about 0.2 to about 0.8 eq.%), preferably about 20 to 30% by weight of the mixture (which corresponds to from about 0.35 to about 0.55 eq.%). Alternatively one can employ from about 24 to about 60% by weight of the mixture of sodium metasilicate (which corresponds to about 0.2 to 0.5 eq.%). Preferably a mixture of the two is employed; e.g., 19% by weight of potassium hydroxide (0.22 eq.%) and 26% by weight of sodium metasilicate (0.14 eq.%) to give a total of 0.36 eq.%.

As is readily apparent, the high concentration of either or both of the alkali metal hydroxide and the alkali metal salt of a weak organic acid result in a final solution having a high alkaline pH; e.g., at least 10 and generally 11 or more.

The seventh and optional, although preferred, component of the composition is at least one redeposition retardant. These include such materials as carboxymethyl cellulose and copolymers of polyvinylmethyl ether and maleic anhydride, which is preferred. Thus for example one can employ polyvinylmethyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer having a molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,500,000. In place of the anhydride, one can emply the copolymer in which the anhydride group has been hydrolyzed to form a diacid. These materials, when present, are utilized in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3%, by weight of the mixture, generally from about 0.2 to about 2% and preferably about 1%.

The various components are presented as a homogeneous solution in a mixture of water and a lower alkanol which contains from 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Typical of such alkanols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol and the like. Methanol and isopropanol are preferred. The ratio of alcohol to water will depend upon the nature of the particular composition and the concentration desired. Generally the ratio of alcohol to water will range from 1:4 to 1:60. Since the alcohol functions, at least in part, to maintain the various components in solution in a homogeneous fashion without separation, the amount of alcohol will depend upon the nature and composition of the alkaline builder added. Thus when an alkali metal hydroxide alone is employed, less alcohol will be required than if sodium metasilicate is present. Roughly speaking, approximately twice as much alcohol should be present for compositions containing sodium metasilicate as for those containing only an alkali metal hydroxide. In addition, the amount of alcohol will depend upon the concentration of the composition. Thus the compositions are initially compounded as solutions in which the mixture of active ingredients are present in the water and alcohol at concentrations ranging from about 5 to about 25% by weight. When utilizing the more dilute concentrations, the ratio of alcohol to water may be from about 1:60 to about 1:25, depending upon the nature of the alkaline builder, as discussed above. If on the other hand, a more concentrated preparation is initially prepared, e.g., 20%, the ratio of alcohol to water should be about 1:4. Intermediate concentrations such as about 13% can utilize a ratio of alcohol to water of from about 1:23 to about 1:10, again depending upon the alkaline builder employed. As noted, these solutions are further diluted prior to use, the degree of additional dilution depending upon the particular application and conditions of application. The degree of subsequent dilution may range from about 10:1 to about 90:1, a typical dilution being about 30:1.

Generally the composition is prepared by admixing the nonionic detergent, the monoalkylglycol ether, and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate alkali metal salt. To this is added a portion of the total water, generally from about one-quarter to one-third. When a homogeneous solution is obtained, the alkaline builders, the chelating agent and the cationic detergent, together with any redeposition retardant present, are added sequentially while adding additional water up to about 75 to 90% of the total water content. The alcohol is next added in an amount sufficient to complete the dissolution process and the composition then adjusted to its final dilution through the addition of the remaining water.

In addition to the active ingredients, the compositions may contain a perfume, coloring agents, additional diluents, and similar adjuvants which do not adversely affect the cleaning efficiency of the composition.

The foregoing description of the manner and process of making and using these compositions may be typified through a consideration of several typical and generalized formulations shown on the following table in which amounts of ingredients are expressed in parts by weight:

TABLE __________________________________________________________________________ nonylphenoxypoly- nonylphenoxypoly- (ethoxy)ethanol (ethoxy)ethanol sodium dihexyl tetrasodium Composition (ethylene oxide: (ethylene oxide: 2-butoxyethanol sulfosuccinate ethylenediamine- sodium dodecyl- potassium nonylphenol=9:1 nonylphenol=6:1) tetraacetic acid benzenesulfon- hydroxide to 10:1) ate __________________________________________________________________________ Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % __________________________________________________________________________ 1-a 4-1/2 39.3 1/2 4.2 2-3/4 24 9/32 2.5 1/8 1.1 1/8 1.1 3-1/8 27.3 1-b " 30.6 " 3.4 " 18.6 " 1.9 " 0.9 " 0.9 -- 0 1-c " 28.6 " 3.2 " 17.5 " 1.8 " 0.8 " 0.8 3-1/8 20 2-a 9 37 1 4.1 5-1/2 22.6 9/16 2.3 1 4.1 1/2 2 6-1/2 26.8 2-b " 29.4 " 3.3 " 18 " 1.8 " 3.3 " 1.6 -- 0 2-c " 27.4 " 3 " 16.8 " 1.7 " 3 " 1.5 6-1/2 19.8 3-a 18 37.8 2 4.2 11 23 1-1/8 2.6 2 4.2 1 2.1 12-1/2 26 3-b " 30.4 " 3.4 " 18.6 " 1.9 " 3.4 " 1.7 -- 0 3-c " 27.8 " 3.1 " 17 " 1.7 " 3.1 " 1.5 12-1/2 19.3 4-a 36 37 4 4.1 22 22.6 2-1/4 2.3 4 4.1 2 2.06 25 25.7 4-b " 30.4 " 3.4 " 18.6 " 1.9 " 3.4 " 1.69 -- 0 4-c " 27.4 " 3.05 " 16.7 " 1.7 " 3.05 " 1.52 25 19 5-a 50 34 10 6.6 27-1/2 18.6 7 4.75 10 6.6 7 4.75 31-1/4 21.2 5-b " 24 " 4.8 " 13.2 " 3.36 " 4.8 " 3.36 -- 0 5-c " 26 " 5.2 " 14.3 " 3.63 " 5.2 " 3.63 31-1/4 16.2 __________________________________________________________________________ polyvinylmethyl Composition sodium meta- sodium ether-maleic Total Mixture Amt. Amt. Methanol: Final silicate carbonate anhydride co- of Methanol of Water Water Concentration polymer __________________________________________________________________________ Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % Amt. % 1-a -- 0 1/32 0.25 1/32 0.25 11-15/16 100 4-1/8 248 1:60 4% 1-b 6-3/8 43 " 0.2 " 0.2 14-23/32 " 9-1/8 248 1:27 5.4% 1-c 4-1/4 27 " 0.15 " 0.15 15-23/32 " 9-1/8 248 1:27 5.8% 2-a -- 0 1/4 1 1/4 1 24-5/16 " 8-1/4 315 1:38 7.5% 2-b 12 39.2 " 0.8 " 0.8 30-1/16 " 18-3/8 315 1:17 8.5% 2-c 8-1/2 25.9 " 0.7 " 0.7 32-13/16 " 18-3/8 315 1:17 8.9% 3-a -- 0 1/2 1.05 1/2 1.05 47-5/8 " 16-1/2 282 1:17 12.5% 3-b 25 42.2 " 0.85 " 0.85 59-1/8 " 36-3/4 282 1:7.8 12.4% 3-c 17 26.2 " 0.77 " 0.77 64-5/8 " 36-3/4 282 1:7.8 13.3% 4-a -- 0 1 1.06 1 1.06 97-1/4 " 41 472 1:11.5 15.9% 4-b 46 38.9 " 0.85 " 0.85 118-1/4 " 73-1/2 472 1:6.5 17.9% 4-c 34 25.9 " 0.76 " 0.76 131-1/4 " 73-1/2 472 1:6.5 19.4% 5-a -- 0 3 2 3 2 147-3/4 " 136 536 1:4 18% 5-b 62 29.2 " 1.4 " 1.4 208-1/2 " 136 536 1:4 23.6% 5-c 42-1/2 22 " 1.5 " 1.5 190-1/4 " 136 536 1:4 22%. __________________________________________________________________________

As noted, these compositions are effective in the cleaning of stainless steel, aluminum, oxidized copper, plastic and the like. When sprayed as a hot solution against such materials, as well as painted surfaces, they remove not only dirt but also old wax and oxidized paint, leaving a clean and glossy surface. Moreover and quite unexpectedly, these compositions leave a protective coating which greatly facilitates the cleansing of the surface subsequent to the initial cleansing. The exact nature of this coating is not, at present, fully determined but its formation and advantageous properties are a distinct and highly desirable feature of the present composition.

The following examples will serve to further illustrate the nature of this invention without being construed as a limitation thereof, the scope of the present invention being defined solely by the appended claims.

EXAMPLE 1

Eighteen pounds of p-nonylphenylpoly(ethylene glycol) having a ratio of p-nonylphenol to ethylene glycol of 1:9 - 1:10, 2 lbs. of the corresponding material having a ratio of 1:6, 11 lbs. of 2-butoxyethanol, and 11/8 lbs. of sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate are admixed with one-fourth lb. of a commercial scent (sandalwood). One hundred twenty pounds of water are then added with agitation to form a homogeneous solution. While continuously adding water, 121/2 lbs. of potassium hydroxide, 2 lbs. of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 1 lb. of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate are sequentially added. The amount of water during this addition should be from about 215 to about 220 lbs. Sixteen and one-half pounds of methanol are then added and the solution is agitated until homogenity is achieved. Fifty-six pounds of water are finally added.

This composition is exceedingly effective for cleaning the painted portions of automobiles. When sprayed onto the surface of a dirty automobile at a dilution of 30:1 at high pressure, as for example, from abut 500 to about 600 psi, and temperatures, for example, from about 80.degree. to about 200.degree.F, dirt is removed without mechanical scrubbing. Painted surfaces are glossy an shiny. This glossy appearance is characteristic of the surfaces of painted metal after cleaning with the preferred compositions of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 2

The composition is prepared as in Example 1 except that one-half lb. of polyvinylmethyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer (M.W. 100,000 to 1,500,000) and one-half lb. of sodium carbonate are added with the potassium hydroxide. When an automobile is cleaned by directing a high pressure, hot spray of a 30:1 water dilution of this composition, the automobile becomes clean and exhibits a glossy appearance. This cleanliness and glossiness includes the bright work and especially the chromium surface parts. The composition of this example is more effective in cleaning the chromium surfaced parts than is the composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

A composition is prepared as in Example 1 except that after the addition of potassium hydroxide, 17 lbs. of sodium metasilicate are added and the methanol is increased to about 363/4 lbs.

This cleaning composition is an effective cleaner with characteristics similar to that of the composition of Example 1 with the additional advantage of being less caustic (as a result of the presence of the metasilicate). Effective cleaning compositions can thus be prepared with lower concentrations of hydroxide by including relatively larger amounts of metasilicate. Such compositions are preferred for those applications requiring or preferring compositions of relatively mild caustic effect.

EXAMPLE 4

A composition is prepared following the procedure of Example 3 and using the amounts of the components noted therein except that the composition does not include any potassium hydroxide and includes sodium metasilicate in an amount of 25 lbs. The composition is an effective cleaner utilizing mechanical scrubbing as an aid to obtain the desired cleaning effect.

EXAMPLE 5

The composition of Example 3 is employed in a two-step vehicle wash. The composition is first sprayed at low pressure over the vehicle and the vehicle is then rinsed with clear water. After about 10 to 20 minutes, a coating of high gloss develops on the vehicle.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning composition consisting essentially of an aqueous lower alkanolic solution, wherein the ratio of lower alkanol to water is from about 1:4 to about 1:5550, of not more than about 25% of a mixture consisting essentially of

a. from about 30 to about 50%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one water-soluble polyoxyethylene nonionic detergent;

b. from about 15 to about 30%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one monoalkyl ether of ethylene glycol, the alkyl group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms;

c. from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of said mixture, of an alkali metal salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate, in which each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 16 carbon atoms;

d. from about 0.5 to about 8%, by weight of said mixture, of a sequestering agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids and aminopolycarboxylic acids;

e. from about 0.5 to about 5.5%, by weight of said mixture, of an anionic detergent; and

f. from about 0.2 to about 0.8 eq.% of at least one basic detergent builder selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, metasilicates, phosphates and tetraborates of sodium and potassium and alkali metal salts of weak inorganic acids.

2. A composition according to claim 1 including from about 0.1 to about 3%, by weight of said mixture, of a hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed polyvinylmethyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer.

3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the nonionic detergent is an alkylphenol polyglycol ether of the formula alkyl--C.sub.6 H.sub.4 (--O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.x --OH in which alkyl contains from 4 to 12 carbon atoms and x has a value of from about 6 to about 12 and the anionic detergent is an alkali metal alkylbenzene sulfonate in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 16 carbon atoms.

4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the sequestering agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the basic detergent builder includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) an alkali metal hydroxide and (ii) sodium metasilicate.

6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises

a. from about 35 to about 45%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one alkylphenol-polyethyleneglycol ether in which the alkyl group contains from 4 to 12 carbon atoms and the molar ratio of ethylene glycol to alkylphenol is from about 6:1 to about 12:1;

b. from about 16 to about 25%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one monoalkyl ether of ethylene glycol wherein the alkyl group contains from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms;

c. from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of said mixture, of a sodium salt of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate in which each alkyl group contains from about 4 to about 16 carbon atoms;

d. from about 1 to about 6%, by weight of said mixture, of the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid;

e. from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of said mixture, of a sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 16 carbon atoms; and

f. at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) sodium or potassium hydroxide and (ii) sodium metasilicate, in an amount sufficient to supply from about 0.2 to about 0.8 eq.%.

7. A composition according to claim 6 including from about 0.1 to about 3% of a hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed polyvinylmethyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer.

8. A composition according to claim 6 wherein said mixture is in the form of a 4 to 22% solution in methanol:water, said methanol and water being present in a ratio to one another of from about 1:4 to about 1:60.

9. A cleaning composition consisting essentially of a methanol:water solution, wherein the ratio of methanol to water is from about 1:4 to about 1:30, of from about 5 to about 20% of a mixture consisting essentially of

a. from about 40 to about 44%, by weight of said mixture, of at least one alkylphenol-polyethyleneglycol ether in which the alkyl group contains 8 or 9 carbon atoms and the molar ratio of ethylene glycol to alkylphenol is from about 6 to about 10;

b. from about 18 to about 24%, by weight of said mixture, of monobutyl ether of ethylene glycol;

c. from about 1.5 to about 3%, by weight of said mixture, of sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate;

d. from about 3 to about 4%, by weight of said mixture, of tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid;

e. from about 1 to about 5%, by weight of said mixture, of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;

f. at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) from about 20 to about 30%, by weight of the mixture, of potassium hydroxide and (ii) from about 24 to about 60%, by weight of the mixture, of sodium metasilicate, the total amount of said members being present being sufficient to supply from 0.2 to about 0.8 eq.%; and

g. from about 0.2 to about 2%, by weight of said mixture, of a hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed polyvinylmethyl ethermaleic anhydride copolymer having a molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,500,000.

10. A process for cleaning a surface comprising spraying a composition according to claim 1 against the surface under pressure.

11. A composition according to claim 1, wherein component (e) is selected from the group consisting of sulfates of long chain fatty alcohols, alkylsulfonates having 13 to 18 carbon atoms and alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from 8 to 16 carbon atoms.