Ultrasonic Cleaning Services for Industrial and Commercial Applications

We specialise in ultrasonic cleaning services that deliver the highest standards of cleanliness for industrial and commercial applications. As a leading professional ultrasonic cleaner in the UK, we can ensure that every product or component meets stringent cleanliness standards, making our services ideal for a variety of industries including medical device manufacturing, aerospace engineering and precision components. Whether you need a commercial ultrasonic cleaner or outsourced ultrasonic cleaning services for critical components, our bespoke solutions are tailored to meet your exact requirements.

We have been a provider of sub-contract specialised and ultrasonic cleaning services for upwards of 40 years. In 2015, William Hughes considerably expanded its cleaning capability with the takeover of AC Services (South West) Ltd of Yeovil, Somerset, a company with over 30 years’ experience in ultrasonic cleaning, moving AC Services into the William Hughes Group headquarters in Stalbridge, Dorset.

The Ultrasonic Cleaning Process

Ultrasonic cleaning utilises high-frequency sound waves to agitate a cleaning solution, creating microscopic bubbles that collapse with tremendous force. This cavitation process effectively removes contaminants such as grease, oil, dirt, and particulates from complex geometries and hard-to-reach surfaces. Our ultrasonic cleaning process ensures thorough and efficient removal of residues without damaging delicate components, making it a preferred choice for high-precision industries.

The Process

1. Pre-cleaning Inspection

Visual to identify areas of high contamination.

2. Ultrasonic Bath Immersion

The component is fully submerged in a heated ultrasonic bath maintained at 45°C for optimum cavitation.

3. Cleaning Cycle

The ultrasonic transducers generate intense cavitation ensuring deep penetration into fluid channels and drilled ports.

4. Post-Cleaning Rinse

A high-purity deionised water rinse removes any residual detergent.

5. Drying and Post-Inspection

Components are air-dried using filtered compressed air and subjected to microscopic and UV inspection to verify cleanliness.

Why Choose Ultrasonic Cleaning?

The results of ultrasonic cleaning include:

  • Zero Detectable Residual Oils or Particulates – Verified through non-volatile residue testing, gravimetric and optical inspection.
  • Enhanced Functional Reliability – Component achieves consistent actuation force without variation across production batches.
  • Full Compliance with ISO Standards: The process meets all the necessary stringent cleanliness requirements.

Immersion Ultrasonic Cleaning

Immersion ultrasonic cleaning involves submerging components in a cleaning solution while high-frequency sound waves generate cavitation bubbles. These bubbles collapse at the surface, dislodging contaminants with precision. This method is ideal for complex geometries and delicate parts that require thorough cleaning without mechanical abrasion.

  • Ideal For: Precision-engineered wire forms, fine metallic components, and multi-part assemblies.
  • Advantages: Uniform cleaning coverage, effective removal of oils, particulate matter and machining residues.

Customer care is an essential element of our services and our quality control system has been developed to ensure that our clients are provided with the best possible service and product at all times. We maintain rigorous documentation and quality control to ensure full traceability and compliance.

Specifications include:

  • ARP 1176
  • WHPS 196
  • ASTM G93
  • NGPS 151
  • NGPS256
  • Def Stan 02-341 (NES 341)
  • Def Stan 02-372 Part 2
  • BSP-O-100 Rev 9T0

Approvals include:

  • Honeywell Aerospace
  • Meggitt Aerospace
  • Eaton Aerospace
  • Augusta Westland
  • GE

 

Clean Room Facilities

Our purpose-built clean room is designed to deliver an optimal cleaning environment, with controlled temperature, humidity, and particulate levels.
The clean room incorporates an inspection dark room so that parts can be viewed under ultra-violet light and is used for oxygen-related cleaning applications/ Typically, these comprise high precision machined components, springs and other parts that go into oxygen equipment such as breathing apparatus, face masks and ducting. Our facilities enable us to clean a wide range of components while adhering to stringent cleanliness standards. The clean room is maintained to ISO 14644 specifications, ensuring a contamination-free environment suitable for high-precision manufacture.
Our solvent and aqueous cleaning systems can accommodate precision parts up to 300 x 200 mm in size. Along with metallic parts, materials such as rubbers or plastics (or a combination of these with metal) can also be cleaned.

How Our Ultrasonic Cleaning Services Work – An Example of Aerospace Hydraulic Manifolds

Example components that would benefit from ultrasonic cleaning are typically manufactured from high-grade stainless steel or titanium alloys that are engineered to withstand environmental conditions.

During manufacture, the component may come into contact with a range of contaminants, including machining oils from milling and drilling processes, metal shavings and particulate residues from precision machining along with surface oxides resulting from heat treatments and welding. These residues pose significant risks to system performance, such as flow restriction caused by clogged channels, component degradation due to residual oils reacting with hydraulic fluids, and performance inconsistencies that can impact other elements within the system. Residual contaminants could compromise the integrity, leading to premature system failure or performance inconsistencies.

William Hughes can employ high-frequency ultrasonic cleaning (40 kHz) in conjunction with a tailored aqueous solution to achieve a high level of cleanliness. The cleaning solution would most likely be a mild alkaline detergent with strong degreasing properties, chosen to:

  • Break down hydrocarbon residues from machining oils
  • Ensure material compatibility with stainless steel and titanium alloys

The ultrasonic cleaning process is known to achieve a 99.9% reduction in contaminants. We can test this via gravimetric analysis and UV fluorescence testing, with the outcome being that cleaning extends the component’s operational lifespan and ensures compliance with industry-specific cleanliness standards.

Quality and Inspection Techniques

Post-cleaning, all components undergo a comprehensive inspection to verify cleanliness and quality. Our inspection includes:

  • Visual inspection for surface-level residues
  • Ultraviolet inspection to detect organic residues
  • Microscopic examination for microscopic contaminants
  • Endoscope and probe light inspection for internal geometries. These inspections ensure that every part meets our rigorous cleanliness criteria before leaving the facility.

Cleaned items are placed and sealed into a first bag and then hermetically sealed in an outer bag, this should not be opened again until required for further processing, such as assembly.

We can also offer in-house verification capabilities. Here, samples are taken from batches that have been cleaned. The samples are rinsed with filtered, deionised water over a 0.45um filter membrane. Any particulates captured are both counted and examined under a microscope. As a result, customers can rest assured that their components will always meet the specified particulate count.

Materials Suitable for Ultrasonic Cleaning

Our ultrasonic cleaning process is compatible with a wide range of materials singly or in combination, including:

Inconel

Ideal for high-temperature and corrosion-resistant applications such as aerospace and chemical processing.

Stainless Steels

Commonly used in medical devices and food processing due to corrosion resistance and strength.

Carbon Steels

Used in automotive and structural components, where precise cleanliness is essential for coating and finishing.

Copper and Copper Alloys

Valued for conductivity and corrosion resistance, essential in electronics and electrical components.

Aluminium & Aluminium Alloys

Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, used extensively in aerospace and automotive manufacturing.

Nickel and Nickel Alloys

Resistant to oxidation and corrosion, suitable for harsh environments in oil and gas applications.

Titanium and Titanium Alloys

Favoured in medical implants and aerospace applications due to their strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.

Plated or Anodised Components

Critical for applications requiring enhanced corrosion resistance or aesthetic finishes.

Ceramics

Used in electronics and high-temperature applications where surface cleanliness impacts performance.

Plastics (e.g. PEEK, PTFE, ABS)

Cleaned to remove processing residues, ideal for medical devices and technical applications.

Rubbers (e.g. Polysulfide, EPDM)

Specially cleaned to remove mould release agents and processing residues.
Or the above in any combination.

FAQs

Q1 How Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Work?

Ultrasonic cleaning works by generating high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning solution. These waves create bubbles that collapse with force, dislodging contaminants from surfaces and intricate geometries without damaging the component.

Q2 How is cavitation intensity calibrated to avoid erosion of sensitive materials?

Cavitation energy is precisely tuned via frequency modulation (typically 40–80 kHz) and power density controls. Materials like titanium or plated brass require lower cavitation intensity to avoid micro-pitting, while denser alloys may tolerate more aggressive parameters.

Q3 Which failure modes can ultrasonic cleaning help to mitigate in high-precision assemblies?

By removing submicron particulates, hydrocarbons, and oxides, ultrasonic cleaning mitigates flow restriction, dielectric breakdown, galvanic corrosion, and biofilm formation, common causes of premature failure in hydraulic manifolds, sensors, and surgical instruments.

Q4 How does ultrasonic cleaning compare to solvent or vapour degreasing in removing complex contamination?

Ultrasonic cleaning provides deeper penetration into internal geometries and blind holes. It effectively removes mixed-contaminant loads, such as machining oil residues, metallic fines, and oxide films, without the material compatibility issues or regulatory burdens associated with solvents.

Q5 How are inspection processes conducted post-cleaning?

Inspection techniques include visual inspection, ultraviolet analysis, microscope inspection, endoscope inspection, and probe light examination. These methods ensure that components meet stringent cleanliness standards, free from visible and microscopic contaminants.

Q6 Which aerospace standards do your ultrasonic cleaning processes comply with?

Our processes conform to ARP 1176, ASTM G93, NGPS1071, and these standards dictate particle count, non-volatile residue limits, and post-cleaning test protocols.

Q7 Can ultrasonic cleaning be employed prior to PVD, anodising, or electroplating?

Absolutely. Surface preparation via ultrasonic cleaning ensures optimal adhesion of coatings by eliminating oils, particulates, and oxides. This significantly improves coating uniformity, corrosion resistance, and surface finish consistency.

Q8 What is your maximum component capacity for ultrasonic cleaning?

We can accommodate components up to 300 x 200 mm in size in our clean room-compatible systems. For larger items, modular cleaning workflows are applied. Component dimensions, mass, and contamination type determine the specific process route.

Q9 Why are ultraviolet inspections conducted?

Ultraviolet inspections help detect residual organic substances that fluoresce under UV light. This method is particularly useful for verifying the removal of oils and greases.

Q10 How does William Hughes ensure traceability in clean room services?

We provide comprehensive documentation for each batch, including inspection reports and certificates of conformance, ensuring full traceability and compliance.