Aerosol composition and aerosol can containing the same

Abstract

This aerosol composition includes the following component (A) and component (B): a fluorine-based solvent as component (A), and a helium gas propellant as component (B).　Through the present invention, the propellent force of the aerosol is continuously maintained at a high level to the end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol composition suitable for cleaning contaminants such as oils and fats on the surface made of metal, resin, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an invention in which a fluorine-based non-flammable cleaning agent is filled in an aerosol can, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-200989 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 17979), is known. Further, as injection agents for liquefied gas, dimethyl ether (DME), isobutane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), etc. are known, and as injection agents for compressed gas, nitrogen, carbon dioxide gas, nitrous oxide, compressed air, etc. are known. Liquefied gas has high volatility and tends to have a large spray pattern (cross section perpendicular to the injection direction of the fluid), and in some cases, the cleaning agent may not reach the contaminated part. On the other hand, depending on the type of compressed gas, although it is considered to be due to the gas dissolving in the stock solution, the pressure inside the aerosol can may decrease during use. Therefore, in order to continuously maintain the pressure inside the aerosol can, it was necessary to fill a large amount of compressed gas. Nevertheless, as the compressed gas is consumed, the injection force of the cleaning agent may tend to decrease finally.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] As described above, according to the prior art, it has been difficult to accurately clean the contaminated part by keeping the injection force as an aerosol continuously high until the end and keeping the spray pattern narrow.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide an aerosol composition capable of continuously maintaining a high injection force until the end. Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol composition capable of maintaining a narrow spray pattern while continuously maintaining a high injection force until the end. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol can and a cleaning method using the above aerosol composition.

[0005] As a result of diligent research to achieve the above objective, the inventors of the present invention discovered that the aerosol composition described in detail below and the aerosol can containing it can continuously maintain a high aerosol spraying force until the very end, thus completing the present invention.

[0006] The gist of the present invention is described below. The first embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol composition comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) Component: Fluorine-based solvent (B) Component: Helium gas as a propellant.

[0007] A second embodiment of the present invention is the aerosol composition according to the first embodiment, wherein component (A) consists solely of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.

[0008] A third embodiment of the present invention is the aerosol composition according to the first embodiment, wherein component (A) comprises cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.

[0009] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is the aerosol composition according to the third embodiment, wherein component (A) comprises cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and a hydrofluoroolefin, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, hydrofluoroether, hydrofluorocarbon, or perfluoropolyether.

[0010] A fifth embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol composition according to any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the propellant of component (B) consists solely of helium gas.

[0011] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol composition according to any of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the propellant of component (B) consists of helium gas and another propellant.

[0012] A seventh embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol composition according to any of the first to sixth embodiments, used for cleaning.

[0013] The eighth embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol can filled with the aerosol composition described in any of the first to seventh embodiments.

[0014] The ninth embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol can having a double-walled structure with an inner bag inside, wherein the following component (A) is filled into the inner bag and the following component (B) is filled between the aerosol can and the inner bag: (A) Component: Fluorine-based solvent (B) Component: Helium gas as a propellant.

[0015] The tenth embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol can according to the ninth embodiment, wherein a cylindrical member is attached which can be fitted into the discharge port of an actuator mounted on the stem of the aerosol can and which has a flow path for discharging component (A) to the outside of the aerosol can.

[0016] An eleventh embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol can according to the tenth embodiment, wherein the flow path at the end of the cylindrical member having the flow path that discharges to the outside of the aerosol can is tapered in shape, either widening at the end or narrowing at the bottom.

[0017] A twelfth embodiment of the present invention is a cleaning method for cleaning contaminants adhering to a contaminated area by spraying component (A) from an aerosol can described in any of the eighth to eleventh embodiments.

[0018] A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is the cleaning method described in the twelfth embodiment, wherein the contaminated part is a brake device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an aerosol can according to the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present disclosure is not limited only to the following embodiments. In this specification, "X to Y" means a range including the numerical values (X and Y) described before and after it as the lower limit value and the upper limit value, and means "X or more and Y or less". Also, concentration and % represent mass concentration and mass %, respectively, unless otherwise specified, and the ratio is a mass ratio unless otherwise specified. Further, unless otherwise specified, measurements of operations and physical properties are performed under the conditions of room temperature (20 to 25°C) / relative humidity 40 to 55%RH. Also, "A and / or B" means including each of A and B and combinations thereof.

[0021] [Aerosol Composition] The aerosol composition according to one aspect of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as "aerosol composition" or simply "composition") contains the following component (A) and component (B): Component (A): Fluorinated solvent Component (B): Helium gas as an aerosol.

[0022] The aerosol composition according to one aspect of the present invention can continuously maintain a high injection force until the end. Also, the spray pattern is precisely and narrowly formed. Therefore, according to the aerosol composition according to one aspect of the present invention, a means for efficiently cleaning the contaminated part is provided. Here, the "spray pattern" represents a region where the aerosol composition spreads in a plane orthogonal to the direction in which the aerosol composition is sprayed at a predetermined distance from the spray port.

[0023] Although the details of this mechanism are unknown, as will be described in detail in the following item <(B) component>, it is considered that the helium gas as an aerosol contained as the (B) component contributes to the maintenance of a high injection force and the control of the spray pattern. Note that such a mechanism is based on speculation, and the correctness of the mechanism does not affect the technical scope of the present invention. <0​<(A) component> The (A) component contained in the aerosol composition according to the present invention is a fluorinated solvent. The fluorinated solvent only needs to contain fluorine atoms, and in addition to fluorine atoms, the fluorinated solvent may further contain other atoms such as other halogen atoms, hydrogen atoms, carbon atoms, oxygen atoms, and nitrogen atoms.

[0025] As the (A) component, it is usually preferable to use a fluorinated solvent used in detergents. Such fluorinated solvents include fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon solvents such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFO) and hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFO); fluorinated saturated hydrocarbon solvents such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC); and fluorinated solvents such as hydrofluoroethers (HFE) and perfluoropolyethers (PFPE). These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0026] As the (A) component, a fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent is preferable. Therefore, in the aerosol composition according to the present invention, a preferred form is that the (A) component contains a fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent. Another preferred form is that the (A) component consists essentially of a fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent. In this specification, when a certain component "consists essentially of substance X", it means that the incorporation of impurities of about 0.5 to 1% by mass or less is allowable. Furthermore, another preferred form is that the (A) component consists only of a fluorinated unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent.

[0027] Furthermore, it is particularly preferable that the (A) component contains hydrochlorofluoroolefins, also called HCFO, which are chlorine-fluorine-based solvents. Therefore, in the aerosol composition according to the present invention, a preferred form is that the (A) component contains HCFO. Another preferred form is that the (A) component consists essentially of HCFO. Furthermore, another preferred form is that the (A) component consists only of HCFO.

[0028] Examples of such HCFOs include 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and dichlorotrifluoropropene. The HCFO may be the cis isomer, the trans isomer, or a mixture of the cis and trans isomers. Considering volatility and cleaning power, cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene is the most preferred fluorine-based solvent as component (A). This solvent is also preferable in terms of ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP), which will be discussed later. Therefore, in the aerosol composition according to the present invention, a preferred form is one in which component (A) contains cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Another preferred form is one in which component (A) consists substantially of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Furthermore, another preferred form is one in which component (A) consists solely of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene.

[0029] Examples of commercially available cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene include the SOLVIA® series manufactured by Solvex Co., Ltd., but are not limited to this.

[0030] If component (A) contains components other than HCFO, it may further contain hydrochlorofluorocarbons (also known as HCFCs), hydrofluoroolefins (also known as HFOs, which may have ether groups), hydrofluoroethers (also known as HFEs, which do not contain unsaturated groups), hydrofluorocarbons (also known as HFCs), and perfluoropolyethers (also known as PFPEs, which do not contain hydrogen atoms). These may be used individually or in combination of two or more. When two or more are used in combination, the content of component (A) refers to the total amount.

[0031] The combination of HCFO contained in component (A) with other fluorinated solvents is preferably a combination of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrofluoroolefins, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluoropolyethers. Furthermore, component (A) is particularly preferably a combination of cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and perfluoropolyether.

[0032] In component (A), if HCFO and other fluorinated solvents are included, the mass ratio of HCFO to other fluorinated solvents is not particularly limited, but is preferably 98:2 to 50:50 (HCFO: other fluorinated solvent, the same applies hereinafter), more preferably 95:5 to 60:40, and particularly preferably 90:10 to 70:30.

[0033] Component (A) is non-flammable and is the main component that exhibits a cleaning effect on contaminants. Therefore, when the aerosol composition is used for cleaning, the volatility of component (A) has a significant impact. Hence, the boiling point of component (A) is preferably 30 to 150°C, more preferably 30 to 100°C, and particularly preferably 30 to 50°C. A boiling point of 30 to 150°C, and even more preferably 30 to 100°C, provides good drying properties. Furthermore, component (A) may be, for example, a highly volatile component with a boiling point of 30 to 100°C alone, or it may contain, in addition to a highly volatile component with a boiling point of 30 to 100°C, a less volatile component with a boiling point exceeding 100°C (upper limit: around 150°C), but is not limited to these.

[0034] Component (A) has a very low ozone depletion potential (ODP), which can reduce the burden on the environment. The ozone depletion potential is a value calculated by dividing the total ozone depletion per 1 kg of each compound by the total ozone depletion per 1 kg of trichlorofluoromethane, and is used when comparing the intensity of ozone depletion. The ozone depletion potential of component (A) is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 10 or less, particularly preferably 5 or less, and most preferably 3 or less (lower limit: 0).

[0035] (A) Component has a very low global warming potential (GWP), which can reduce the burden on the environment. The global warming potential is an index that expresses the effect of individual greenhouse gases on global warming relative to the effect of carbon dioxide, taking into account the duration of the effect. Specifically, the global warming potential is a value calculated by dividing the cumulative value of the radiant energy that a unit mass (e.g., 1 kg) of greenhouse gas releases into the atmosphere over a certain period of time (assuming 100 years) by the cumulative value of the radiant energy of CO2 under the same conditions. A global warming potential of 10 or less is preferable, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 5 or less, and most preferably 3 or less (lower limit: 0).

[0036] <(B) component> Component (B) contained in the aerosol composition according to the present invention is helium gas as a propellant. According to the aerosol composition according to the present invention, the spray force as an aerosol can be maintained at a high level continuously until the end. Furthermore, even when it is required to clean a small area, the spray force (internal pressure) of the helium gas allows the cleaning component (component (A)) to be accurately sprayed into a specific area, and the spray force does not diminish until the end. Although the exact mechanism for such effects is not clear, it is presumed that helium gas has no or very low solubility in component (A), which allows it to maintain a high spray force compared to other compressed gases. Furthermore, it is presumed that when a specific amount of component (A) is filled into an aerosol can of a specific capacity, a particularly high spray force can be obtained compared to other compressed gases. In addition, when component (B) is used, the aerosol composition does not easily spread out in a fan shape from the nozzle as a spray pattern, and component (A) spreads on the contaminated area after hitting it, thus suppressing volatilization during spraying.

[0037] As shown in the examples described later, component (B) exhibits equivalent or greater spray force compared to compressed gases other than component (B), even with a smaller amount filled into the aerosol can. Therefore, since less component (B) is added relative to the aerosol can's capacity, more component (A) can be filled in.

[0038] In the aerosol composition according to the present invention, a preferred form is one in which component (B) (propellant) consists substantially of helium gas. Another preferred form is one in which component (B) (propellant) consists solely of helium gas.

[0039] Component (B) may further contain other propellants besides helium gas. Therefore, another preferred form is one in which component (B) (propellant) contains helium gas. Furthermore, another preferred form is one in which component (B) (propellant) consists of helium gas and other propellants (other propellants). The other propellants included in the above forms can be propellants commonly used in aerosol compositions, and may be liquefied gases or compressed gases.

[0040] Examples of liquefied gases include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and dimethyl ether. Examples of compressed gases include nitrogen gas, nitrous oxide gas, carbon dioxide, compressed air, and mixtures thereof.

[0041] However, from the viewpoint of maintaining a consistently high spray force as an aerosol until the end, if component (B) contains a propellant other than helium gas (another propellant), the content of the other propellant is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, and particularly preferably 10% by mass or less (lower limit: 0% by mass) relative to the total mass of component (B). Furthermore, from the above viewpoint, it is preferable that component (B) substantially does not contain other propellants. Note that "substantially does not contain" means that other propellants are not included at least intentionally. Therefore, aerosol compositions that inevitably contain trace amounts of other propellants due to raw materials, manufacturing methods, etc., can be included in the concept of an aerosol composition that substantially does not contain other propellants as referred to herein. Hence, "an aerosol composition that substantially does not contain other propellants" includes not only aerosol compositions in which component (B) does not contain any other propellants at all, but also, for example, aerosol compositions in which component (B) contains 0.01% by mass or less of another propellant.

[0042] <Optional ingredients> The aerosol composition of the present invention may further contain any components other than components (A) and (B), as long as they do not impair the properties of the present invention. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, surfactants, ultraviolet absorbers, antioxidants, rust inhibitors, fragrances, and solvents other than component (A).

[0043] <Method and amount of filling for each component> A conventionally known method can be used to fill an aerosol can with the aerosol composition of the present invention. For example, the above components (A) and (B) may be mixed and filled in the same space of the aerosol can, or the components may be filled separately in stages by first filling the aerosol can with component (A), sealing it with a lid equipped with a valve, and then injecting the compressed component (B) (compressed gas) through the valve.

[0044] As a preferred form, for example, 180 g of component (A) is filled into a 220 mL aerosol can, and then 0.1 g of component (B) is filled in. In this case, the amount of component (B) added is preferably 0.01 to 0.20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of component (A). That is, the aerosol composition according to the present invention preferably contains 0.01 to 0.20 parts by mass of component (B) per 100 parts by mass of component (A). Furthermore, in the aerosol composition according to the present invention, the amount (content) of component (B) added is more preferably 0.01 to 0.15 parts by mass, and particularly preferably 0.03 to 0.10 parts by mass, per 100 parts by mass of component (A).

[0045] The amount of component (A) filled into the aerosol can relative to its capacity is preferably 70% by volume or less, and more preferably 60% by volume or less. On the other hand, the lower limit is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, 1% by volume or more, and more preferably 10% by volume or more. Furthermore, it is preferable to determine the amount of propellant filled depending on the amount of the stock solution corresponding to component (A) of the present invention filled into a specific capacity of the aerosol can, but the internal pressure of the aerosol can is preferably 0.3 to 1.0 MPa.

[0046] [Aerosol can] The present invention further provides an aerosol can containing the above aerosol composition. That is, another aspect of the present invention is an aerosol can containing the above aerosol composition.

[0047] A known aerosol can can be used as the aerosol can in which the aerosol composition of the present invention is filled. Preferred forms of aerosol cans are described below.

[0048] An aerosol can according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a valve inside the can body, and a stem is attached to the valve. By fitting an actuator (a button having a discharge port (also referred to as a spray port)) onto the stem, the spray direction of the aerosol composition can be changed.

[0049] Furthermore, the aerosol can may further have the following cylindrical member: that is, the aerosol can may be fitted into the discharge port of an actuator attached to the stem of the aerosol can, and may have a cylindrical member having a flow path for discharging the (A) component to the outside of the aerosol can.

[0050] A cylindrical member is a component used to extend the discharge port (spray port) and is also called an "extension nozzle." More specifically, the above-mentioned cylindrical member (hereinafter, a cylindrical member that is roughly straight and has a flow path inside is called an "extension nozzle") is a component having a flow path for discharging the aerosol composition outside the aerosol can and can be used by fitting it into the discharge port (spray port) of an actuator mounted on the stem. The longer the extension nozzle, the greater the spray force required. Normally, extension nozzles are straight, but the spray pattern can be controlled by appropriately setting the inner diameter of the flow path, so the inner diameter of the flow path of the extension nozzle is preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In addition, the spray pattern can also be changed by making the flow path tapered, either widening or narrowing, at the end that discharges the aerosol composition outside the aerosol can (i.e., the end opposite to the end fitted to the actuator). In other words, the cylindrical member may be formed with a tapered shape, with the end on the side that discharges the aerosol composition (the aerosol discharge section: i.e., the side opposite to the side that is fitted into the actuator) being widened in diameter, or with the end being narrowed in diameter, resulting in a tapered shape.

[0051] As aerosol cans, double-walled cans with an inner bag communicating with a valve are also known. A double-walled can generally has a structure in which a pressure-resistant container (can body) and an inner bag housed inside the pressure-resistant container are constructed. As for the specific structure of such a double-walled can, known structures can be used as they are or modified as appropriate. For specific structures of double-walled cans, refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-160783 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-100406, but are not limited thereto.

[0052] Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is one in which component (A) is filled into an inner bag and component (B) is filled between the container and the inner bag. That is, another aspect of the present invention is an aerosol can having a double-walled structure with an inner bag inside, wherein the following component (A) is filled into the inner bag and the following component (B) is filled between the aerosol can and the inner bag: (A) Component: Fluorine-based solvent (B) Component: Helium gas as a propellant.

[0053] In other words, another aspect of the present invention is an aerosol can comprising: an inner bag having a first space capable of containing component (A); and a can body having a second space for containing component (B) which is located outside the inner bag and isolated from component (A).

[0054] <Double-walled can (aerosol can with a double-walled structure)> Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an aerosol can 300 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the aerosol can 300 according to this embodiment comprises an inner bag 310 and a can body 320.

[0055] The inner bag 310 forms a first space 311 capable of containing the fluorine-based solvent L as component (A). The can body 320 is configured to accommodate the inner bag 310 inside. The can body 320 is positioned outside the inner bag 310 and isolated from the fluorine-based solvent L, and includes a second space 321 for containing the propellant as component (B) isolated from the fluorine-based solvent L. For a description of component (A), please refer to the section <Component (A)> above. The propellant as component (B) is not shown in the figures, but it is a component that discharges the fluorine-based solvent L from the inner bag 310, and for a description of this component, please refer to the section <Component (B)> above.

[0056] In this embodiment, the aerosol can 300 is constructed with a double-layered structure consisting of an inner bag 310 and a can body 320.

[0057] The aerosol can 300 is configured such that a metal mountain cap 330, equipped with a spray valve 340, is clinched with an inner bag 310 in between, creating a sealed structure. The inner bag 310 can be made of, for example, metal foil, plastic film, rubber, etc. The clinched portion seals the inner bag 310 and the can body 320.

[0058] The second space 321 between the can body 320 and the inner bag 310 is filled with a propellant as component (B). Meanwhile, the first space 311 of the inner bag 310 is filled with a fluorine-based solvent L as component (A), which is the sprayed material. When the actuator button 350 is pressed down to open the spray valve 340, the inner bag 310 is pushed by the pressure of the propellant in the second space 321, and the contents, the fluorine-based solvent L, can be sprayed to the outside. At this time, the fluorine-based solvent L can be sprayed in a mist or in a rod shape with a narrower spray angle than a mist.

[0059] Because the clinched portion seals the inside, it prevents the compressed gas from the second space 321 from leaking over time. As a result, the internal pressure does not drop, and the fluorine-based solvent L, which is the contents, can be sprayed and dispensed stably.

[0060] With the double-walled can described above, component (B) presses against the inner bag, pushing component (A) out of the can. Since a small amount of component (B) can increase the internal pressure, it can be suitably used in this double-walled can.

[0061] Furthermore, the double-walled can described above may also be further equipped with the extension nozzle described above.

[0062] [Washing method] As described above, the aerosol composition and aerosol can according to the present invention are suitable for cleaning because they can continuously maintain a high spraying force.

[0063] Therefore, the present invention also provides a method for cleaning a contaminated area using the above-mentioned aerosol can. That is, another aspect of the present invention is a cleaning method (hereinafter also referred to simply as "cleaning method") in which the above-mentioned component (A) is sprayed from the above-mentioned aerosol can to clean contaminants adhering to the contaminated area.

[0064] The cleaning method according to the present invention includes spraying at least component (A) onto a contaminated area (specifically, contaminants adhering to the contaminated area) from an aerosol can filled with the aerosol composition according to the present invention, or from the above-mentioned double-walled can (aerosol can having a double-walled structure) filled with component (A) and component (B), respectively. Here, the time for spraying component (A) is not particularly limited and can be appropriately determined depending on the size of the contaminated area, etc. For example, when using an aerosol can filled with the aerosol composition according to the present invention (an aerosol can that is not a double-walled structure), it is about 0.1 seconds to 5 minutes. More specifically, when using the above-mentioned aerosol can with a capacity of about 135 mL, it is preferable to spray for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. As another example, when using the above-mentioned double-walled can, it is preferable to spray for about 1 minute to 3 minutes. When using a double-walled can, component (A) can be sprayed for a relatively long time. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the structure of the can used during cleaning considering the size of the contaminated area and the type of object to be cleaned. The cleaning temperature is also not particularly limited, for example, it is about -5 to 35°C.

[0065] The cleaning method according to the present invention may further include cleaning with water or other solvents before and / or after spraying component (A) from the aerosol can as described above. It may also further include drying after such cleaning. In this case, the cleaning and drying conditions (temperature, time, etc.) are not particularly limited and are appropriately determined depending on the size of the contaminated area and the type of object to be cleaned.

[0066] The object (contaminated part) targeted by the cleaning method according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but preferred contaminated parts include automobile parts. Specifically, preferred examples of contaminated parts include all parts with dirt adhering to them, such as drivetrain parts, valve train parts, braking system parts, internal combustion system parts, and electrical system parts of an automobile. In other words, the cleaning method of the present invention can be broadly applied to contaminated parts such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, crankcases, transmission cases, injectors, manifolds, wheels, suspensions, propeller shafts, and parts attached thereto.

[0067] In the cleaning method according to the present invention, the contaminated part to be cleaned, to which contaminants are attached, is particularly preferably a brake device. More specifically, it is particularly suitable for brake calipers, brake drums, and parts attached thereto.

[0068] The contaminants adhering to the brake system are not particularly limited, but may include, for example, wear particles including shavings from brake pads or brake shoes, and oily contaminants. Around the brake system, along with the finely scattered shavings, oily contaminants originating from the sliding parts of the vehicle or from the surrounding environment such as the road surface are present. Therefore, both a physical cleaning effect due to the aerosol spray pressure and a cleaning effect due to the solubility of the cleaning agent are required. Consequently, a relatively high spray pressure is necessary to clean the area around the brake system with an aerosol composition for cleaning, and the aerosol composition and aerosol can according to the present invention are useful for such applications because they can continuously maintain a high spray force.

[0069] [Application fields / uses] The aerosol composition and aerosol can according to the present invention maintain a consistently high spray force as an aerosol. Furthermore, the aerosol composition and aerosol can according to the present invention allow for the formation of a precisely narrow spray pattern, enabling efficient cleaning of contaminated areas. Moreover, the aerosol composition according to the present invention is non-flammable and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for use in a variety of fields and applications.

[0070] Suitable application fields and uses of the present invention include, but are not limited to, cleaning of industrial machinery, transport vehicles, electrical and electronic equipment, and industrial parts. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in transport vehicles such as automobiles and trains. Examples of contaminated parts that can be cleaned by the aerosol composition, aerosol can, and cleaning method of the present invention include the brake systems of transport vehicles, but the present invention is also suitable for cleaning other types of machinery. In particular, it may be usable for cleaning contaminated parts containing non-metallic materials such as resins such as polycarbonate and ABS, and fibers. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to applications other than cleaning, such as applications where it is necessary to dissolve oils and solids that are contaminants, such as gear oil and brake fluid, for example, the removal of adhesives and glues. In addition, the present invention can be used to clean contaminated areas on metal or resin surfaces that are contaminated with oils and greases. [Examples]

[0071] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Also, the aerosol composition will be simply referred to as the composition, and the aerosol can filled with the composition will be simply referred to as the aerosol. Unless otherwise specified, each of the following operations was carried out in an environment of 25°C and 55% RH.

[0072] [Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1-3] The following components were prepared to create the aerosol composition.

[0073] (A) Component: Fluorine-based solvent • cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO) (SOLVIA® registered trademark (boiling point: 39°C, ODP: 0, GWP: less than 1), manufactured by Solvex Co., Ltd.) • Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) (GALDEN® SV135 (Boiling point: 130°C, ODP: 0), manufactured by Solvay Japan Ltd.) (B) Component: Helium gas as propellant Helium gas (B') component: propellant other than component (B) • Carbon dioxide (carbonic acid gas) Nitrogen gas.

[0074] The aerosols for Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were manufactured as follows.

[0075] • Example 1 A 220mL aerosol can was filled with 180g (136mL) of SOLVIA® (component A), and then filled with 0.1g of helium gas (component B).

[0076] • Example 2 The procedure was the same as in Example 1, except that a mixture of SOLVIA® and GALDEN® SV135 was used in a mass ratio of 85:15 instead of SOLVIA® in component (A). The amount of this mixture used was 180g.

[0077] • Comparative Example 1 The procedure was the same as in Example 1, except that component (B) was replaced with carbon dioxide (component (B')) and 5g was filled.

[0078] • Comparative Example 2 The procedure was the same as in Example 2, except that component (B) was replaced with carbon dioxide (component (B')) and 5g was filled.

[0079] • Comparative Example 3 The procedure was the same as in Example 1, except that component (B) was replaced with nitrogen gas (B').

[0080] In the above embodiments and comparative examples, an actuator having a spray button was attached to the stem of the aerosol can valve, and an extension nozzle was fitted into the spray port of the actuator. The extension nozzle used had an inner diameter of 1.1 mm.

[0081] Table 1 below shows the mass (in g) of each component contained in the compositions of each of the above examples and comparative examples. In Table 1 below, blank spaces indicate that the corresponding component is not present.

[0082] [Table 1]

[0083] For Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1-3, which were aerosols, initial spray volume measurements, spray pattern confirmation tests, and cleaning power confirmation tests were performed. The results of these measurements and tests are summarized in Table 2 below.

[0084] [Initial injection amount measurement] Each aerosol was used in an unused state, and the composition was sprayed into a poly cup by pressing the spray button for 10 seconds. The amount of composition in the poly cup was measured and defined as "spray volume (g / 10 seconds, 25°C)".

[0085] [Check spray pattern] A flat piece of corrugated cardboard was fixed to the table perpendicularly using a base. The nozzle of an extension nozzle was pointed perpendicularly to this cardboard sheet, maintaining a distance of 15 cm between the cardboard sheet and the nozzle. The actuator's spray button was pressed for 2 seconds to spray the composition onto the cardboard sheet. Since the spray pattern would be circular or elliptical if the dripping composition was not considered, the vertical and horizontal diameters of the composition adhering to the sheet were measured, and their average was calculated. The values ​​obtained in this way are recorded in Table 2 as "vertical spray area (cm) / horizontal spray area (cm)" in the spray area. Subsequently, the aerosol was continued to spray, and the spray state just before the composition stopped being dispensed was observed as the "spray end state".

[0086] [Cleaning power verification test] After placing 1g of oil in a glass bottle, 50mL of component (A) was added and the lid was closed. The glass bottle was shaken by hand for 10 seconds, then left to stand for 5 minutes, and the "cleaning ability" was evaluated by visual observation. The evaluation was carried out according to the following evaluation criteria. The types of oil used were gear oil (Castrol GL-3 75W-90) and brake fluid (Toyota Motor Corporation DOT3). To maintain cleaning ability, it is preferable that both types of oil be rated "○". Here, cleaning power refers to the ability to dissolve the oil or to lift and emulsify the oil.

[0087] Evaluation Criteria ○: The oil is completely emulsified or dissolved. △: There is residue where the oil has not been emulsified. ×: The composition and oil separate.

[0088] [Table 2]

[0089] Comparing the initial injection volumes of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, it was found that the compositions of the examples had a high injection force despite being extruded at a high speed and having a low helium gas filling volume.

[0090] Furthermore, regarding the spray area, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the composition spreads out in a fan shape from the nozzle opening of the extension nozzle, and this spread area is considered to correspond directly to the spray area. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, because the spray force is very high, the composition (spray area) spreads after the composition directly hits the cardboard sheet, so the spray area is slightly larger than that of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. However, the size of the spray area with the compositions of Examples 1 and 2 is still within a sufficiently practical range. In Comparative Example 3, although the composition directly hits the cardboard sheet, the spray force is weak and the spray area does not spread, so the apparent spray area is smaller than that of Examples 1 and 2. Furthermore, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the spray force is not as low as in Comparative Example 3, but the spray force is not that high, and the spray area does not spread, similar to Comparative Example 3. Therefore, the apparent spray area is smaller than that of Examples 1 and 2. It should be noted that in the examples, it is possible to control the spray area with precision and maintain the spray force continuously until the end by reducing the inner diameter of the flow path of the extension nozzle.

[0091] Furthermore, regarding the final state of the spray, in Examples 1 and 2, the composition could be sprayed with undiminished force until the very end. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the spray weakened towards the end, becoming a mist. In Comparative Example 3, the spray weakened so much that it could not reach the cardboard sheet, and the composition was sprayed in a parabolic trajectory. In addition, in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the remaining amount of composition was zero, but in Comparative Example 3, the remaining amount of composition was a large 43.5g. From this, it can be seen that the spraying force did not weaken until the very end in the examples.

[0092] Furthermore, regarding the cleaning properties, as shown in Examples 1 and 2, good cleaning properties are maintained whether cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO) is used alone as component (A) or whether cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HCFO) is mixed with other components (perfluoropolyether (PFPE)). [Industrial applicability]

[0093] The aerosol composition of the present invention can clean oils and solids adhering to contaminated parts of industrial machinery parts, transportation equipment parts, electrical and electronic components, and civil engineering, construction, and structural materials made of metal or plastic, while effectively suppressing the erosion of metals and plastics. Furthermore, the aerosol composition of the present invention is non-flammable and environmentally friendly, making it suitable for use in a variety of fields and applications.

[0094] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-023786, filed on 17 February 2021, and its disclosures are referenced and incorporated as a whole. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 300 aerosol cans, 310 inner bag, 311 1st space, 320ml can body, 321 2nd space, 330 Mountain Cap 340 Injection Valve 350 Buttons (Actuators) L Fluorine-based solvent.

Claims

1. An aerosol composition for use in cleaning, comprising the following components (A) and (B), wherein the amount of component (B) is 0.01 to 0.20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of component (A). (A) Component: Fluorine-based solvent (B) Component: Helium gas as a propellant Here, component (A) comprises cis-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and perfluoropolyether.

2. The aerosol composition according to claim 1, wherein the propellant of component (B) consists solely of helium gas.

3. The aerosol composition according to claim 1, wherein the propellant of component (B) consists of helium gas and another propellant.

4. An aerosol can filled with the aerosol composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A cleaning method comprising spraying component (A) from the aerosol can described in claim 4 to clean contaminants adhering to a contaminated area.

6. The cleaning method according to claim 5, wherein the contaminated part is a brake device.

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