How to Clean an Instron 

We have recently received several inquiries from Instron users seeking to keep their testing equipment as clean as possible during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some general guidelines for keeping your Instron clean without damaging surfaces or reducing functionality.

Always power down your equipment before cleaning it. Before applying a cleaner, spot check it on each surface to ensure compatibility. Do not spray disinfectant or cleaning products directly onto the equipment, but instead use wet wipes or use dampened cloths and wipe down any excess moisture after cleaning. Always use caution not to wet or dampen any electronic components.

How to Clean an Instron Static Frame

1. For high-contact areas such as the 5900 control panel or 6800 handset, Instron recommends cleaning with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or isopropyl alcohol (≤70%).
2. To clean the operator dashboard, power down the dashboard and use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, isopropyl alcohol (≤70%), or a household bleach solution (1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water). Refer to this list for alternate cleaning options.
3. When cleaning grips and fixtures, Instron recommends using Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or isopropyl alcohol (≤70%). Many Instron grips and fixtures require grease for moving parts. After cleaning, ensure that your grips or fixtures are properly greased by referring to their product manual.
4. For cleaning areas such as covers, basebeams, and crossheads, use a cloth dampened with alcohol or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

How to Clean a 9050 Pendulum 

1. Touch screen panel, switches, emergency stop: power down the instrument and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
2. Structure and shields: clean with a soft cloth dampened with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or mild disinfecting solutions (*). After cleaning, ensure that the reference surface for fixtures is properly greased to prevent corrosion.
3. Hammer, brake, and release knobs/levers on the 9050 manual version: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
4. Door handle and drawers handle: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
5. Fixtures: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).</li>

How to Clean a Melt Flow Tester

 

1. Key pad and power switch: power down the instrument and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
2. Oven area, die release, and piston: power down the instrument, let it cool down to room temperature and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
3. Encoder arm: power down the instrument, let it cool down to room temperature and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). After cleaning, ensure that the reference pins are properly greased to prevent their corrosion.
4. Manual mass selector handle: power down the instrument and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)
5. Handles of the compacting and cleaning tools: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)

How to Clean an HDT Vicat Tester

1. Touch screen interface: power down the instrument and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)
2.  Testing station weights: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)
3. Handles used to lower the testing stations and other surfaces close to the oil bath: power down the instrument, let it cool down to room temperature and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). Be particularly careful not to leak any fluid (or drop objects) into the oil bath.
4. Door handle on the HV6X model: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)

How to Clean an Impact Drop Tower

1. Key pad on the tower controller and power switch: power down the instrument and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*)
2. Tup holders and tups: clean with a soft cloth dampened with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions, (*) then dry it carefully.
3. Inserts: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). Instron inserts could require lubrication of the surfaces when not used. After cleaning, dry it and then ensure that your inserts are properly greased by referring to the user manual.
4. Fixtures: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). Instron fixtures might require lubrication of the surfaces. After cleaning, dry it and then ensure that your fixtures are properly greased by referring to the user manual.
5. Door handles on both the upper turret and lower enclosure – including the thermostatic chamber handle: clean with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). In case of thermostatic chamber, let it cool down to room temperature before starting any cleaning procedure.

How to Clean an Operator Dashboard

1. Clean with a soft cloth dampened with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). Dry it carefully.
2. Dashboard: power down the dashboard and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*), or a household bleach solution (1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water).
3. Main power switch: power down the dashboard and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).

How to Clean a Data Acquisition System

1. Structure and cover: clean with a soft cloth dampened with Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*). Dry it carefully.
2. Main power switch: power down the DAS and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).
3. Interface: power down the DAS and use Isopropyl alcohol (<=70%) or household disinfecting wipes or mild disinfecting solutions (*).

(*) e.g.: diluted solutions based on Sodium hypochlorite disinfecting products, which are commercially available for cleaning baby bottles and other household applications