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Abrasion- The
wearing away or cleaning by friction. Abrasion can also relate to the wearing away of a
floor finish film by friction.
Abrasive- A product that works by abrasion. Products such as cleaners,
polishes and pads may contain an abrasive.
Acid- A compound that ionizes in water to produce hydrogen ions. It
readily donates protons to other substances and, when dissolved in water, creates
solutions that conduct electricity, taste sour and turns litmus paper red. Inorganic acids
(sometimes called mineral acids) include sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric.
Organic acids include acetic, oxalic, hydroxyacetic and citric. Acids are used in toilet
bowl cleaners, rust removers and hard water stain removers.
Active Ingredients- The ingredients in a product that are specifically
designed to achieve the product performance objectives.
Adhesion- One characteristic of soils or films which causes soils and
oils to stick or bond to surfaces making them difficult to remove.
Alcohols- Organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH
functional groups) in each molecule. Alcohols used in cleaners include ethyl, methyl,
propyl and butyl.
Aliphatic Solvents- These are sometimes referred to as
paraffins. They
are also referred to as straight chain or open chain solvents. Kerosene, Odorless Mineral
Spirits and Mineral Seal Oil are examples of aliphatic solvents.
Alkali or Base- Describes a solution formed when a base dissolves in
water to form a solution which contains more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions. Alkaline
solutions have a pH of more than 7, turn red litmus paper blue, and feel soapy because
they react with the skin. Alkalinity is exhibited in solution by alkalies such as sodium
or potassium hydroxide or alkaline salts such as sodium carbonate. A substance used in
some wax strippers, degreasers and cleaners to assist in soil and finish removal.
Ammonia- An alkaline gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen. Aqueous
solutions of with 5-10% ammonia are sold as household ammonia.
Amphoteric Surfactant- A surfactant that, in water solution, may be
either anionic or cationic, depending upon the pH.
Anhydrous- A product that has had all of the water removed.
Anion- An ion with a negative charge, formed when an atom gains electrons
in a reaction. The atom now has more electrons than protons.
Anionic Surfactant- Negatively charged part of a molecule. Anionic
surfactants are widely used in high-sudsing detergents.
Antiredeposition Agent- An ingredient used in detergents to help prevent
soil from redepositing on surfaces or fabrics. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is the
most widely used.
Aromatic Solvents- Solvents made of compounds that contain an unsaturated
ring of carbon atoms, typified by benzene structures. Xylene and toluene are aromatic
solvents sometimes referred to as Ring Hydrocarbons.
Atom- The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical
properties of that element. The atoms of many elements are bonded together in groups to
form particles called molecules. Atoms consist of three main types of smaller particles.
These include the electrons, protons and neutrons.
Biodegradable- The ability of a substance to
be broken down into simpler, smaller parts by a biological process. Many plastics are not
biodegradable.
Bleach- A product that cleans, whitens, removes stains and brightens
fabrics.
Boiling Point- The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor state
at a given pressure.
Buffer- In chemistry, any substance in a fluid which tends to resist a
sudden change in pH when acid or alkali is added. Buffering is provided by complex
phosphate builders, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate and sodium citrate. Usually a
solution of a weak acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid.
Builder- A material that upgrades or protects the cleaning efficiency of
a surfactant. Builders inactivate water hardness, supply alkalinity to assist cleaning,
provide buffering to maintain alkalinity, prevents redeposition of soil and emulsification
of oily and greasy soils.
Build-up- A heavy deposit of floor finish, wax, dirt and grime. It is
caused by adding layer after layer of floor finish over dirt without deep scrubbing the
old layers away first. These build-ups are frequently found along baseboards and corners.
Calcium Carbonate- An inorganic compound
that occurs naturally as chalk and limestone. Its very slight solubility in water is a
chief cause of "hardness" in water.
Catalyst- An element or compound that accelerates the rate of a chemical
reaction but is neither changed nor consumed by it.
Cation- An ion with a positive charge, formed when an atom loses
electrons in a reaction. The atom now has more protons than electrons.
Cationic Surfactant- A surfactant with a positively charged ionic group.
The most common cationic surfactants are known as quaternary ammonium compounds
such as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These are widely used as disinfectants
and sanitizers.
Caustic- Strong alkaline substance which irritates the skin.
Ceramic Tile- Clay tile with an impervious, usually glossy, layer on the
surface.
Chelating Agent- An organic sequestering agent used to inactivate hard
water and other metallic ions in water. Additives in detergents for inactivating the
minerals in water that interfere with cleaning. Ingredients include ethylene diamine
tetraacetic acid (EDTA), NTA and sodium citrate.
Chemical Reaction- Any change which alters the chemical properties of a
substance or which forms a new substance. During a chemical reaction, products are formed
from reactants.
Chemical Symbol- A shorthand way of representing an element in formula
and equations. Sodium Chloride is represented in chemical symbols by NaCl (Na is Sodium
and Cl is Chlorine).
Chemistry- The study of substances. What they are made of and how they
work. It is divided into three main branches -- physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry
and organic chemistry.
Chlorinated Solvents- An organic solvent that contains chlorine atoms as
part of the molecular structure. Examples include methylene chloride and
trichloroethylene.
Chlorine Bleach- A group of strong oxidizing agents commonly sold in an
approximately 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite. Care should be taken to never mix
chlorine bleach with ammonia or hydrochloric acid.
Cleaning- Cleaning is locating, identifying, containing, removing and
disposing of unwanted substances (pollutants) from the environment. It is our most
powerful means of managing our immediate surrounding and protecting our health.
Cleanser- A powdered or liquid cleaning product containing abrasives,
surfactants and frequently a bleach.
Cloud Point- The temperature at which a surfactant becomes insoluble in
water. This becomes important when designing detergents for use in hot water.
Coagulation- An irreversible process in which a number of emulsion
droplets coalesce, leading to complete separation of the emulsion.
Colloid- A type of solution in which the particles are not dissolved but
are dispersed throughout the solvent or medium and held in suspension.
Compatibility- The ability of two or more substances to mix without
objectionable changes in their physical or chemical properties.
Compound- A combination of two or more elements, bonded together in some
way. It has different physical and chemical properties from the elements it is made of.
Compounds are often difficult to split into their elements and can only be separated by
chemical reactions.
Concrete- A mixture of sand, gravel, Portland cement and water that forms
a very hard surface when dry. It is one of the most common floor types found in buildings.
Other types of floors like vinyl and vinyl composition tile are often laid over the top of
concrete.
Corrosion Inhibitor- A material that protects against the wearing away of
surfaces. Sodium silicate is a corrosion inhibitor commonly used in detergents.
Critical Micelle Concentration- The concentration of a surfactant in
solution at which the molecules begin to form aggregates called micelles while the
concentration of surfactant in solution remains constant.
Defoamers- Substance used to reduce or eliminate
foam.
Degreaser- A specialty product that removes grease and greasy/oily soils
from hard surfaces. Basic ingredients include surfactants that penetrate and emulsify
along with alcohol or glycol derivatives to boost cleaning.
Deionized Water- Water from which charged or ionizable organic or
inorganic salts are removed.
Deliquescent- Describes a substance which absorbs water vapor from the
air and dissolves in it, forming a concentrated solution. Calcium chloride is an example.
Density- Equal to its mass divided by its volume.
Detergent- A washing and cleaning agent with a composition other than
soap. Detergents unlike soaps are less sensitive to minerals in water.
Diffusion- The spontaneous and even mixing of gases or liquids.
Dispersing Agent- A material that reduces the cohesive attraction between
like particles.
Dispersion- A colloidal system characterized by a continuous (external
phase) and a discontinuous (internal phase). Uniformity of dispersions can be improved by
the use of dispersing agents.
Distilled Water- Water which has had salts removed by distillation. It is
very pure, but does contain some dissolved gases.
Dwell or Contact Time- Describes the time
Efflorescent- Describes a crystal which loses
part of its water of crystallization to the air. A powdery coating is left on its surface.
The forming of a white powdery substance on the surface of concrete or brick is an
example.
Electrolytes- Substances capable of conducting an electric current,
either in their pure liquid state or when in solution. Acids, bases and salts are all
electrolytes.
Electrostatic Attraction- Attractive force between two oppositely charged
ions.
Elements- A pure substance that cannot be broken down into smaller
substances. Elements are considered the building blocks of all matter. There are just over
100 known elements classified in the periodic table.
Elements, Compounds and Mixtures- These are the three main types of
chemical substances. All substances are made of elements, and most are a combination of
two or more elements.
Emulsification- The action of breaking up fats, oils and other soils into
small particles which are then suspended in a solution.
Emulsion- A two-phase liquid system in which small droplets of one liquid
are uniformly dispersed throughout the second. An oil in water (O/W) emulsion, is one in
which the continuous phase is aqueous, while a water in oil (W/O) +-emulsion is one in which
the continuous phase is oil.
Enzyme- Protein molecules produced within an organism that are used as
catalysts for biochemical reactions.
Etch- A chemically caused change on the outside of a smooth floor surface
which causes the floor to be pitted or rough.
Eutrophication- An overgrowth of aquatic plants caused by an excess of
nitrates, nitrites and phosphates. It results in a shortage of oxygen in the water,
causing the death of aquatic life.
Evaporation- A change of state from liquid to gaseous (vapor), due to the
escape of molecules from the surface. A liquid which evaporates readily is described as
volatile.
Evaporation Speed- Expressed in relation to the evaporation rate of
n-Butyl Acetate which is standardized at 1.0. All products with evaporation rates greater
than 1.0 are faster evaporating than n-Butyl Acetate and conversely numbers lower than 1.0
indicate a slower rate.
Exothermic Reaction- A reaction in
which heat is given off to the surroundings as the products of the reaction are formed.
The addition of high concentrations of sodium hydroxide to water produces an exothermic
reaction.
Fatty Acid- An organic substance which reacts
with a base to form a soap. Tallow and coconut oil are examples.
Flashpoint- The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor
in sufficient concentration to ignite when tested.
Flocculation- A reversible process in which a number of emulsion droplets
stick together to form a cluster which can be broken up by mechanical action restoring the
emulsion to its original form.
Foam- A mass of bubbles formed on liquids by agitation. Foam can be
unstable, transient or stable depending upon the presence and nature of the components in
the liquid.
Gas Form of Matter- A gas has no shape,
diffuses readily, and assumes the full-volume shape of any closed container. Gas molecules
are widely distributed and can move in any direction.
Grains Hardness- A measure of water hardness. The actual amount of
dissolved calcium and magnesium salts measured in parts per million.
Hard Water- Water which contains calcium and
magnesium salts that have dissolved from the rocks over which the water has flowed. Water
that does not contain these salts is called soft water. There are two types of hardness --
temporary hardness, which can be removed relatively easy and permanent hardness, which is
more difficult to remove.
Heterogeneous- Describes a substance which varies in its composition and
properties from one part to another. Properties differ from place to place within the
solution.
HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance)- A property of a surfactant which is
represented by an arbitrary scale of 0-20 wherein the most hydrophilic materials have the
highest numbers. The HLB of a nonionic surfactant is the approximate weight of ethylene
oxide in the surfactant divided by 5.
Homogeneous- Describes a substance which is the same throughout in its
properties and composition.
Humidity- A measure of moisture in the atmosphere. It depends on the
temperature and is higher in warm air than cold air.
Hydrophilic- A descriptive term applied to the group or radical of a
surfactant molecule that makes or tends to make it soluble in water. Associated with the
hydrophilic portion of a surfactant molecule is the opposite hydrophobic (water-hating)
portion.
Hydrotrope- A substance that increases the insolubility in water of
another material, which is only partially soluble.
Hygroscopic- Describes a substance which can absorb up to 70% of its own
mass of water vapor. Such a substance becomes damp, but does not dissolve.
Insolubility- The inability of one substance
to dissolve in another.
Interfacial Tension- A measure of the molecular forces existing at the
boundary between two phases. It is expressed in dynes/cm. Liquids with low interfacial
tension are more easily emulsified.
Ions- An electrically charged particle, formed when an atom loses or
gains one or more electrons to form a stable outer shell. All ions are either cations or
anions.
Liquid Form of Matter- A liquid assumes the shape of its container. The
molecules of a liquid are in constant motion and do not have the fixed arrangement found
in solids.
Matter- Any substance that has mass (weight) and
occupies space. It exists in any of three forms including a solid, liquid or gas.
Micelle- A spherical grouping of detergent molecules in water. Oils and
greases dissolve in the hydrophobic center of the micelle.
Miscibility- A term often used interchangeably with solubility. It is the
ability of a liquid or gas to dissolve uniformly in another liquid or gas.
Mixture- A blend of two or more elements and/or compounds which are not
chemically combine. A mixture can usually be separated into its elements or compounds
fairly easily by physical means.
Molecules- The smallest particle of an element or compound that normally
exists on its own and still retains its properties. Molecules normally consist of two or
more atoms bonded together. Some molecules have thousands of atoms. Ionic compounds
consist of ions and do not have molecules.
Neutral- A chemical state that is neither acid nor
alkali. A pH of 7 is considered neutral.
Neutral Cleaner- A floor cleaner that has a pH that is compatible with
the finish to be cleaned. Generally this means a pH of between 7-9. Higher pH floor
cleaners can attack the floor finish and dull it.
Nonionic Surfactant- A surface active agent that contains neither
positively or negatively charged functional groups. These surfactants have been found to
be especially effective in removing oily soil.
Oxidation- To combine with oxygen. Slow oxidation
is typified by the rusting of a metal.
Oxidizing Agent- A substance that accepts electrons in an
oxidation-reduction reaction. A substance that causes the oxidation of a reactant
molecule.
pH- A measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a
substance. It is expressed in a number from 0-14. Zero being a powerful acid and 14 being
a powerful alkali. Distilled water is a 7.
Phosphates- A substance that is added to a detergent to increase its
water softening ability.
Physical Properties- Qualitative and Quantitative properties that
describe a substance. They include smell, taste, color, melting point, density, hardness
etc.
Pine Oil- An oil process from gum of pine trees.
Polar Solvent- Water is the most common polar solvent.
Porous- A surface that was many tiny openings. A porous surface will
require more finish or sealer to fill and smooth out these openings.
Precipitate- Material settled out of solution.
Preservatives- Floor finishes are susceptible to bacterial contamination.
This is why finishes contain small amounts of antimicrobial agents to prevent microbial
deterioration. These preservatives protect the unopened container, but do not
substantially protect finish after it has been used. This is why it is important to never
pour used floor finish back into a container of unused finish.
Reagent- A substance used to start a chemical
reaction. In the laboratory, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide are
reagents.
Salt- An ionic compound formed by the reaction between
an acid and a base.
Saponification- The process of converting a fat into soap by treating it
with an alkali. Also the process used by some to remove grease and oil.
Saturated- Describes a solution that will not dissolve any more solute at
a given temperature. Any more solute will remain as crystals.
Scientific Method- A standardized way that scientists research and find
answers to questions and problems.
Sequestering Agents- Chemicals that tie up water hardness and prevent the
precipitation of hard water salts. This action causes clarity in liquid soap.
Soils- Describes a wide group of substances that attach themselves to
surfaces creating a pollutant. Soils loosely attach themselves to surfaces by surface
tension, electrical attraction or chemical bonding.
Solid Form of Matter- A solid holds its shape and volume even when not in
a container. The molecules of a solid are tightly compacted and move only slightly.
Solvents- A liquid which dissolves another substance. Water is the most
common solvent.
Specific Gravity- The ratio of the weight of a given volume of a liquid
to the weight of an equal volume of distilled water. Water
at that temperature has a specific gravity of 1. If the specific gravity of the
other substance is greater than 1 it floats in water; if less than 1 it sinks.
States of Matter- A substance can be solid, liquid or gaseous. Substances
can change between states, normally when heated or cooled to increase or decrease the
energy of the particles.
Surface Tension- The attractive forces which liquid molecules have for
each other.
Surfactant- Substances which lower the surface tension of water. These
surface-active agents modify the emulsifying, foaming, dispersing, spreading and wetting
properties of a product.
Suspension- The process of a cleaning agent holding insoluble dirt
particles in the cleaning solution and keeping them from redepositing on a clean floor.
Synergistic- Chemicals that when combined have a greater effect than the
sum of the two independently.
Synthetic Detergents- These are sometimes called soapless detergents.
They are typically made from by-products of refining crude oil. They do not form a scum in
hard water and lather better than soaps.
Thinner - A liquid used to reduce the viscosity of
a coating and that will evaporate before or during the cure of a film.
Titration- A procedure that uses a neutralization reaction to determine
the normality (the number of equivalents per liter of solution) of an unknown acid or base
solution.
Universal Solvent- Water is called the
universal solvent because it dissolves both ionic compounds and polar molecular compounds.
Water usually cannot dissolve nonpolar molecules.
Use-Dilution- The final concentration at which a product is used.
Vapor Pressure- Describes a measure of a
liquids tendency to evaporate. Every liquid has a characteristic vapor pressure that
changes as the internal temperature of the liquid changes. Generally, as the temperature
of a liquid increases, its vapor pressure also increases.
Viscosity- The thickness of a liquid which determines
pourability. Water
has a viscosity of 1 centipoise. The resistance to flow is measured in relationship to
water in centipoise.
Volatile- The part of a product that evaporates during drying.
Water Hardness- A measure of the amount of
metallic salts found in water. Hard water can inhibit the action of some surfactants and
reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Weight per Gallon- The weight per gallon of any liquid is determined by
multiplying the weight of a gallon of distilled water (8.33 lbs.) by the specific gravity
of the liquid.
Wetting Agent- A chemical which reduces surface tension of water,
allowing it to spread more freely. |
