Foil test

For the functional test of an ultrasonic bath, the foil test is recommended - at initial commissioning, then at regular intervals (e.g. ¼-yearly). The frequency of the test is the responsibility of the user. The foil test is a simple procedure for displaying the intensity and distribution of cavitation in an ultrasonic bath. For this purpose, an aluminium foil stretched on a foil test frame is inserted. This is perforated or destroyed by cavitation to a certain degree depending on the sonication time.

For the reproducibility of the test results, it is important that the test conditions are always the same:

- Filling the oscillating tank up to the filling level marking
- Temperature of the sonication fluid
- degassing time
- Positioning the frame
- Film type (brand, thickness)
- sonication duration
- Type and concentration of the ultrasound preparation

Liquid for the foil test:
In order to obtain sufficiently strong cavitation, the interfacial tension of the water used must also be reduced for the foil test with the help of preparations containing surfactants.
We recommend the following ultrasound preparations:

TICKOPUR R 33, TICKOPUR R 30, TICKOPUR TR 7,
TICKOMED 1, STAMMOPUR R, STAMMOPUR DR 8

If none of these preparations is available, a neutral or
mildly alkaline, non-aluminium-destroying preparation.
use. The preparation must be approved by the manufacturer for the use
be approved for use in an ultrasonic bath.

Test result and documentation:
If the test conditions are always the same, the test result is to be assessed according to the perforated area of the films. The perforated areas of the films should always have approximately the same extension and distribution - they are never congruent.
Regular foil tests are the only way to ensure constant process monitoring, e.g. for the reprocessing of medical devices.

In addition, the slides can be archived in a suitable way (scan, photo, etc.). Comparison of the slides is thus possible at any time.

Carrying out the foil test

1. Fill the oscillating tank with water and suitable ultrasound preparation in the dosage specified by the manufacturer up to the filling level mark.
2. Degas liquid (see instructions for use)
3. Stretch aluminium foil (household foil 10 μm to 25 μm thick) onto the foil test frame.
   Depending on the size of the tub, it may be that the
   frame sticks out.
   It is sufficient to cover the dipping frame part.
4. With the ultrasound switched off, place the covered foil test frame at an angle in the centre of the oscillating tank, fix if necessary, see video.
5. Switch on ultrasound and sonicate the film for at least 1 minute until visible perforation or hole formation occurs.
   With more stable films (thicker or coated), the
   The sound time should be up to 3 minutes.
6. Switch off the ultrasound, remove the foil and let it dry.
7. The foil must be perforated, see picture. Otherwise, an inspection of the device by the service department of BANDELIN electronic GmbH & Co. KG is recommended.
8. Archiving of the foil with test date and serial number of the ultrasonic bath. In addition, the documentation template for the foil test can be filled out and archived.
9. After the test, the oscillating tank must be rinsed thoroughly to remove any foil particles that have come out.

PDF file hdownload

Folio Test Documentation Sheet

The BANDELIN Foil test documentation sheet facilitates the documentation of the functional test of an ultrasonic bath.