EP2041255B1

EP2041255B1 - Alkaline floor cleaning composition and method of cleaning a floor

Info

Publication number: EP2041255B1
Application number: EP06787100A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karen O. Rigley; Joseph Thekkekandam
Original assignee: Ecolab Inc
Current assignee: Ecolab Inc
Priority date: 2006-07-14
Filing date: 2006-07-14
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-14
Also published as: AU2006346055B2; JP2009543896A; ATE481470T1; WO2008008063A1; MX2008016156A; PL2041255T3; DE602006017002D1; AU2006346055A1; JP5567336B2; CA2654596A1; BRPI0621856B1; CN101479373A; CN101479373B; EP2041255A1; EP2075323A1; BRPI0621856A2

Abstract

An alkaline floor cleaning composition concentrate in the form of a solid is provided. The alkaline cleaning composition concentrate can be used to remove fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil from a floor surface.

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an alkaline floor cleaning composition and to a method of cleaning a floor using an alkaline floor cleaning composition. The alkaline floor cleaning composition is available for the removal of fresh, greasy soils and polymerized soils commonly encountered in the food service industry.

Background of the Invention

Two types of greasy soils are often encountered on floors in the food service industry. One type of soil can be preferred to as fresh, greasy soil, and the other type of soil can be referred to as polymerized soil. Fresh, greasy soils can result from the presence of fatty soil, which can comprise, for example, a neutral fatty acid triglyceride ester and similar neutral fats, and free fatty acids or salts thereof. The fatty acid salts can be formed from a cation such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, ferric, ferrous, etc. Polymerized soil refers to fats and fatty derivatives that have likely been polymerized through cross-linldng in a manner similar to that of drying oils such as linseed oil. Polymerized soils present a different challenge compared to fresh, greasy soils.
Fresh, greasy soils can deposit on the floor and these greasy soil deposits can polymerize and adhere to the floor surface through cross linking. A type of floor surface often encountered in the food service industry can be referred to as quarry tile. In general, quarry tile is often arranged in a grid-like pattern to form a flooring surface and contains a cement-like material called grout provided in the joints between the quarry tile.
Traditionally, an alkaline or neutral cleaner is used for removing fresh, greasy soil from the floor and an acidic cleaner is used for removing polymerized soil from the floor surface. A product to clean fresh, greasy soils is available under the name KADET®-AF All Surface Floor Cleaner from Kay Chemical Company. A product available to clean fresh greasy soil and polymerized soils is available under the name KADET® Quarry Tile Floor Cleaner from Kay Chemical Company.
EP 1 580 302 A1 discloses a composition for cleaning comprising an alkyleneoxyalkylphophate diester - or triester as corrosion inhibitor.

Summary of the Invention

An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate in the form of a liquid is provided according to the present invention. The alkaline cleaning composition concentrate comprises 15 wt.% to 65 65.% water, 5 wt.% to 25 wt.% surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises a mixture of anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxybates, sulfonates, sulfates and nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of benzyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and alkyl-capped polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols; polyalkylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylene diamine; alcohol alkoxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene glycol ethers carboxylic acid esters carboxylic amides and polyalkylene oxide block copolymers including an ethylene oxide/propylena oxide block copolymer 4 wt.% to 20 wt.% chelant, 2 wt.% to 10 wt.% buffer, and an alkalinity source sufficient to provide a free alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 1.5% to 3.5% and a total alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 2.0% to 6.0%. The composition exhibits an aluminium corrosion rate of less than 6,35 mm/year (250 mils/year) according to a modified version of ASTM G31-72, and is considered non-corrosive according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Rule (29 C.F.R. 1910.1200 App. A and B).
A method of cleaning a floor is provided according to the present invention. The method can be practiced using the alkaline floor cleaning composition concentrate in the form of a liquid or the alkaline cleaning composition concentrate in the form of a solid. In general, the liquid concentrate or the solid concentrate is diluted with water of dilution to provide a use composition having a chelant level of at least about 100 ppm. The use composition can then be applied to a floor surface to provide cleaning of fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil from the floor surface.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The present invention is directed to an alkaline floor cleaning composition that can be used to remove fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil from a floor surface. The alkaline floor cleaning composition can be referred to more simply as the cleaning composition. The alkaline floor cleaning composition can be provided as a concentrate or as a use composition. A use composition refers to a composition that is intended to be applied to a floor surface to provide cleaning properties. A use composition can be prepared as a result of diluting a concentrate with water of dilution.
The alkaline floor cleaning composition refers to a use composition having a pH of at least about 9.5, or to a concentrate that provides a use composition having a pH of at least about 9.5 when diluted with water of dilution.
Fresh, greasy soil refers to a type of soil deposit often found on the floors in the food service industry. In general, fresh, greasy soils can result from the presence of fatty soil, which can comprise, for example, a fatty acid triglyceride ester and similar fats, and free fatty acids or salts thereof. The fatty acid salts can be formed from a cation, such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, ferric ferrous, etc. Polymerized soil refers to another type of soil often encountered on floors in the food service industry. Polymerized soils generally refer to fats and fatty derivatives that have been polymerized through cross-linking in a manner similar to that of drying oils such as linseed oil. The polymerized film adheres to negatively charged surfaces such as quarry tile through bonding with water hardness ions such as calcium and magnesium as taught by Cockrell, Jr. et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,877,459 and 4,749,508 .
The alkaline floor cleaning composition can be applied to various floor surfaces including quarry tile, vinyl composition tile, concrete, poured floors, etc. In general, quarry tile refers to ceramic tile and natural stone. Quarry tile is often found in food preparation environments such as restaurant kitchens, hospitals, food processing establishments, food preparation establishments, slaughter houses, packing plants, shortening production plants, etc.
The alkaline floor cleaning composition concentrate is provided as a liquid. When the concentrate is provided as a liquid, the composition can be packaged and shipped without labeling the packaging as corrosive. The liquid concentrate can be provided as non-corrosive to aluminum so that the concentrate can avoid being labeled as corrosive under United States Department of Transportation regulations. A liquid composition that can be considered relatively non-corrosive to aluminum exhibits an aluminum corrosion rate of less than about 6,35 mm/year (250 mils/year) according to a modified version of ASTM G31-72. Accordingly, the liquid concentrate can be provided so that it exhibits an aluminum corrosion rate of less than about 6,35 mm/year 250 mils/years according to a modified version of ASTM G31-72. A modified version of ASTM G31-72 is explained in the examples section. Furthermore, the composition can be considered non-corrosive when evaluated according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Rule (29 CFR 1910.1200 App. A and B).
Furthermore, the cleaning composition, when provided as a liquid, can be considered relatively stable and resistant to phase separation and precipitation at temperatures of 48.88°C (120°F) and 4.44°C (40°F) for at least 6 weeks.

Alkalinity Source

The cleaning composition includes an alkalinity source to enhance detersive properties. In general, an alkalinity source refers to a component that causes the use composition to have a pH of at least about 9.5. In general, it is desirable to provide the use composition as a mildly alkaline cleaning composition because it is considered to be safer than use compositions based on caustic alkalis. A mildly alkaline cleaning composition refers to a composition having a pH below about 11.5.
The alkalinity source can be derived from an organic or inorganic alkali such as an alkanolamine, alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal hydroxide, phosphate, borate, silicate, or a mixture thereof. Exemplary alkanolamines that can be used include, for example, 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, diisopropanolamine, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary metal carbonates that can be used include, for example, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, potassium sesquicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary alkali metal hydroxides that can be used include, for example, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. An alkali metal hydroxide may be added to the composition in the form of solid beads, dissolved in an aqueous solution, or a combination thereof. Alkali metal hydroxides are commercially available as a solid in the form of prilled solids or beads, or as an aqueous solution, for example, as a 50 wt.% and a 73 wt.% solution. Exemplary phosphates that can be used include, for example, sodium or potassium phosphates or polyphosphates.

Buffering Agent

The alkaline floor cleaning composition includes a buffering agent to control the level of alkalinity. Basic buffering agents that can be used include a base and the alkali metal salt of a complementary acid. Exemplary bases include sodium bicarbonate, mixtures of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, disodium phosphate, monosodium phosphate, mixtures of disodium phosphate and trisodium phosphate, borates such as sodium tetraborate and borax. Alkali metal or organic amine salts of organic acids can also be used. Examples include sodium, potassium or triethanolamine salts of acetic, citric, lactic or tartaric acids.
The alkaline floor cleaning composition can include a buffering agent in an amount sufficient to control the level of alkalinity in the concentrate. The liquid concentrate include 2 wt.% to 10 wt.% buffer, and can include about 3 wt% to about 5 wt.% buffer.
The alkalinity source and the buffering agent is controlled so that the free alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) is 1.5 % to 3.5 % or about 2.0% to about 3.4%, and the total alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) is about 2.0 to about 6.0% or about 2.4% to about 4.0% when the alkaline cleaning composition concentrate is provided as a liquid. Furthermore, the alkaline cleaning composition concentrate, can be considered non-corrosive according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Rule (29 C.R.F. 1910.1200 App. A and B).

Surfactants

The cleaning composition includes a surfactant which is a mixture of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant.
Exemplary surfactants that can be used are commercially available from a number of sources. For a discussion of surfactants, see Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, volume 8, pages 900-912.
Anionic surfactants useful in the cleaning composition includes, for example, carboxylates such as alkylcarboxylates (carboxylic acid salts) and polyalkoxycarboxylates, alcohol ethoxylate carboxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylate carboxylates; sulfonates such as alkylsulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid esters; sulfates such as sulfated alcohols, sulfated alcohol ethoxylates, sulfated alkylphenols, alkylsulfates, sulfosuccinates, alkylether sulfates. Exemplary anionic surfactants include sodium alkylarylsulfonate, alpha-olefinsulfonate, and fatty alcohol sulfates.
Nonionic surfactants useful in the cleaning composition include, for example, benzyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and other like alkyl-capped polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols; polyalkylene oxide alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylene diamine; alcohol alkoxylates such as alcohol ethoxylates (Surfonic L12-6 commercially available from Huntsman), alcohol ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, alcohol propoxylate ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol ethoxylate butoxylates; nonylphenol ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene glycol ethers; carboxylic acid esters such as glycerol esters, polyoxyethylene esters, ethoxylated and glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides such as diethanolamine condensates, monoalkanolamine condensates, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides; and polyalkylene oxide block copolymers including an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer such as those commercially available under the trademark PLUROTTIC^® (BASF). Silicone surfactants such as the ABIL^® B8852 can also be used.
The cleaning composition, when provided as a liquid concentrate, includes the surfactant in an amount of 5 wt.% to 25 wt.%, preferaby about 8 wt.% to about 15 wt.%.

Chelating Agent

The cleaning composition includes a chelating/sequestering agents or builder. The cleaning composition can include chelating/sequestering agents such as aminocarboxylates. Exemplary aminocarboxylates include, for example, the alkali metal salts of methyl glycine diacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid.
Other chelating agents that may find use in this invention include condensed phosphates, phosphonates, polyacrylates, gluconates, citrates. In general, a chelating agent is a molecule capable of coordinating (i.e., binding) the metal ions commonly found in natural water to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the other detersive ingredients of a cleaning composition. In general, chelating/sequestering agents can generally be referred to as a type of builder. The chelating/sequestering agent may also function as a threshold agent when included in an effective amount.
Examples of condensed phosphates include sodium and potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate. A condensed phosphate may also assist, to a limited extent, in solidification of the composition by fixing the free water present in the composition as water of hydration.
The composition may include a phosphonate such as 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid CH₃C(OH)[PO(OH)₂]₂(HEDP); amino tri(methylenephosphonic acid) N[CH₂PO(OH)₂]₃; aminotri(methylenephosphonate), sodium salt
2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid) HOCH₂CH₂N[CH₂PO(OH)₂]₂; diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid)

(HO)₂POCH₂N[CH₂CH₂N[CH₂PO(OH)₂]₂]₂;

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), sodium salt C₉H_(28-x)N₃Na_xO₁₅P₅ (x=7); hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt C₁₀H_(28-x)N₂K_xO₁₂P₄ (x=6); bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid) (HO₂)POCH₂N[(CH₂)₆N[CH₂PO(OH)₂]₂]₂; and phosphorus acid H₃PO3. Exemplary phosphonates are HEDP, ATMP and DTPMP. A neutralized or alkaline phosphonate, or a combination of the phosphonate with an organic or inorganic alkali source prior to being added into the mixture such that there is little or no heat or gas generated by a neutralization reaction when the phosphonate is added is preferred when solidification of composition is desired. The phosphonate can comprise a potassium or sodium salt of an organo phosphonic acid (a potassium phosphonate). The potassium salt of the phosphonic acid material can be formed by neutralizing the phosphonic acid with an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution during the manufacture of the solid detergent. The phosphonic acid sequestering agent can be combined with a potassium hydroxide solution at appropriate proportions to provide a stoichiometric amount of potassium hydroxide to neutralize the phosphonic acid. A potassium hydroxide having a concentration of from about 1 to about 50 wt% can be used. The phosphonic acid can be dissolved or suspended in an aqueous medium and the potassium hydroxide can then be added to the phosphonic acid for neutralization purposes.
For a further discussion of chelating agents/sequestrants, see Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, volume 5, pages 339-366 and volume 23, pages 319-320.
When the cleaning composition concentrate is provided as a liquid concentrate, the concentrate can contain 4 wt.% to 20 wt.% chelant, or about 6 wt.% to about 10 wt.% chelant.

Processing Aid

The cleaning composition concentrate may further include one or more optional processing aids. Such optional processing aids may provide one or more processing advantages during processing of the above-described solid cleaning product components and/or one or more desirable properties to the resulting solid cleaning product. Suitable processing aids for use in the present invention include sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, and urea. In an embodiment, the processing aid includes anhydrous sodium sulfate or urea.
A number of commercially available processing aids may be used in the present invention. Suitable commercially available process aids include, but are not limited to, sodium sulfate available from Haarmann & Reimer Corporation (Elkhart, IN), and urea available from Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. (Phillipsburg, NJ).
The cleaning composition concentrate can include up to about 15 percent by weight (wt.%) of one or more processing aids based on a total weight of the solid cleaning product. The processing aid can be considered an optional component and need not be included in the cleaning composition concentrate. When the processing aid is included in the cleaning composition concentrate, it can be included in an amount of at least about 0.1 wt.%. The liquid concentrate can include about 0.1 wt.% to about 15 wt.% processing aid, and can include about 6 wt.% to about 12 wt.% processing aid.

Hardening Agent

Hydrotropes/Stabilizers

Hydrotropes/stabilizers can be provided in the liquid concentrate to help stabilize the composition. Exemplary hydrotropes that can be used include sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, alkydiphenyloxide disulfonates, glycerine, organic diacids, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, isopropanol, ethanol, glycol ethers and mixtures thereof. Hydrotropes are optional and can be excluded from the concentrate.
When the concentrate includes a hydrotrope, the hydrotrope can be provided in an amount of about 0.1 wt.% to about 10 wt.%. In the case of the liquid concentrate, the hydrotrope can be provided in an amount of about 3 wt.% to about 6 wt.%. The chelant can be excluded from the solid concentrate.

Water

The cleaning composition concentrate includes water. In general, water can be present to aid in the flow of the concentrate, and water can be present as water of hydration. Water is present in an amount of 15 wt.% to 65 wt.%.
The concentrate can be diluted with water (water of dilution) to provide a use composition for removing fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil from a floor surface. The amount of water of dilution can be selected to provide a use composition having a chelant concentration of at least about 100 ppm, at least about 200 ppm, or at least about 250 ppm to provide desired soil removal properties.

Additives

The solid cleaning products of the present invention may contain one or more additives to provide a desired characteristic to the cleaning composition. Suitable additives include, but are not limited to, colorants (i.e., dyes, pigments, etc.), perfumes, preservatives, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and combinations thereof. In one desired embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition includes at least one colorant to provide a desirable color, and at least one perfume or fragrance to provide a desirable scent.
Various dyes, odorants including perfumes, and other aesthetic enhancing agents can be included in the cleaning composition. Dyes may be included to alter the appearance of the composition, as for example, Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay Chemical Corp.), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz), Acid Yellow 23 (GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical), Sap Green (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Metanil Yellow (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue 9 (Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue/Acid Blue 182 (Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green 25 (Ciba-Geigy).
In an embodiment, additives such as colorants, perfumes, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and preservatives, are each individually present in an amount of less than about 0.5 wt-% based on a total weight of the solid cleaning product. In an embodiment, the amount of colorant in the solid cleaning product, when present, ranges from about 0.0005 to about 0.015 wt-% based on a total weight of the solid cleaning product. When a perfume or fragrance is present, the amount of perfume or fragrance can be from about 0.01 to about 0.25 wt % based on a total weight of the solid cleaning product. In an embodiment, when present, one or more preservatives are present in the solid cleaning product in an amount ranging from about 0.001 to about 0.01 wt % based on a total weight of the solid cleaning product.
Fragrances or perfumes that may be included in the compositions include, for example, terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, a jasmine such as C1S-jasmine or jasmal, vanillin, and the like.

The amounts of the components of the concentrate can be selected depending upon whether the concentrate is provided as a liquid concentrate or as a solid concentrate. Exemplary ranges for the components for the concentrate are identified in Table 1. Table 1 additionally includes ranges of components when the concentrate is provided as a liquid.

Table 1:

Ranges of Components for Liquid Concentrate
Component	Liquid Concentrate (wt.%)	Liquid Concentrate (wt.%)
Water	15 - 65	45 - 65
Surfactant	5-25	8-15
Chelant	4-20	6-10
Buffer	2-10	3-5
Processing aid	0-15	6-12
Hardening agent	0	0
Free alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O)	1.5-3.5%	2.0-3.4%
Total alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O)	2.0-6.0%	2.4-4.0%

Titration method: Alkalinity expressed as Na₂O
Titrate a 2.0 g sample diluted with 100 mls of water to the phenolphthalein and methyl orange endpoints with 0.5N sulfuric acid. The phenolphthalein endpoint refers to the free alkalinity, and the methyl orange endpoint refers to the total alkalinity. $% {Na}_{2} O = \frac{mls titrant x .0155 x 100}{sample weight}$
The alkaline cleaning composition concentrate can be diluted with water of dilution to provide a use composition that exhibits desired removal of fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil from a floor surface. In general, the alkaline cleaning composition concentrate can be diluted with a sufficient amount of water to provide a use composition containing a chelant level of at least about 100 ppm, preferably greater than about 200 ppm, and more preferably greater than about 250 ppm. It is expected that a use composition prepared from the alkaline cleaning composition concentrate and can contain a chelant level of at least about 100 ppm, prefererably at least about 200 ppm, and more preferably greater than about 250 ppm can provide desired soil removal properties.

Example

Several exemplary concentrates were prepared by mixing the components identified in Table 2. In Table 2, the amounts of components are provided at weight percents. The aluminum corrosion in mm/year (mils/year) reported in Table 2 was determined based upon a modification of ASTM G31-72. The procedure for determination of aluminum corrosion rate according to the modified ASTM G31-72 is described following Table 2.

Examples 1 to 9 are examples according to the invention, examples 10 to 16 are comparative examples.

Table 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
Water	33.1	35.9	35.1	36.0	35.5	34.1	35.1	43.6	47.2	45.2	36.1	47.4	46.4	37.1	48.4	38.1
Boric acid	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	4.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0
Sodium borate	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Sodium bicarbonate	5.0	4.0	3.0	3.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Sodium hydroxide 50%	3.4	4.6	3.4	2.5	5.0	3.4	3.4	3.4	2.8	2.8	3.4	1.6	1.6	3.4	1.6	3.4
2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol¹	3.0	0.0	3.0	3.0	0.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	1.0	3.0	3.0	2.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Methyl glycine diabetic acid, trisodium salt in water 40%²	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	8.0	8.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	8.0	6.0
C10 - C12 alcohol ethoxylete³	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Sodium lauroamphoacetate 30%⁴	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Propylene glycol	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	3.0	3.0	3.0	7.5	3.0	3.0	7.5	3.0	7.5
Sodium xylene sulfonate 40%	14.0	14.0	14.0	14.0	14.0	14.0	14.0	10.0	10.0	10.0	14.0	10.0	10.0	14.0	10.0	14.0
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.00	100.0	100.00	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0

pH	10.5	10.8	11.0	10.6	10.3	10.1	10.4	10.5	10.3	10.6	11.0	10.9	11.1	13.0	12.2	13.2
Free alkalinity (as Na2O)	3.0	2.5	3.0	2.7	2.6	2.7	2.7	2.7	1.8	2.5	2.8	2.1	2.4	2.8	2.1	2.9
Total alkalinity (as Na2O	5.2	4.4	4.5	4.2	3.4	3.4	3.2	3.4	2.6	3.1	3.3	2.7	3.1	3.4	2.5	3.3

Aluminum corrosion (mils/yr)	16	90	140	62	103	34	130	135	230	400	674	914	995	1304	1507	1939
Aluminum corrosion mm/year	0,46	2,28	3,55	1,57	2,61	0,86	3,30	3,42	5,84	10,16	17,11	23,21	25,27	33,12	38,27	49,25

¹ Available under the name AMP 95 from Angus.
² Available under the name Trilon M from BASF.
³ Available under the name Surfonic L 12-6 from Huntsman.
⁴ Available under the name Miranol HMA from Rhodia.

In interpreting the data presented in Table 2, it should be understood that a higher level of alkalinity generally provides increased performance for the removal of soil from a floor surface. Accordingly, providing a composition having a lower alkalinity level may satisfy the aluminum corrosion resistance test, but it is expected that performance may suffer.

Determination of Aluminum Corrosion Rate

The aluminum corrosion rate can be determined according to ASTM G31-72 and NACE Standard TMO 169-76. The method for determining aluminum corrosion rate reported in Table 2 can be referred to as a modified version of ASTM G31-72, and can be can be carried out as follows:

Equipment:

Water bath or oven capable of maintaining 113°F +/-1.8°F (45°C +/-1.0°C).
Balance capable of weighing to 0.1 milligram
Wide mouth glass jars, 4,53,44 g (16 oz.) with lids 3

Thermometer

Aluminum panels, 7075-T6 alloy 2,54 cm x 5, 08 cm x 0.15 cm (1" x 2" x 1/16") (panel area = 1.93 cm² (4in²)
70% nitric acid
99% isopropanol
Tongs
Chemical resistant gloves

Procedure:

Add 400 ml of the product to be tested to each of two 4,53,44 g (16-ounce) jars. Cap and place in the water bath and allow to equilibrate to 113°F +/-1.8°F (45°C +/-1.0°C) for 30 minutes.
While the product is equilibrating, prepare the metal panels as follows:

For aluminum, etch 2 panels by placing 70% nitric acid in a jar and soaking the panel for two minutes, followed by a hot water rinse and finally an isopropanol rinse.
Air dry the panels and weigh to the nearest 0.1 milligram.
Immerse the panels in the heated product for six hours. Lean the panels against the side of the jar. Do not lay the panel on the bottom of the jar. Run only one panel per jar.

At the conclusion of the test, remove aluminum panels, using tongs and chemical resistant gloves. Aluminum panels should be rinsed in hot water and placed in 70% nitric acid for two minutes. Rinse in hot water and then isopropanol.
Air dry the panels and weigh to the nearest 0.1 milligram.
Determine the loss in weight for each panel in milligrams.

Calculation:

$M P Y (m i l s / y e a r) C o r r o s i o n = \frac{w t l o s s (mg) x 534}{{4 i n}^{2} (p a n e l a r ea) x 6 h r s (t i me) x 2.71 g / {c m}^{3} (m e t a l d e n s i t y)}$
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention.

Claims

An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate in the form of a liquid comprising:
(a) 15 wt.% to 65 wt.% water;

(b) 5 wt.% to 25 wt.% surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises a mixture of anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates and nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of benzyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and alkyl-capped polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols; polyalkylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylene diamine; alcohol alkoxylates; nonylphenol ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene glycol ethers carboxylic acid esters carboxylic amides and polyalkylene oxide block copolymers including an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer Silicone surfactants.

(c) 4 wt.% to 20 wt.% chelant;

(d) 2 wt.% to 10 wt.% buffer; and

(e) an alkalinity source sufficient to provide a free alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 1.5% to 3.5% and a total alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 2.0% to 6.0%;
wherein the composition exhibits an aluminum corrosion rate of less than 6.35 mm/year (250 mils/year) according to a modified version of ASTM G31-72, and is considered non-corrosive according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Rule (29 C.F.R. 1910.1200 App. A and B).
An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate according to claim 1,
wherein the alkalinity source comprises of at least of alkanolamine, alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal hydroxide, phosphate, borate, silicate, or mixture thereof.
An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate according to claim 1,
wherein the chelant comprises aminocarboxylate, phosphate, phosphonate, polyacrylate, gluconate, citrate, or mixture thereof.
An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate according to claim 1, further comprising 0.1 wt.% to 15 wt.% of a processing aid.
An alkaline cleaning composition concentrate according to claim 4,
wherein the processing aid comprises sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, urea, or mixture thereof.
A method of cleaning a floor comprising:
diluting an alkaline cleaning concentrate in the form of a liquid with a sufficient amount of water to provide a use composition containing a chelant concentration of at least 100 ppm, the alkaline cleaning concentrate comprising:
(a) 15 wt.% to 65 wt.% water;

(b) 5 wt.% to 25 wt.% surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises a mixture of anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates and nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of benzyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and alkyl-capped polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols; polyalkylene oxide, alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylene diamine; alcohol alkoxylates; nonylphenol ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene glycol ethers carboxylic acid esters carboxylic amides and polyalkylene oxide block copolymers including an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer Silicone surfactants.

(c) 4 wt.% to 20 wt.% chelant;

(d) 2 wt.% to 10 wt.% buffer; and

(e) an alkalinity source sufficient to provide a free alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 1.5% to 3.5% and a total alkalinity (expressed as Na₂O) of 2.0% to 6.0%;

wherein the composition exhibits an aluminum corrosion rate of less than 6.35 mm/year (250 mils/year) according to a modified version of ASTM G31-72, and is considered non-corrosive according to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Rule (29 C.F.R. 1910.1200 App. A and B); and
applying the use composition to a floor for the removal of fresh, greasy soil and polymerized soil.