What are the maintenance and protective measures for the material of fume hood enclosures?

General maintenance points for casings made of different materials

Regular cleaning

Frequency: Conduct a comprehensive cleaning at least once a week. If the fume hood is used frequently and the surrounding environment is dusty, the cleaning frequency can be appropriately increased.

Method: Use a soft damp cloth or sponge, dip it in an appropriate amount of neutral detergent, and gently wipe the surface of the shell. For stubborn stains, you can first apply the cleaner to the stained area, let it stand for a few minutes before wiping, and avoid scratching the outer shell with excessive force. After cleaning is completed, wipe off the remaining detergent with a clean damp cloth and then dry the water with a dry cloth to prevent the shell from rusting or corroding due to water residue.

Avoid impact

Set up obvious warning signs around the fume hood to remind personnel to avoid colliding with the casing of the fume hood. When moving items, it is necessary to maintain a safe distance from the fume hood to prevent sharp or heavy objects from hitting the casing, which may cause dents, scratches and other damages.

Prevent chemical corrosion

When conducting experiments in a fume hood, make sure that the reagents do not splash onto the casing. If it is accidentally splashed, it should be immediately rinsed with plenty of water and dried with a dry cloth. For some highly corrosive chemical reagents, such as concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid, after splashing, corresponding neutralization or special treatment measures should be taken according to the characteristics of the reagent to avoid corrosion to the shell.

Targeted protective measures for shells made of different materials

Steel casing

Anti-rust treatment

Painting protection: Regularly check whether there is any peeling or flaking on the paint surface of the shell. If the paint surface is found to be damaged, it should be repainted in time. First, grind the damaged area smooth, remove rust and impurities, and then spray anti-rust paint of similar color and performance to the original paint to ensure the integrity of the paint surface and prevent air and moisture from coming into contact with the steel and causing rusting.

Electroplating protection: If the shell adopts electroplating process, it is necessary to avoid the electroplating layer from being scratched and worn. In daily use, do not scratch the surface of the shell with sharp objects. If the electroplating layer shows slight wear, it can be repaired with a dedicated electroplating repair agent to restore its anti-rust performance.

Control environmental humidity: Steel casings are prone to rust in a humid environment, so it is necessary to keep the surrounding environment of the fume hood as dry as possible. Dehumidifiers or desiccants can be used to reduce air humidity, especially during the rainy season or in areas with high humidity, when it is necessary to strengthen the control of environmental humidity.

Stainless steel shell

Prevent scratches

Although the stainless steel casing has good wear resistance, it still needs to be kept away from sharp objects. When cleaning, do not use rough cleaning tools such as steel wool balls to avoid scratching the surface. A soft cloth or sponge can be used for cleaning. For stubborn stains, a special stainless steel cleaner can be used.

Removing fingerprints and stains: The stainless steel casing is prone to leaving fingerprints and stains, which affects its appearance. Stainless steel cleaner or glass cleaner can be used for wiping. When wiping, follow the texture direction of the stainless steel to make the surface brighter.

Wooden shell

Moisture-proof and insect-proof

Moisture-proofing: The wooden casing is prone to deformation due to moisture, so it is necessary to keep the surrounding environment of the fume hood dry. Moisture-proof pads can be placed at the bottom of the fume hood to prevent moisture from the ground from entering. During the humid season, dehumidifiers or ventilation equipment can be used to reduce the air humidity.

Insect prevention: Regularly check the wooden shell for any insect infestation. Some insect repellents, such as camphor balls, can be placed around the fume hood to prevent insect infestation. If signs of insect infestation are found, measures should be taken promptly for treatment, such as using insecticides or having professionals carry out repairs.

Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged direct sunlight can cause the wooden shell to fade and crack. Therefore, the fume hood should be placed in a position that avoids direct sunlight, or it can be shielded by curtains, sunshades, etc.

Plastic shell

Prevent aging

Plastic casings are prone to aging in environments such as ultraviolet rays and high temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the fume hood being exposed to the sun for a long time, especially during the high-temperature period of summer, when shading measures should be taken. At the same time, the temperature of the surrounding environment of the fume hood should be controlled to avoid excessive temperature accelerating the aging of the plastic.

Repair scratches: If there are scratches on the plastic shell, plastic repair agent can be used for repair. First, apply the repair agent to the scratch. Use a scraper or your fingers to smooth it out. After the repair agent dries, gently sand it with sandpaper to make the surface smooth and flat.