This cleaning method uses organic solvents (oils) dispersed in an aqueous solution. The use of suitable emulsifiers (soaps) results in a two-phase cleaning fluid (oil-in-water), which functions by dissolving or emulsifying the soils on the part surface. The process can be used on either metal or nonmetallic parts. Emulsion cleaning must be followed by alkaline cleaning to eliminate all residues of the organic solvent prior to plating.
Emulsion cleaning is a type of chemical cleaning.