Final answer:
Thermal cleaners heat parts to high temperatures to oxidize contaminants. Aluminum parts can be safely cleaned in thermal cleaners without damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
A thermal cleaner is a device used to clean parts by heating them to high temperatures, usually between 1,000 to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The high heat causes oxidation of contaminants, effectively removing them from the parts. Aluminum parts can be cleaned in thermal cleaners without damage because the temperature required to oxidize contaminants on aluminum is not far from the operating temperature of thermal cleaners.
An example of thermal cleaning is the Hall-Heroult process used to produce aluminum commercially. In this process, a mixture of aluminum oxide and cryolite is electrolyzed at a temperature of about 1000°C, resulting in the production of molten aluminum. The high temperature allows for effective cleaning of the aluminum.