Cleaning of whey protein and milk salts soiled on DLC coated surfaces at high-temperature

► Cleaning of whey protein on diamond-like carbon coated surfaces was investigated. ► Surface energetic properties affected deposit/surface interactions. ► Higher cleaning rates were obtained for high electron donor (γ−) surfaces. ► A cleaning mechanism is proposed where γ− influences deposit's adhesion/cohesion. ► A model describes swelling, uniform and decay cleaning process stages.