Greener fluid cleans up greasy parts

A new aggressive cleaning solvent for degreasing applications offers a long-term replacement for n-propyl bromide (nPB), trichloroethylene (Trike), HCFC-141b, HCFC-225 and other chlorinated solvents.

3M Specialty Materials Markets Group has introduced Novec engineered fluid HFE-72DE, an aggressive cleaning solvent for medium- to heavy-duty degreasing applications that offers an ideal long-term replacement for n-propyl bromide (nPB), trichloroethylene (Trike), HCFC-141b, HCFC-225 and other chlorinated solvents.

The new formulation is cost effective and delivers excellent performance combined with desirable safety and environmental properties.

Novec HFE-72DE has been developed to provide manufacturing industry with the optimum balanced solution for the precision cleaning of electronics and engineered parts and other solvent applications.

It is suitable for use across a broad spectrum of manufacturing sectors encompassing: automotive, rail, aerospace and defence electronics, mechanical engineering, medical and optical devices.

The new solvent is a blend of azeotropes comprising 70% trans-1,2-dichloroethylene and 30% hydrofluoroethers (HFE).

This blend has a consistent composition that enhances solvency and is a safe and effective medium for use on heavyweight oils, hydrocarbon greases, silicones, waxes etc.

It is ideal for immersion and vapour degreasing processes and for certain coating and lubricant deposition applications where increased solvency is desired.

The new solvent has a low surface tension and a low temperature vaporisation, for quick drying and reduced liquid drag-out for lower fluid consumption.

HFE-72DE is an ideal replacement for nPB, Trike, HCFC-141b, HCFC-225 and other chlorinated solvents because, in addition to its excellent performance characteristics, it has important safety and environmental properties including nonflammability, low toxicity, zero ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential.

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