Electronic Solvents
What is Hydrofluoroether (HFE) Solvent Cleaning?
Hydrofluoroethers (HFE) represent a category of organic solvents. They were initially developed to replace CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, and PFCs with non-ozone-depleting substances. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are used for crucial applications like the fabrication of medical devices and microelectronics, are generally considered as safer and more ecologically friendly alternatives to HFEs.
Fluorosolvents, such HFE-347, can penetrate the surface of the contaminant while being kind to the surface of the substrate thanks to their low surface tension. Fluorinated cleaning solutions can be used to thoroughly clean a variety of substrates, including metals, plastics, polyurethanes, and fluoroelastomers.
What Industries Are Fluorinated Solvents Used In?
Medical device manufacturing
Semiconductor chip & wafer processing
Aerospace
Automotive
Industrial Processes
Applications
Heat Transfer
Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Fluid
Cleaning– oils, greases, fluxes, waxes, particulates, lubricants, fluoropolymers
Carrier solvent for coating
CFC, HCFC, HFC, and PFC replacement
Benefits of Choosing An HFE-Based Solvent Cleaner?
Solvents are used for extremely vital items, such as medical equipment and instruments, where a strict degree of sanitation is required before assembly or shipping. Fluorinated solutions penetrate and dissolve the contamination without harming the surface of the thing being cleaned, whether the object is composed of metal, plastic, polyurethanes, or another material thanks to their low surface tension feature. Different solvents, or solvent blends, can be chosen to remove pollutants of any kind, depending on the type of contamination.
Fluorinated solvents also offer the following advantages:
- A faster rate of evaporation than aqueous solutions
- Less energy is needed to clean;
- Next generation fluorinated solvents have low global warming potential (low GWP) and ozone depletion potential (low ODP).
HFE-347 as Cleaning Solvent
Vapor degreasing is the process of using chemical vapor to remove greases, oils, and other contaminants from the surface of various materials in various industries. This cleaning process consists of bringing the solvent to its boiling point thus creating vapor, bringing the solvent to a gaseous state. The material is then submerged in the solvent vapor, creating condensation on the surface of the material which is
A vapor degreaser system condenses the cleaning solvent into vapor which attach to the material or object that is being cleaned. As the vapor evaporates, it is removing the unwanted contaminants from the surface.
Vapor degreasing is a highly effective method for cleaning and preparing materials to continue their course down the production line. Vapor degreasing should assist in the following areas:
Faster cleaning than other precision cleaning methods
Improves manufacturing processes for the parts being cleaned, resulting in a more effective production line
Prepares the materials or parts for finishing processes such as welding and/or painting
HFE-347 for Heat-Transfer Applications
HFE-347 is an engineered fluid that can be used in heat-transfer applications such as immersion cooling or thermal management of electronic components. Due to properties such as non-flammability and non-corrosivity, solvents can be used in a wide variety of electronic materials such as metals and plastics.
All systems require different conditions which require different heat-transfer solvents. When looking for a good heat transfer fluid, one can consider these characteristics for the heat
Ranging boiling temperatures
Pour point and viscosity
Thermal and heat transfer properties
Material compatibility
Flash point and flammability
Toxicity of the substance
Why Are Other Solvents Being Phased Out? CFC, HCFC, HFC
Chlorofluorocarbons were previously the preferred cleaning solvent for many industries before they were classified as harmful to the environment due to their high ozone depletion potential (ODP). Ozone-depleting solvents are forbidden by the Montreal Protocol, forcing these businesses to find, test, and use new substitutes. Popular alternatives due to their environmentally sustainable chemical properties are fluorinated solvents or aqueous solvents, which are determined and managed by the EPA’s SNAP program- the authority governing the use of ozone-depleting substances to thwart damage to our climate. Many of the largest game players in the
3M™ Announces Phaseout of PFAS
By the end of 2025, 3M plans on discontinuing the manufacturing of their per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across its entire product portfolio. This comes about due to growing concerns and lack of research regarding the affects of these substances in our environment. For industrial cleaning processes such as solvent degreasing of precision parts or thermal management of electronics, 3M’s Novec cleaning solvents will no longer be utilized.
3M™ Novec™ Products That Are Affected By The Phaseout:
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7200 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7300 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7500 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 72DA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71DE Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 72DE Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 73DE Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71IPA Engineered Fluid
Yuji Supplies Novec Replacement Solvents
Cleaning precision parts across many industries is a necessary process, and companies rely on Novec precision cleaning solvents for many industrial cleaning processes such as vapor degreasing or ultrasonic cleaning. In order to find a suitable replacement, businesses will likely have to opt-in to Novec replacements or next generation solvents. Yuji's solvent catalogue comprises of drop-in replacements for precision cleaning and next generation solvents powered by advanced chemistry.