Solvent Cleaning with BestSolv® Engineered Fluids

BestSolv® for Solvent Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing

BestSolv® Engineered Fluids are high-performance solvents designed for precision cleaning and vapor degreasing in demanding applications. Drawing on decades of expertise in cleaning chemistries and process equipment, Best Technology developed BestSolv® to provide safe, effective, and reliable solvent solutions for consistent cleaning results.

BestSolv® Engineered Fluids are non-flammable, non-ozone depleting, low-toxicity solvents with very low global-warming potential. The BestSolv® family of precision cleaning solvents offers an ideal balance of:

• high employee safety exposure limits
• low environmental impact
• excellent cleaning performance

As EPA, regulatory, and environmental demands continue to evolve, the industry requires cleaning solvents that are not only safe for employees but also environmentally responsible. Increasing restrictions on legacy solvents such as TCE, nPB (n-propyl bromide), and methylene chloride have accelerated the need for next-generation alternatives that maintain high-precision cleaning performance without the associated hazards. Recent PFAS regulations have often grouped all fluorinated compounds together, including newer, safer generations of solvents, creating unnecessary barriers for responsible use and not always reflecting the actual scientific behavior of all the fluorinated compounds. The recent discontinuation of 3M™ Novec™ fluids has further heightened the urgency for reliable Novec™ solvent replacement chemistries that ensure continuity and regulatory compliance and next-generation solvents. 

The BestSolv® line of precision cleaning fluids represents that new generation of solvents, purpose-built for vapor degreasing and precision cleaning. BestSolv® fluids provide proven replacement options for discontinued 3M™ Novec™ solvents while supporting the safety, compliance, and process continuity requirements of regulated manufacturers.

BestSolv® solvents are suitable for use in industry-standard vapor degreasers, enabling safe, effective cleaning without costly equipment modifications in many applications. Because BestSolv® fluids are non-flammable, they can be used across a wide range of critical cleaning processes where safety, consistency, and cleaning performance matter.

**Compatibility will vary based on temperature, exposure and material composition. As a Novec™ solvent replacement It is essential that the user evaluate the BestSolv® product to determine whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for the user’s method of application.

NOTICE: The technical information, recommendations and other statements contained in this document are based upon tests or experience that Best Technology believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed.

Benefits of BestSolv® Engineered Fluids for Solvent Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing

Safer and environmentally responsible

BestSolv® fluids stand out by reducing the health and environmental risks tied to older cleaning agents. Traditional vapor degreasing solvents such as n-propyl bromide (nPB), methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene (TCE), have raised increasing concerns for worker safety and environmental impact, while ozone-depleting substances like hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are being phased out worldwide. Engineers seeking sustainable, compliant options are turning to BestSolv® as a proven solution that aligns with today’s safety standards and environmental expectations.

BestSolv® fluids are designed to be an effective drop-in replacement, offering:

• High margin of safety for workers
• Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)
• Low global warming potential (GWP)
• Excellent cleaning performance

Unlike many other cleaning and vapor degreasing solvents, BestSolv® fluids are designed with long-term environmental sustainability in mind and are not targeted for regulatory phase-outs. Under the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP), they are listed as acceptable substitutes for use in metals, electronics, and precision cleaning applications. Both BestSolv® 7100 and BestSolv® 7200 are approved under the SNAP program for “use without restriction.”

In addition, BestSolv® fluids are not classified as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and neat BestSolv® formulations are exempt from the EPA’s definitions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

More effective cleaning

Thanks to their low surface tension, BestSolv® Engineered Fluids can reach into tight spaces and complex geometries that are difficult to clean with other methods. They thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas and then drain off easily without becoming trapped in small cavities. BestSolv® fluids also evaporate and dry quickly, leaving behind no residue—unlike aqueous systems that can leave water spots or residue.

The result: parts are cleaned more efficiently, while minimizing costly issues such as solvent “drag-out” losses.

Vapor degreasing with BestSolv® fluids provides:

• Improved cleaning of parts with complex geometries
• Faster dry times for improved cycle times
• Better solvency for organic soils
• Freedom from chemistry that supports biological growth
• Spot-free results with less chance of corrosion

Advantages of Solvent Cleaning vs. Aqueous Cleaning

Efficient use of resources

Using BestSolv® fluids in a vapor degreaser requires less equipment and consumes less energy compared to aqueous cleaning systems. Because the solvent is continuously recycled through distillation, the majority of the fluid can be reused.

Additional advantages of solvent cleaning with BestSolv® fluids over aqueous systems include:

• Easier to use with cellular manufacturing
• Significantly lower electricity costs
• Conservation of water
• Smaller equipment “footprint”
• No drying equipment needed
• Lower long-term cost of ownership

For more information on the advantages of solvent cleaning, see our article Why Use a Parts Cleaning Solvent?

Cleaning Applications with BestSolv® Engineered Fluids

Note that not all BestSolv® fluids are appropriate for cleaning parts containing certain plastics and elastomeric materials. See product information or contact us for details on materials compatibility.

Top-Selling BestSolv® Engineered Fluids for Solvent Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing

• BestSolv® Bravo
  Based on a blend of azeotropes designed for heavy-duty precision cleaning of metallic parts, dewaxing, and solder flux residue, BestSolv® Bravo is a perfect replacement for nPB and TCE.
• BestSolv® 72DA Engineered Fluid
  An exact molecule replacement for 3M™ Novec™ 72DA, BestSolv® 72DA provides medium to heavy-duty precision cleaning of metallic parts and solder flux residue. The high solvency and low toxicity make it an ideal replacement for ozone-depleting compounds, hydrofluorocarbons (HFC Dupont Vertrel), and n-propyl bromide (nPb). A true azeotrope, HFE-72DA has constant vapor and liquid composition at its boiling point.
• BestSolv® 73DE Engineered Fluid
  An exact molecule replacement for 3M™ Novec™ 73DE, BestSolv™ 73DE offers heavy-duty precision cleaning of metallic parts, dewaxing, and solder flux residue.
• BestSolv® 71IPA Engineered Fluid
  An exact molecule replacement for 3M™ Novec™ 71IPA, BestSolv® 71IPA is metals and plastics compatible, and ideal for light cleaning and degreasing tasks. A true azeotrope, HFE-71IPA has constant vapor and liquid composition at its boiling point.