3M Novec Engineered Fluids, Fluorinert Liquids, Solvents, & Chemicals

Best Technology is a U.S. nationwide authorized 3M™ Novec™ distributor of engineered heat transfer fluids, Fluorinert™ chemicals, and engineered cleaning solvents. 3M™ places a significant amount of trust in Best Technology’s extensive experience in precision cleaning chemistries and applications.

As a 3M™ distributor, Best Technology sells the full line of 3M™  Novec™ Engineered Fluids, Performance Fluids and Fluorinert™ fluids which are environmentally friendly and safe for operators and employees.

What are 3M™ Novec™ Fluids?

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids are non-flammable fluids used in a wide variety of industrial applications, including vapor degreasing, solvent cleaning of industrial parts, and thermal management of electronics. Based on 3M™’s proprietary segregated hydrofluoroether (HFE) chemistry, Novec™ fluids combine proven performance with outstanding environmental and safety features.

What is HFE chemistry?

HFE stands for hydrofluoroether. Originally developed by 3M™, it is a complex organic cleaning solvent that does not occur naturally in the environment. HFE was developed as an alternative to ozone-depleting solvents such as CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, and PFCs. At room temperature its visual appearance is identical to water. Like water, it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. The high molecular weight of HFE means that it remains in the atmosphere for less than two weeks, and has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) compared to alternative chemicals.

The HFE chemistry in 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids also offers low GDP (global warming potential), so there is no need to compromise sustainability and safety for excellent performance in solvent cleaning and coating applications.

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids are available from authorized distributor Best Technology in a variety of formulations, for light-duty to heavy-duty cleaning performance. “Neat” or pure Novec™ formulations are 100% HFEs. Examples of neat Novec™ products include Novec™ 7100, Novec™ 7200 or Novec™ 7300.

Other formulations include additives to the HFE chemistry for better cleaning performance. The most common additive to Novec™ formulations is trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (t-DCE). Examples of Novec™ products with t-DCE include Novec™ 73DE and Novec™ 72DA. The Novec™ 72DA also includes 2% isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol). NOTE: t-DCE is not to be confused with the harmful TCE (trichloroethylene).

Novec™ fluids are engineered for:

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

While 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids were developed as cleaning solvents, their use has broadened to other application categories. Application categories include:

• Solvent Cleaning / Precision Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing
• Coatings and Lubricants
• Thermal Management / Heat Transfer

Application: Solvent Cleaning / Precision Cleaning and Vapor Degreasing

Novec™ fluids are ideal for many precision cleaning applications where high purity and low contamination levels on finished parts are critical, particularly in medical devices, aerospace materials, optical components and electronics. Novec™ fluids demonstrate excellent materials compatibility in a wide variety of substrates, and can clean a wide range of soils.

For an in-depth guide to solvent cleaning including materials compatibility and formulation specs, please see Solvent Cleaning with 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids.

Here are the 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids that Best Technology stocks for precision cleaning and vapor degreasing:

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids for Solvent Cleaning

Application: Coatings and Lubricants

When creating new coatings, cleaners and lubricants, 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids offer an outstanding combination of performance, safety and environmental properties. With its excellent materials compatibility, Novec™ fluids provide formulating freedom for creating the perfect mix.

For medical uses, Novec™ fluids can disperse a wide variety of coatings, including silicone, PTFE and heparin. Specific deposition applications include hypodermic needles, surgical and cutting blades, blood bags, filters and PVC tubing. Novec™ fluids have low surface tension for uniform coating, and evaporate rapidly to potentially speed the drying process.

Deposition with HFEs in Medical Applications

Advantages of 3M™ Novec™ fluids for meeting formulating challenges

• Solubility – Formulates with range of materials including hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons
• Stability – Consistent performance and reduced chance of formulation property changes during storage or transport
• Compatibility – Compatible with metals, ceramics, and most plastics and elastomers
• Wide selection of boiling points – Better control over dry times and dripping
• Inerting – May help inert flammable fluids to help improve safety for workers and customers

Other Medical Applications of 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids

3M™ Medical Device Policy

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids are not intended, nor approved, for incorporation into medical devices or for use in pharmaceuticals. 3M™ will not support applications such as lung perfusion or blood substitutes, that involve temporary or permanent implantation of the Novec™ engineered fluid.

Application: Thermal Management / Heat Transfer

For the semiconductor and electronics industries, 3M™ offers a range of dielectric heat transfer solutions that provide reliable cooling performance. Thermal management fluids incorporate two product categories:

• 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids
• 3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquids

Though both are used for thermal management, the Fluorinert™ brand of Electronic Liquids is distinct from the Novec™ Engineered Fluids brand. Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquids feature different chemical properties that result from the presence of fluorocarbons.

For an in-depth guide to thermal management, heat transfer and immersion cooling applications, please see Thermal Management / Heat Transfer with 3M™ Novec™ and Fluorinert™ Fluids.

Here are the 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids and 3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquids that Best Technology stocks for heat transfer applications:

3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids for Thermal Management

3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquids for Thermal Management

As part of its commitment to product stewardship, 3M™ offers free pickup and return of used 3M™ specialty fluids. This program is available in the U.S. with qualifying amounts of used fluid. Note that this program is only available directly through 3M™. Best Technology does not service this program.

In the interest of product stewardship and ensuring responsible use of 3M™ products, you will be asked about the expected application of 3M™ specialty fluids when you place your order.

Order Now

For 3M™ Fluorinert™ and 3M™ Novec™ price and ordering information, contact our chemical sales department at 612-392-2414, ext. 2, or use our web contact form.