DuPont introduces a new cleaning agent with outstanding environmental profile

Phil Black - PII Editor 12/03/2013

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Based on new fluorinated chemistry developed by DuPont under its brand name DuPont™ Vertrel®, a new range of fluids allows users with special applications, including precision cleaning, heat transfer (cooling) and carrier fluid (lubricants, oils, greases, etc.) to exceed stringent environmental standards, while maintaining high levels of performance. DuPont has started the introduction of these next-generation fluids as cost-effective replacements for PFCs and PFPEs, HFCs and HFEs.

Vertrel® Sion™ azeotrope is a binary azeotropic mixture based on this new fluorinated chemistry. It offers a higher solvency precision cleaning agent developed in response to worldwide market demand for safe, non-flammable and low environmental impact products for high-end industrial cleaning applications such as vapour phase degreasing, manual cleaning and open top, closed or hermetic equipment. The solvent is based on new extremely low (<1) Global Warming Potential (GWP), HFO-fluorinated chemistry. As well as providing powerful cleaning performance (Kb > 100) with reduced cycle times, Vertrel® Sion™ also has a very favourable toxicity profile, is recyclable and reusable, non-flammable and has a low boiling point (47 deg C), making it fast drying and immediately ready for handling and use.

Mark Hughes, Business Development & Sales Manager EMEA DuPont™ Vertrel® Specialty Fluids comments: “Vertrel® Sion™ can successfully replace many high cost HFE materials, as well as nPB, HFC-365 blends and other hazardous chlorinated solvents in existing equipment. It can also be used as a safe, viable alternative to fast evaporating, flammable materials typically used in cold cleaning applications such as IPA, acetone, thinners and MEK. Furthermore, Vertrel® Sion™ is cost effective and is the lowest cost fluorinated solvent available on the market today.”

Two further products based on the new chemistry are also being launched in the Vertrel® range. Vertrel® Sinera™ specialty fluid is for heat transfer and test fluid applications and has a GWP of less than 10, making it an ideal replacement product for Semicon fab (semiconductor fabrication plant) and display makers (e.g. flat panel displays, fibre optics and lens manufacturers) looking for the best environmental profile by moving away from PFCs and PFPEs with high GWP.

Vertrel® Suprion™ specialty fluid is tailored for optimal performance in carrier fluid applications and can carry a range of functional materials with appropriate drying speeds, which contribute to the highly efficient deposition of lubricants and repellent materials while having a GWP more than 30 times lower than the nearest rival chemistry used today.

The full range of products is already available in the EU and is in the process of being introduced globally.

For more information in the U.K., please contact local distributor Fraser Technologies Ltd www.frasertech.co.uk or telephone 01506 443 058 or email sion@frasertech.co.uk