As 3M® exits the market with its discontinuation of the Novec fluids range, many companies are now considering options, to find suitable replacements. However, choosing the right alternative isn’t as simple as picking the first product that claims compatibility. There are critical factors to consider ensuring that the replacement you choose not only meets your current needs but also sets you up for long-term success. Here’s what you need to know when searching for a 3M® Novec replacement.
Choose a Reputable, Experienced Supplier
The first and perhaps most crucial step in selecting a replacement is ensuring your supplier is well-established and reputable. With over 55 years of experience, Fraser Technologies has been a trusted partner to many world-class clients. The company has a proven track record of helping clients navigate complex regulatory transitions, including those from legacy chemicals like CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. This depth of experience ensures that Fraser Technologies is not just offering products but providing expert guidance through this latest transition away from 3M® Novec products.
Beware of Low-Cost, Low-Quality Alternatives
The market is flooded with cheap alternatives, many of which come from less reputable sources. These products often suffer from multiple issues, such as questionable longevity of supply, inconsistent quality, and inadequate product stewardship—including insufficient testing, lack of safety data, and potential legal issues like patent or IP infringement. Fraser Technologies only supplies high-quality chemicals and products, partnering with industry leaders like Chemours™, known for their rigorous quality controls. By choosing Fraser Technologies, you can avoid the pitfalls of inferior products and ensure you are working with materials that meet the highest standards.
Ensure Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Another critical factor is ensuring that the products you select are legally compliant. This includes verifying that your supplier can provide appropriate REACH documentation and F-gas quota declarations, not just for the blend but for each individual component. Many suppliers in the market may sell products without considering these legal requirements, putting your operations at risk. Fraser Technologies is committed to full compliance, providing products that meet all necessary legal and regulatory standards, so you can have peace of mind that your operations remain on the right side of the law.
Future-Proof Your Cleaning Applications
Choosing a replacement that works today is essential, but it’s just as important to consider the future. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, you need a solution that will stand the test of time. Fraser Technologies doesn’t just offer drop-in alternatives; the company also provides a full process review with a stepping stone approach. This means you can adopt a short-term solution now while planning for a
transition to newer, future-proof technologies down the line. How do we do this? In part with rigorous testing. With Fraser Technologies, you’ll have the support of industry experts who understand the latest legislative changes and can guide you toward the best long-term solution.
Trust in Proven Expertise and Support
One of the most common misconceptions is that all products are the same. The reality is that differences in quality control, manufacturing processes, and chemical composition can significantly impact performance and safety. Fraser Technologies stands out by offering not just products but a partnership. With a 55-year pedigree in the industry, Fraser Technologies works alongside its clients, offering cradle-to-grave support and engineered solutions tailored to their unique needs. Whether through assisting with trials, providing case studies, or offering expert guidance, Fraser Technologies is committed to ensuring that your transition to a 3M® Novec replacement is successful both now and in the future.
Ensuring Quality and Reliability in 3M Novec Replacements
At Fraser Technologies, quality is non-negotiable. The company exclusively supplies products that meet the highest industry standards, partnering with reputable manufacturers like Chemours™, known for their rigorous quality control processes. This commitment ensures that every chemical and product offered by Fraser Technologies is reliable, effective, and safe for use in critical applications. By choosing Fraser Technologies, clients can trust that they are receiving products that have been thoroughly vetted and manufactured to the strictest quality standards, eliminating the risks associated with subpar alternatives, for example, one could assume that if a product works once, it will continue to perform however some 3M® alternates don’t have a pure azeotrope and their performance, will diminish over time during the distillation/recovery process.
Transitioning to Opteon™ SF80 in the Aerospace Industry
Our client, a leading supplier in the aerospace industry, designs and manufactures critical components like flight recorders, data computers, and mission displays. Serving major aerospace companies globally, they faced a significant challenge when 3M® announced the withdrawal of its Novec materials by 2025. They relied heavily on 3M® Novec 72DE for flux removal from electronic components and chassis assembly cleaning. The need was clear: find a reliable drop-in replacement.
The Solution: Opteon™ SF80 and a Proven Process
Fraser Technologies approached this challenge using a well-established process, leveraging our extensive experience with Chemours™’ Opteon™ SF80 products. These products are renowned for their reliability, making them a seamless choice for our clients. The customer had a validated cleaning specification, which streamlined the transition process. By using our detailed compatibility information, particularly for electronics with diverse materials, we provided early confidence in the suitability of Opteon™ SF80.
The Process in Action
The transition began with open-ended discussions, followed by compatibility testing at our facility. The customer provided components, which we processed according to their specifications. The promising results led to a site visit, where we assessed equipment and processes, confirming Opteon™ SF80 as a suitable replacement.
Given the client’s position in the aerospace supply chain, the new material needed approval from multiple end customers. We supplied comprehensive technical data, including environmental profiles and solvent quality information, to facilitate this process. Many of these companies had already approved SF80 for other applications, speeding up the transition. After a desktop exercise, we moved to on-site evaluations, where we helped the customer clean their system, introduce the new material, and ensure operational integrity. Extensive testing over several weeks, verified by external labs, confirmed that the new system met, and exceeded, benchmarks previously set by 3M® Novec 72DE.
Key Benefits and Cost Savings
Switching to Opteon™ SF80 brought notable benefits. Unlike the previous solvent, which altered during recovery, Opteon™ SF80 is a pure azeotropic solvent that remains consistent after distillation. This enabled efficient recovery and reuse, leading to significant cost savings. Additionally, Opteon™ SF80 is less expensive than 3M® Novec 72DE, further reducing costs while enhancing process performance.
Ensuring Compliance and Long-Term Viability
Compliance is crucial in the aerospace industry. Although the customer holds ultimate responsibility, Fraser Technologies, supported by Chemours™, provided all necessary documentation to ensure REACH compliance was built into the process from the start. The result is a robust, long-term solution that meets the customer’s cleaning requirements while reducing costs and enhancing process security.
Ongoing Support and Preventative Maintenance
At Fraser Technologies, we value long-term partnerships. Regular site visits are part of our Service Level Agreement (SLA), during which we audit systems, engage with operators and maintenance teams, and review data to pre-emptively identify trends or issues. This proactive approach enables us to perform preventative maintenance, avoiding costly breakdowns and ensuring uninterrupted operations. Our commitment to ongoing support sets us apart, helping customers maintain optimal performance and long-term viability.
By transitioning from 3M® Novec to Opteon™ SF80, our customer has secured a reliable, cost-effective alternative that meets all their stringent requirements. The process, from initial discussions through to full implementation, has delivered substantial benefits. With Fraser Technologies’ ongoing support, their operations continue to thrive in the competitive aerospace industry.
