Low-Global-Warming Solvent Approved by US Environment Protection Agency

Honeywell (USA) announced recently that its new low-global-warming-potential solvent for precision cleaning of metal and electronics components has received final approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The approval allows the company’s new Solstice Performance Fluid (PF) to be used in precision cleaning applications such as metal cleaning, electronic components and others, as well as a carrier solvent for adhesives, coatings and inks in the U.S. The EPA granted the approval under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.

 “Solstice Performance Fluid, also known as Solstice PF, is the most technologically advanced precision solvent on the market today,” said Pamela Schechter, business director, Industrial Products for Honeywell Fluorine Products. “With a global warming potential of less than 5, it meets today’s regulations and potentially surpasses those to come. It is an outstanding option for industries seeking to replace HCFC-225, a widely-used cleaning solvent with a global warming potential of 370, which will be banned from use in the U.S. after 2014. We look forward to working with the aerospace, electronics, and other industries to demonstrate the cleaning power and environmental performance of Solstice PF.”

HCFC-225, also known as AK-225, is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, which are ozone-depleting substances being phased out globally under the terms of the Montreal Protocol.

Solstice PF exhibits excellent solvency for a wide variety of solutes including hydrocarbon oils, silicone oils and greases, fluorinated oils, mineral oils, solder fluxes, hydraulic fluids, and others. Solstice PF’s versatility allows it to be used in vapour degreasing, immersion cleaning or as a spray cleaner. Other potential applications include medical device cleaning, plastic parts cleaning, and oxygen and process line flushing.

Honeywell's family of Solstice-branded products includes stationary and mobile refrigerants, gaseous blowing agents, solvents, and propellants based on Honeywell’s new hydrofluoro-olefin technology that helps customers lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing end-product performance.

The products have been developed and are being commercialised by Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business, a leader in the manufacture and supply of non-ozone-depleting refrigerants used by top air-conditioning and refrigeration makers worldwide; blowing agents for energy-efficient foam insulation; and hydrofluoric acid and precursors for nuclear fuel.