3M™ Novec™ 7100 Production Ending
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 7100 or BestSolv™ Sierra today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
BestSolv™ 7100 – 3M™ Novec™ 7100 Replacement Fluid
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 7100, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 7100 and BestSolv™ Sierra as Novec™ 7100 alternatives. BestSolv™ 7100 solvent fluid is formulated as a same molecule, drop-in 3M™ Novec™ 7100 replacement fluid based on the 3M™ announcement of the Novec™ fluid phase out in 2022.
Learn more about the BestSolv™ product line of 3M™ Novec™ replacements.
What is BestSolv™ 7100 Engineered Fluid?
BestSolv™ 7100 Engineered Fluid is a specialized hydrofluoroether (HFE) designed for various industries and uses. It excels in heat management for semiconductor manufacturing, offers efficient cooling for data centers via immersion, and serves as a reliable solvent for cleaning and rinsing purposes.
Also known as HFE 7100, BestSolv™ 7100 is a clear, colorless and low-odor fluid. Its chemical composition is methoxy-nonafluorobutane, also known as methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether C4F9OCH3 (CAS 163702-08-7).
Aside from being efficient in transferring heat and solvent cleaning, BestSolv™ 7100 is characterized by its low toxicity, non-flammable nature, zero ozone depletion, and minimal global warming potential.
BestSolv™ 7100 is a high-purity neat HFE in itself and also acts as the base chemical for various other BestSolv™ HFE products that share the “71” prefix, like BestSolv™ 71IPA (containing isopropyl alcohol) and BestSolv™ 71DE (containing t-DCE, also known as trans-1,2-dichloroethylene).
BestSolv™ 7100 Features and Benefits
- Effective light-duty cleaning and rinsing of particulates, fluoro lubes, light oils, fluoro greases
- Low global warming potential (GWP)
- Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)
- Non-flammable
- Non-conductive
- VOC-exempt solvent (U.S. EPA)
- Replacement for CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, PFCs, Novec™ HFEs
- Low toxicity makes it safe for workers and the environment
- Low surface tension allows it to penetrate tight spaces for thorough cleaning
Data Sheets
| Type | |
Safety Data Sheet | |
Technical Data Sheet |
Case Study: BestSolv™ 7100 for Latent Fingerprint Applications
Download our Latent Fingerprint case study to learn more about the benefits of BestSolv™ 7100 as a replacement for 3M™ Novec™ 7100 in forensic investigation applications.
BestSolv™ 7100 Applications
As a cleaning solvent, BestSolv™ 7100 is suited for light-duty cleaning, rinsing or vapor degreasing and is compatible with a wide variety of materials, including metal, glass and many plastics.
As a heat transfer agent, BestSolv™ 7100 is non-conductive and has high dielectric strength, making it ideal for use in electrical and electronic applications. For cooling purposes, BestSolv™ 7100 is an excellent HFE coolant. Data center components can be submerged in BestSolv™ 7100 while still running, without damage to delicate electronics.
Other applications of the surprisingly versatile BestSolv™ 7100 include:
- Dielectric testing
- Calibration fluid
- Forensic fingerprint analysis
- Oxygen system cleaning
- Document preservation
- Organic rankine cycle
- Lubricant carrier for fluorochemicals and silicones
- Preservation of biological specimens
Properties of 3M™ Novec™ 7100 vs BestSolv™ 7100, BestSolv™ Sierra and BestSolv™ Zeta
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 7100 | BestSolv™ 7100* | BestSolv™ Sierra* | BestSolv™ Zeta* |
| Cost Comparison | $$$$ | $$ | $ | $$$$ |
| Composition | HFE7100 | HFE7100 | Hydrofluoroether (HFE) | HCFO/HFO PFAS-Free |
| Replacement Type | Exact Molecule | Similar Molecule, Drop-In Replacement | PFAS-Free Drop-In Replacement | |
| Approved Applications |
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| Cleaning Performance | Light Duty | Light Duty | Light Duty | Medium Duty |
| Boiling Point | 142 °F / 61 °C | 138 °F / 59 °C | 132 °F / 56 °C | 129 °F / 54 °C |
| Freeze / Melting Point | -211 °F / -135 °C | -211 °F / -135 °C | -135 °F / -93 °C | -116 °F / -82 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 202 mmHg | 210 mmHg | 232 mmHg | 240 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.5 g/cm2 | 1.5 g/cm2 | 1.47 g/cm2 | 1.39 g/cm2 |
| Viscosity | <1.0 cP | <1.0 cP | < 1.0 cP | 0.57 cP |
| Heat of Vaporization (at bp) | 112 kJ/kg | 112 kJ/kg | 163 kJ/kg | 213 kJ/kg |
| Specific Heat | 1.2 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C | 1.2 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C | 1.28 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C | 1.34 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C |
| Dielectric Constant | 7.4 | 7.3 | 6.6 | 12.3 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | Low | Low | Low | <1 |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | None | None | None | None |
| Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Designation | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Flash Point | None | None | None | None |
*Note: Information is provided by Best Technology, not 3M™. 3M™ does not endorse or recommend any alternative material. As such, the customer is responsible for evaluation of the material’s various properties when looking at alternatives.
BestSolv™ 7100 vs 3M™ Novec™ 7100 Isomeric Comparison
BestSolv™ 7100 and 3M™ Novec™ 7100 chemicals have identical primary isomers with near-identical properties and characteristics as shown above. Isomers are molecules with the same elemental molecular formula C5H3F9O that vary in connectivity (arrangements of atoms in space) as a result of differing manufacturing processes.
3M™ Novec™ 7100 is made through electrochemical fluorination (ECF), producing two isomers:
- Methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether – (CF3)2CFCF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-08-7)
- Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether – CF3CF2CF2CF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-07-6)
These isomers cannot be separated during synthesis. The isomers are nearly identical and do not change the properties or characteristics of the fluid.
BestSolv™ 7100 is made by an anionic catalytic polymerization process and contains a single iso-butyl isomer:
- Methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether – (CF3)2CFCF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-08-7)
The single isomer in BestSolv™ 7100 has essentially identical properties to the two combined Novec™ 7100 n- and iso-butyl isomers above.
In 2020, the 3M™ Novec™ 7100 formulation increased from 20%-80% to 55-90% the ratio of isomer methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether (CAS 163702-08-7) to methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (CAS 163702-07-6). BestSolv™ 7100 and 3M™ Novec™ 7100 chemicals exhibit near-identical properties and characteristics.
What is BestSolv™ 7100 Compatible With?
BestSolv™ 7100 Engineered Fluid is compatible with a wide range of metals, glass and many plastics. It is ideal for thermal heat transfer, immersion cooling and thermal management applications. As a solvent, it offers effective light-duty cleaning strength and spot-free rinsing performance, and is compatible with vapor degreasing and immersion cleaning.
| Metals | Polymers/Plastics | Elastomers* |
| Aluminum, Brass, Copper*, Steel, Stainless Steel | ABS, Acrylics (PMMA), Epoxy, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, Polyester, PET, Phenolic | Butyl Rubber, EPDM, Natural Rubber, Nitrile Rubber |
*Heat aging resulted in slight surface oxidation of copper. Some swelling of PTFE and silicone rubber. The customer is responsible for ensuring specific material compatibility, which should always be verified through testing with specific contaminants under process-specific cleaning conditions.
3M™ Novec™ Voluntary Phase Out Announcement
On December 20, 2022, 3M™ announced plans to exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of the PFAS in its product portfolio by the end of 2025.
As an authorized 3M™ Engineered Fluids distributor, Best Technology remains committed to our customers throughout this transition and continues to receive 3M™ Novec™ products. We will continue to advocate for our customers to fulfill current orders as well as secure products for future orders. We highly recommend preparing for the phaseout by testing BestSolv™ replacement fluids.
BestSolv™ 7100 Packaging
| Product # | SKU | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| BestSolv™ 7100-55 | 2471000055 | 55 gal. drum |
| BestSolv™ 7100-05 | 2471000005 | 5 gal. pail |
| BestSolv™ 7100-01 | 2471000001 | 1 gal. metal container |
BestSolv™ Price and Ordering
For purposes of product stewardship, Best Solv™ Engineered Fluids cannot be sold directly online and are available for customers in the United States only.
Please contact our chemical sales department for a quote by clicking the “Get a Quote” button, or call 612-392-2414, ext. 2.