3M™ Novec™ 7200 Production Ending
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 7200 today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
BestSolv™ 7200 (HFE 7200) – 3M™ Novec™ 7200 Replacement Fluid
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 7200, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 7200 as a Novec™ 7200 alternative. BestSolv™ 7200 solvent fluid is formulated as a same molecule, drop-in 3M™ Novec™ 7200 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™ 7200 (HFE 7200) Engineered Fluid?
The BestSolv™ 7200 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 7200, BestSolv™ 7200 is a clear, colorless and low-odor fluid. Its chemical composition is ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether C6H5F9O (CAS 163702-06-5).
Aside from being efficient in transferring heat and cleaning solvents, BestSolv™ 7200 (HFE 7200) is characterized by its low toxicity, non-flammable nature, zero ozone depletion, and minimal global warming potential.
BestSolv™ 7200 (HFE 7200) is a high-purity neat HFE in itself and also acts as the base chemical for various other BestSolv™ HFE products that share the “72” prefix, like BestSolv™ 72DE and BestSolv™ 72DA (containing t-DCE, also known as trans-1,2-dichloroethylene).
BestSolv™ 7200 Applications
As a cleaning solvent, BestSolv™ 7200 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™ 7200 is non-conductive and has high dielectric strength, making it ideal for use in electrical and electronic applications. For cooling purposes, BestSolv™ 7200 is an excellent HFE coolant. Data center components can be submerged in BestSolv™ 7200 while still running, without damage to delicate electronics.
As a deposition or carrier solvent, BestSolv™ 7200 ensures a consistent coating on parts with complex geometry. Its low viscosity and low surface tension ensure coverage even in hard-to-reach places.
Other applications of BestSolv™ 7200 include:
- Cold cleaner (flex circuits, wipe solvent)
- Specialty solvents, dispersion medium, reaction medium, extraction solvent
- Lubricant carrier for fluorochemicals and silicones
- Movie film cleaning
BestSolv™ 7200 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 |
3M™ Novec™ 7200 vs BestSolv™ 7200 Properties
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 7200 | BestSolv™ 7200* |
| Cost Comparison | $$$$ | $$ |
| Composition | HFE7200 | HFE7200 |
| Cleaning Performance | Light Duty | Light Duty |
| Boiling Point | 168 °F / 76 °C | 168 °F / 76 °C |
| Freeze / Melting Point | -216 °F / -138 °C | -216 °F / -138 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 109 mmHg | 110 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.43 g/cm2 | 1.43 g/cm3 |
| Viscosity | <1.0 cP | <1.0 cP |
| Heat of Vaporization (at bp) | 125 kJ/kg | 125 kJ/kg |
| Specific Heat | 1.2 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C | 1.2 KJ/kg-K@ 25°C |
| Dielectric Constant | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | Low | Low |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | None | None |
| Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Designation | Exempt | Exempt |
| Flash Point | 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™ 7200 vs 3M™ Novec™ 7200 Isomeric Comparison
BestSolv™ 7200 and 3M™ Novec™ 7200 chemicals have identical primary isomers with near-identical properties and characteristics as shown above. Isomers are molecules with the same elemental molecular formula C6H5F9O that vary in connectivity (arrangements of atoms in space) as a result of differing manufacturing processes.
3M™ Novec™ 7200 is made through electrofluorination (ECF), producing two isomers:
- Ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether – CF3CF(CF3)CF2OCH2CH3 (CAS 163702-06-5)
- Ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether – C4F9OCH2CH3 (CAS 163702-05-4)
These isomers cannot be separated during synthesis. The isomers are nearly identical and do not change the properties or characteristics of the fluid.
BestSolv™ 7200 is made by an anionic catalytic polymerization process and contains a single iso-butyl isomer:
- Ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether – CF3CF(CF3)CF2OCH2CH3 (CAS 163702-06-5)
The single isomer in BestSolv™ 7200 has essentially identical properties to the two combined Novec™ 7200 n- and iso-butyl isomers above.
In 2020, the 3M™ Novec™ 7200 formulation increased from 50%-70% to 55-90% the ratio of isomer ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether (CAS 163702-06-5) to ethyl nonafluorobutyl ether (CAS 163702-05-4). BestSolv™ 7200 and 3M™ Novec™ 7200 chemicals exhibit near-identical properties and characteristics.
What is BestSolv™ 7200 Compatible With?
BestSolv™ 7200 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 |
*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™ 7200 Packaging
| Product # | SKU | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| BestSolv™ 7200-55 | 2472000055 | 55 gal. drum |
| BestSolv™ 7200-05 | 2472000005 | 5 gal. pail |
| BestSolv™ 7200-01 | 2472000001 | 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.