3M™ Novec™ 72DA Production Ending
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 72DA or BestSolv™ Alpha today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
BestSolv™ 72DA – 3M™ Novec™ 72DA Replacement Fluid
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 72DA, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 72DA and BestSolv™ Alpha as Novec™ 72DA alternatives. BestSolv™ 72DA solvent fluid is formulated as a same molecule, drop-in 3M™ Novec™ 72DA 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™ 72DA Engineered Fluid?
BestSolv™ 72DA is an advanced engineered fluid designed for vapor degreasing and immersion cleaning operations. Its low surface tension allows for more effective cleaning of complex parts. BestSolv™ 72DA features low toxicity, non-flammability, zero ozone depletion, and minimal global warming potential. BestSolv™ 72DA is chemically identical to the soon-to-be-discontinued 3M™ Novec™ 72DA.
BestSolv™ 72DA provides heavy-duty cleaning power for metals, ceramics and many tough plastics such as nylon, PFTE, epoxy, and PEEK. The isopropanol in BestSolv™ 72DA delivers excellent performance in removing ionic contaminants. In addition, BestSolv™ 72DA is highly effective for solder flux removal.
Taken together, BestSolv™ 72DA’s precision cleaning capabilities make it a crucial element in the manufacturing of high-quality medical device and electronic products.
BestSolv™ 72DA Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of BestSolv™ 72DA consists of a hydrofluoroether (HFE) blend of BestSolv™ 7100 and BestSolv™ 7200 with 1,2 trans DCE and isopropanol.
| Name | Alternate Names | Chemical Formula | CAS Number |
| HFE7100 | methoxy-nonafluorobutane methyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether | C4F9OCH3 | CAS 163702-08-7 |
| HFE7200 | ethoxy-nonafluorobutane ethyl nonafluoroisobutyl ether | C4F9OC2H5 | CAS 163702-06-5 |
| 1,2 trans DCE | trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene TCE | C2H2Cl2 | CAS 156-60-5 |
| Isopropanol | Isopropyl Alcohol IPA | C3H8O | CAS 67-63-0 |
BestSolv™ 72DA Features and Benefits
- Ideal for vapor degreasing and precision cleaning applications
- Stable, azeotropic solvent blend
- Compatible with a wide range of materials
- Low global warming potential (GWP)
- Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)
- Non-flammable
- Non-conductive
- Replacement for CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, TCE, nPB, 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 |
BestSolv™ 72DA Applications
BestSolv™ 72DA Engineered Fluid is suitable for a wide range of electronics and precision cleaning tasks, including immersion cleaning, vapor degreasing and flux removal applications. The isopropanol in BestSolv™ 72DA provides enhanced removal of ionic contaminants.
As a solvent cleaner, BestSolv™ 72DA is ideal for vapor degreasing. Due to its low surface tension, it can effectively clean even the most detailed and fragile components without causing any harm to the surface. Its azeotropic properties provide chemical stability, allowing for essentially constant vapor and liquid composition at its boiling point.
BestSolv™ 72DA can effectively remove many types of soils, including light and medium oils, greases, ionic soils, silicones, fluoro silicones, fluxes and waxes, without leaving residue.
BestSolv™ 72DA is especially effective for removing flux during the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Its high solvency, non-flammable nature and stability make it an ideal choice for precision cleaning applications.
Example applications of BestSolv™ 72DA include:
- Solvent cleaning, rinsing and drying
- Immersion cleaning of oils, greases and waxes
- Cleaning of rosin solder flux residues
- Removal of ionic contaminants
- Deposition solvent
Properties of 3M™ Novec™ 72DA vs BestSolv™ 72DA and BestSolv™ Alpha and BestSolv™ Omega
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 72DA | BestSolv™ 72DA* | BestSolv™ Alpha* | BestSolv™ Omega* |
| Cost Comparison | $$$$ | $$ | $ | $$$$ |
| Composition |
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| Replacement Type | Exact Molecule | Similar Molecule, Drop-In Replacement | PFAS-Free Drop-In Replacement | |
| Cleaning Performance | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty |
| Boiling Point | 111 °F / 44 °C | 111 °F / 44 °C | 107 °F / 42 °C | 114 °F / 46 °C |
| Stability | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope |
| Vapor Pressure | 360 mmHg | 360 mmHg | 343 mmHg | 341 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.27 g/cm2 | 1.27 g/cm2 | 1.32 g/cm2 | 1.27 g/cm2 |
| Surface Tension | 18 dynes/cm | 18 dynes/cm | 18 dynes/cm | 22 dynes/cm |
| Kauri-Butanol Value | 58 Kb | 58 Kb | 80 Kb | 118 Kb |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | None | None | None | None |
| Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Designation | Yes – 1,2 trans DCE is a VOC. | Yes – 1,2 trans DCE is a VOC. | Yes – 1,2 trans DCE is a VOC. | Yes – 1,2 trans DCE is a VOC. |
| 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.
What is BestSolv™ 72DA Compatible With?
BestSolv™ 72DA Engineered Fluid is compatible with a wide variety of materials, including glass and ceramics, and metals like steel, aluminum and titanium, as well as certain plastics and some elastomers. Compatibility of plastics and elastomers depends on the specific materials and temperature and duration of exposure. Note that BestSolv™ 72DA is not suitable for acrylics, ABS or polycarbonates.
| Metals | Polymers/Plastics | Elastomers* |
| Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Tungsten, Zinc | Epoxy, Nylon, PEEK, PFTE | Low compatibility with Silicones. Parts containing elastomeric materials should be evaluated for compatibility. |
*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™ 72DA Packaging
| Product # | SKU | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| BestSolv™ 72DA-55 | 2472004155 | 55 gal. drum |
| BestSolv™ 72DA-05 | 2472004105 | 5 gal. pail |
| BestSolv™ 72DA-01 | 2472004101 | 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.