3M™ Novec™ 72DE Production Ending
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 72DE or BestSolv™ Echo today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
BestSolv™ 72DE – 3M™ Novec™ 72DE Replacement Fluid
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 72DE, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 72DE and BestSolv™ Echo as Novec™ 72DE alternatives. BestSolv™ 72DE solvent fluid is formulated as a same molecule, drop-in 3M™ Novec™ 72DE 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™ 72DE Engineered Fluid?
BestSolv™ 72DE is a specially formulated fluid that is ideal for vapor degreasing and immersion cleaning processes. Its low surface tension makes it excellent at cleaning intricate components. BestSolv™ 72DE is characterized by its minimal toxicity, non-flammable nature, no impact on ozone layer, and low contribution to global warming. BestSolv™ 72DE is chemically identical to the soon-to-be-discontinued 3M™ Novec™ 72DE.
BestSolv™ 72DE is ideal for heavy-duty cleaning and degreasing applications, and is highly effective in cleaning greases, oils and waxes. It offers heavy-duty cleaning strength for metals, ceramics and a variety of hard plastics such as nylon, PFTE, epoxy, and PEEK. It is also well-suited for coating and lubricant deposition applications that require increased solvency.
Based on a blend of azeotropes, BestSolv™ 72DE has consistent composition of vapor and liquid as it evaporates, leading to stable, dependable performance in vapor degreaser applications. For manufacturers of electronic components or precision parts, BestSolv™ 72DE is a versatile and effective cleaning solvent.
BestSolv™ 72DE Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of BestSolv™ 72DE consists of a hydrofluoroether (HFE) blend of BestSolv™ 7100 and BestSolv™ 7200 with 1,2 trans DCE.
| 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 |
BestSolv™ 72DE 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™ 72DE Applications
BestSolv™ 72DE Engineered Fluid is well-suited for a wide variety of electronics and precision cleaning applications, including immersion cleaning, vapor degreasing and specialty solvent applications.
As a solvent cleaner, BestSolv™ 72DE is especially effective for vapor degreasing, with its high solvency and low surface tension. Its low boiling point of 109 °F (43 °C) lets you clean and dry parts quickly. The azeotropic properties of BestSolv™ 72DE provide chemical stability, allowing for essentially constant vapor and liquid composition at its boiling point.
BestSolv™ 72DE solvent removes many types of soils, including light and medium oils, greases, silicones, fluoro silicones and waxes, without leaving behind any residue.
BestSolv™ 72DE is also effective for specialized coating and lubricant deposition tasks that require high solvency, as its low surface tension allows for complete coverage of complex geometries.
Example applications of BestSolv™ 72DE include:
- Solvent cleaning, rinsing and drying
- Immersion cleaning of oils, greases and waxes
- Specialty solvent applications
- Lubricant deposition solvent
- Oxygen system cleaning
Properties of 3M™ Novec™ 72DE vs BestSolv™ 72DE and BestSolv™ Echo
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 72DE | BestSolv™ 72DE* | BestSolv™ Echo* |
| Cost Comparison | $$$$ | $$ | $ |
| Composition |
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| Replacement Type | Exact Molecule | Similar Molecule, Drop-In Replacement | |
| Cleaning Performance | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty |
| Boiling Point | 109 °F / 43 °C | 109 °F / 43 °C | 108 °F / 42 °C |
| Stability | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope |
| Vapor Pressure | 350 mmHg | 350 mmHg | 368 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.28 g/cm2 | 1.28 g/cm2 | 1.30 g/cm2 |
| Surface Tension | 19 dynes/cm | 19 dynes/cm | 18 dynes/cm |
| Kauri-Butanol Value | 52 Kb | 52 Kb | 74 Kb |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | Low | Low | Low |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 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. |
| Flash Point | 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™ 72DE Compatible With?
BestSolv™ 72DE 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™ 72DE 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™ 72DE Packaging
| Product # | SKU | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| BestSolv™ 72DE-55 | 2472004555 | 55 gal. drum |
| BestSolv™ 72DE-05 | 2472004505 | 5 gal. pail |
| BestSolv™ 72DE-01 | 2472004501 | 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.