3M™ Novec™ 73DE Production Ending
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 73DE or BestSolv™ Bravo today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
BestSolv™ 73DE – 3M™ Novec™ 73DE Replacement Fluid
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 73DE, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 73DE and BestSolv™ Bravo as Novec™ 73DE alternatives. BestSolv™ 73DE solvent fluid is formulated as a same molecule, drop-in 3M™ Novec™ 73DE 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™ 73DE Engineered Fluid?
BestSolv™ 73DE is a high-performance solvent designed for heavy-duty vapor degreasing and immersion cleaning applications. Due to its exceptional solvency and reduced surface tension, it is highly effective in cleaning delicate components. BestSolv™ 73DE Engineered Fluid features low toxicity, non-flammability, zero ozone depletion, and minimal global warming potential. BestSolv™ 73DE is chemically identical to the soon-to-be-discontinued 3M™ Novec™ 73DE.
The high solvency of BestSolv™ 73DE also makes it suitable for dewaxing applications and cleaning solder flux residue. It is compatible with most metals, ceramics and many hard plastics such as nylon, PFTE, epoxy and PEEK. The azeotropic nature of BestSolv™ 73DE keeps its composition constant at the boiling point, providing stable, dependable performance in vapor degreaser machines.
BestSolv™ 73DE provides outstanding cleaning capabilities in a solvent with an excellent safety profile. Its advantages are especially valuable for the cleaning of components in medical devices, electronics and aerospace equipment during the manufacturing process.
BestSolv™ 73DE Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of BestSolv™ 73DE consists of a hydrofluoroether (HFE) blend of BestSolv™ 7300 and 1,2 trans DCE.
| Name | Alternate Names | Chemical Formula | CAS Number |
| HFE7300 | Pentane, 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)- 3-Methoxyperfluoro(2-methylpentane) | C7H3F13O | CAS 132182‑92‑4 |
| 1,2 trans DCE | trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene TCE | C2H2Cl2 | CAS 156-60-5 |
BestSolv™ 73DE Features and Benefits
- Effective heavy-duty cleaning of greases, oils, waxes, silicones and non-polar flux residues
- 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 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
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Safety Data Sheet | |
Technical Data Sheet |
BestSolv™ 73DE Applications
BestSolv™ 73DE Engineered Fluid is well-suited for a wide variety of electronics and precision cleaning applications, including immersion cleaning, vapor degreasing and deposition solvent applications.
As a solvent cleaner, BestSolv™ 73DE delivers effective performance for vapor degreasing, with its high solvency and low surface tension. The azeotropic properties of BestSolv™ 73DE make it easy to maintain and use in a vapor degreaser, with stable composition during extended use. Compared to aqueous cleaning, BestSolv™ 73DE offers faster cycle times, lower energy usage and improved cleaning of parts.
BestSolv™ 73DE solvent removes many kinds of soils, including light and medium oils, greases, silicones, flux and waxes, leaving no residue behind.
BestSolv™ 73DE is also effective for lubricant deposition applications requiring high solvency.
Example applications of BestSolv™ 73DE include:
- Solvent cleaner for heavy greases, oils, waxes, silicones and non-polar flux residues
- Immersion cleaning of oils, greases and waxes
- Cleaning solvent for vapor degreasing
- Lubricant deposition applications where increased solvency is desired
Properties of 3M™ Novec™ 73DE vs BestSolv™ 73DE and BestSolv™ Bravo
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 73DE | BestSolv™ 73DE* | BestSolv™ Bravo* |
| 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 | 118 °F / 48 °C | 118 °F / 48 °C | 113.9 °F / 45.5 °C |
| Stability | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope |
| Vapor Pressure | 263 mmHg | 263 mmHg | 292 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.28 g/cm2 | 1.28 g/cm2 | 1.27 g/cm2 |
| Surface Tension | 19.9 dynes/cm | 19.9 dynes/cm | 19 dynes/cm |
| Kauri-Butanol Value | 83 Kb | 83 Kb | 94 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™ 73DE Compatible With?
BestSolv™ 73DE Engineered Fluid is a high solvency cleaning fluid that is compatible with most metals, ceramics and solvent-resistant plastics. Parts containing solvent-sensitive plastics and elastomeric materials should be evaluated through testing. BestSolv™ 73DE is not compatible with acrylics, ABS, polycarbonates, polystyrene, silicone or fluorosilicone.
| Metals | Polymers/Plastics | Elastomers* |
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*Low compatibility with Silicones. 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™ 73DE Packaging
| Product # | SKU | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| BestSolv™ 73DE-55 | 2473004555 | 55 gal. drum |
| BestSolv™ 73DE-05 | 2473004505 | 5 gal. pail |
| BestSolv™ 73DE-01 | 2473004501 | 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.