3M™ Novec™ 7100 Production Ending – Final Order Deadline
March 31, 2025 is the last day that orders for 3M™ Novec™ products will be accepted due to the phaseout.
Take control of your future by switching to BestSolv™ 7100 or BestSolv™ Sierra today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid is a proprietary hydrofluoroether (HFE) with unique properties that make it well-suited for a wide variety of industry sectors and applications. These include effectively managing heat in semiconductor fabrication, offering efficient cooling in data centers through immersion, and providing effective solvent cleaning and rinsing agents.
In addition to its efficient heat transfer and solvent cleaning capabilities, Novec™ 7100 has low toxicity, is non-flammable, non-ozone depleting, and has low global warming potential.
As a “neat” (pure) HFE fluid, Novec™ 7100 serves as the foundational chemical for other Novec™ product formulations that start with “71”, such as Novec™ 71IPA (with isopropyl alcohol) and Novec™ 71DE (with t-DCE, also known as trans-1,2-dicholoroethylene).
What is Novec™?
Novec™ is a brand of engineered fluid originally developed by 3M™ for use in vapor degreasing and precision cleaning. Novec™ fluids use hydrofluoroether (HFE) chemistry, and are non-flammable, low toxicity replacements for CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, n-propyl bromide (nPB) and chlorinated solvents.
What is Novec™ 7100?
3M™ Novec™ 7100 is a neat HFE (hydrofluoroether) fluid, meaning that it is not blended with other chemicals such as isopropanol or t-DCE. Also known as HFE 7100, Novec™ 7100 is a clear, colorless and low-odor fluid. Its chemical composition is methoxy-nonafluorobutane (C4F9OCH3). Novec™ 7100 fluid consists of two inseparable isomers with essentially identical properties. These are (CF3)2CFCF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-08-7) and CF3CF2CF2CF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-07-6).
Though originally designed as a replacement for CFCs and other chlorinated solvents, Novec™ 7100 hydrofluoroether has proven to be very versatile beyond solvent cleaning.
As a cleaning solvent, Novec™ 7100 is a hydrofluoroether 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, Novec™ 7100 is non-conductive and has high dielectric strength, making it ideal for use in electrical and electronic applications. For cooling purposes, Novec™ 7100 is an excellent HFE coolant (hydrofluoroether coolant). Data center components can be submerged in Novec™ 7100 while still running, without damage to delicate electronics.
Other applications of the surprisingly versatile 3M™ Novec™ 7100 include:
- Oxygen system cleaning
- Organic rankine cycle
- Forensic fingerprint analysis
- Lubricant carrier for fluorochemicals and silicones
- Preservation of biological specimens
- Document preservation.
Novec™ 7100 Features and Benefits
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid offers these 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
- Low toxicity makes it safe for workers and the environment
- Low surface tension allows it to penetrate tight spaces for thorough cleaning
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Data Sheets
| Data Sheets | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| 3M™ Novec™ 7100 Technical Data Sheet (PDF) | 55 gal. drum 4 gal. container 1 gal. glass container |
Previously, 3M™ Novec™ 7100 was offered in 3.25-gallon containers; however, those are no longer available and have been replaced with 4-gallon containers.
What is Novec™ 7100 Compatible With?
Novec™ 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.
Learn more about materials compatibility on our Solvent Cleaning page.
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.
3M™ Novec™ 7100 Replacement Fluid – BestSolv™ 7100 or Sierra
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 7100, Best Technology offers two options for replacements for 3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid:
- BestSolv™ 7100 is a Novec™ 7100 exact molecule replacement that uses the same HFE 7100 molecule as Novec™ 7100.
- BestSolv™ Sierra is a Novec™ 7100 drop-in replacement that uses a similar HFE molecule and is available at a lower price point.
Learn more about the BestSolv™ product line of 3M™ Novec™ replacements.
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.
3M™ Novec™ Price and Ordering
For purposes of product stewardship, 3M™ Novec™ 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.