3M™ Novec™ 71DA 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™ 71DA or BestSolv™ Theta today. Don’t wait and risk production delays!
3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid
Precision cleaning for industrial applications often requires specialized solutions that are effective yet environmentally friendly. 3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid is one such solution that has gained popularity among manufacturers for its exceptional performance.
What sets Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid apart is its unique combination of attributes. It is non-flammable, and has low toxicity and a low global warming potential. Moreover, it evaporates quickly and leaves no residue, making it ideal for precision cleaning applications. With these qualities, Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid stands as a reliable and sustainable solution for various industrial cleaning needs.
In addition to vapor degreasing, 3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid is also known for its flux removal capabilities. Flux, commonly used in the soldering process, leaves behind residue that can negatively impact the performance and reliability of electronic components. Novec™ 71DA effectively removes this residue, ensuring optimal functionality of electronic devices.
What is Novec™?
Novec™ is a brand of engineered fluid 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™ 71DA?
3M™ Novec™ 71DA is a medium-duty cleaning and degreasing solution that balances cleaning strength with compatibility with plastics. It is an azeotropic blend that maintains a constant vapor and liquid composition at its boiling point, and can be used in a variety of vapor degreasing systems. Its low surface tension ensures effective cleaning of even the most intricate parts with complex geometries.
The chemical composition of 3M™ Novec™ 71DA is a hydrofluoroether (HFE) blend with 1,2 trans DCE and ethanol. The HFE portion of the blend consists of two inseparable isomers of methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (C4F9OCH3) with essentially identical properties. These are (CF3)2CFCF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-08-7) and CF3CF2CF2CF2OCH3 (CAS 163702-07-6).
As a defluxing agent, Novec™ 71DA is excellent for removing ionic contamination. The ethanol component of Novec™ 71DA fluid provides enhanced removal of ionic contaminants.
Novec™ 71DA is also beneficial for precision coating applications. It is an ideal deposition solvent for applying lubricants to various surfaces through vapor deposition techniques.
Example applications of 3M™ Novec™ 71DA include:
- Coating solvent for precision coating of silicones and other lubricants
- Lubricant deposition
- Precision cleaning, rinsing and drying agent
- Immersion cleaning of oils, greases, waxes, handling oils and solder flux residue.
Novec™ 71DA Features and Benefits
- Stable, azeotropic solvent blend
- Low global warming potential (GWP)
- Zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)
- Non-flammable
- Non-conductive
- Low toxicity makes it safe for workers and the environment
- Low surface tension allows it to penetrate tight spaces for thorough cleaning
3M™ Novec™ 71DA Data Sheets
| Data Sheets | Container Sizes Available (Gallons) |
| 3M™ Novec™ 71DA Technical Data Sheet (PDF) | 55 gal. drum 5 gal. metal container 1 gal. glass container |
What is Novec™ 71DA Compatible With?
Novec™ 71DA engineered fluid is ideal for flux removal and vapor degreasing operations. It is compatible with a wide range of metals and ceramics, and some plastics and elastomers. It should be noted that Novec™ 71DA is not compatible with acrylics, ABS or polycarbonates.
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™ 71DA Replacement Fluid – BestSolv™ 71DA or BestSolv™ Theta
Realizing our customers must transition away from 3M™ Novec™ 71DA, Best Technology offers BestSolv™ 71DA as a 3M™ Novec™ 71DA exact molecule replacement, or BestSolv™ Theta as a 3M™ Novec™ 71DA similar molecule, drop-in replacement, based on the 3M™ announcement of the Novec™ fluid phase out in 2022.
Learn more about the BestSolv™ product line of 3M™ Novec™ replacements.
Properties of 3M™ Novec™ 71DA vs BestSolv™ 71DA and BestSolv™ Theta
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 71DA | BestSolv™ 71DA* | BestSolv™ Theta* |
| Cost Comparison | $$$$ | $$ | $ |
| Composition |
|
|
|
| Replacement Type | Exact Molecule | Similar Molecule, Drop-In Replacement | |
| Cleaning Performance | Medium Duty | Medium Duty | Medium Duty |
| Boiling Point | 104 °F / 40 °C | 104 °F / 40 °C | 102 °F / 39 °C |
| Stability | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope | Near Azeotrope |
| Vapor Pressure | 381 mmHg | 381 mmHg | 368 mmHg |
| Liquid Density | 1.33 g/cm2 | 1.33 g/cm2 | 1.36 g/cm2 |
| Surface Tension | 16.4 dynes/cm | 16.4 dynes/cm | 17 dynes/cm |
| Kauri-Butanol Value | 33 Kb | 33 Kb | 63 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.
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.