HFC-43-10 is a special fluorocarbon liquid selected by DuPont to be the cornerstone upon which the rest of the Vertrel^® family of cleaners is built.

There are many types of HFCs. The one selected by DuPont is specifically "HFC 43-10mee" or 2,3-dihydrodecafluoropentane; the chemical formula for the material is C₅H₂F₁₀. It is a clear, colorless liquid with "zero" ozone depletion and low global warming potentials. It is ideally suited for use in vapor degreasing equipment for cleaning, rinsing, and drying. It is a great replacement for the popular hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC-141b and HCFC-225, both of which are ozone-depleters), the brominated solvents and the fully-fluorinated solvents (PFCs).

Unique physical properties include a high density, low viscosity and low surface tension. These attributes, combined with its nonflammability, chemical and thermal stability, low toxicity, and ease of recovery by distillation, make HFC-43-10mee ideal for a broad range of applications. By itself, it is a very mild solvent and selective on the contaminates it will remove, but solvency can easily be enhanced by use of appropriate azeotropes of alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, etc.

As with all solvents, technicians should wear gloves and eye protection when using these products.

Here are a few details about the cleaner:

Physical Data	Boiling Point:	40.2° C
	Molecular Weight	252
	Boiling Point, ° C (° F)	55 (130)
	Vapor Pressure, mm Hg (psia)	226 (4.4)
	Specific Gravity (Density) g/cc (lb/gal)	1.58 (13.2)
	Surface Tension, dyn/cm	14.1
	Viscosity, cPs	0.67
	Solubility in Water, ppm	140
	Heat of Vaporization (at boiling point), cal/g (Btu/lb)	31.0 (55.7)
Safety	Flash Point, Closed Cup	None
	Exposure Limits, ppm, 8- and 12-hr TWA	200
	Exposure Limits, ppm, Ceiling	400

In terms of toxicity and worker safety, HFC-43-10mee is listed in most national chemical inventories, such as TSCA in the U.S., ELINICS in Europe, Chemical Substances Control Law (MITI/MHW) in Japan, DSL (notified) in Canada, NICNAS in Australia, and TCCL in Korea. HFC-43-10mee is not a hazardous air pollutant (HAP), and therefore not subject to NESHAP regulation. Spent HFC-43-10mee is is not a RCRA characteristic or listed waste (however, addition of contaminants could change that status). HFC-43-10mee is is not included in the SARA Title III Section 313 list of toxic chemicals, and is not subject to SARA Title III (EPCRA) reporting requirements.

Some competitors and customers have questions about the toxicity of HFC-43-10mee, specifically the "exposure ceiling" of 400 ppm. Users are strongly recommended to satisfy their own curiosity and concerns with thorough research into the chemisty, including a detailed summary of all the toxicity tests. In addition, users should review the FAQs about the chemicals, their proper use, issues surrounding flammability, toxicity, skin contact, eye contact and/or accidental ingestion, and safe handling and storage. If other questions remain, please feel free to contact Micro Care.

HFC-43-10mee also is an excellent choice for environmental reasons. HFC-43-10mee is accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances. HFC 43-10mee or decafluoropentane is exempt from classification as a volatile organic compound (VOC) by the EPA. Neat HFC-43-10mee is VOC compliant under the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations, which require a VOC content of less than 50 g/L of solvent.

HFC-43-10mee is ideally suited for use in Vertrel^® solvents cleaning because of its low viscosity and high density, which results in a thinner boundary layer which enhances cleaning. This is especially true when working with fine particulate residues in the submicron range. This type of cleaning requires a solvent that can minimize the thickness of the laminar boundary layer where particles are ionically bonded to the substrate. If the boundary layer thickness is less than the particle diameter, momentum from the flowing solvent can efficiently dislodge the particles and carry them away. HFC-43-10mee easily produces thin boundry layer functions for superior cleaning results.

In contrast, common aqueous cleaning fluids, which are usually mixtures of dionized water and detergents, have higher viscosities and lower densities compared to HFC-43-10mee, making them less efficient cleaners.

Another common cleaning technique is the addition of ultrasonics to the solvent. High frequency, ultrasonic waves produce tiny bubbles which collapse with enormous energies (cavitate) as the wave passes. Cavitation energy increases with decreasing viscosity, so HFC-43-10mee is highly effective in ultrasonic applications.

Neat HFC-43-10mee can be used for rinsing, drying and in the mildest cleaning applications. Importantly, it easily blends with other chemistries, forming azeotropes or simple blends, which can greatly amplify the cleaning process. HFC-43-10mee forms azeotropes or constant boiling mixtures with many similar boiling range components. Eight nonflammable proprietary azeotrope compositions have been developed by DuPont for precision cleaning and defluxing.

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