The Vertrel^® XDA is the modern answer for displacement drying. The process relies on the high density and low surface tension (wetting ability) of the product to deliver spot-free drying of electrically non-conductive parts such as ceramic, glass, lenses and mirrors. Used in a 2- or 3-sump cascading process similar to a vapor degreaser, Vertrel^® XDA can quickly and effectively remove large amounts of water from metal, glass, or plastic parts and assemblies.

Vertrel^® XDA consists of three ingredients: a nonflammable hydrofluorocarbon HFC solvent called HFC 43-10mee (which is also known as 2,3-dihydrodeca-fluoropentane), a fluorosurfactant additive, and an anti-static additive. Vertrel^® XDA offers fast, low-energy, spot-free removal of water from hard-to-dry components. The process is efficient, safe and environmentally responsible.

Savvy engineers will chose Vertrel^® XDA drying agent when there is a need for fast, low-temperature (energy-efficient) spot-free drying that can accommodate a wide variety of water types and contamination. This system is often used to replace other drying agents -- partcularly after DI rinsing -- in many critical drying applicatiosn where speed and economics are as important as consistency.

Details about the solvent and its physical properties are found in the DuPont Product Spec sheet, available as a PDF file.

A major process in the finishing of glass, ceramic, plastic and metal components is the removal of residual water from the processed parts. There are a variety of methods to accomplish this task. The more common methods include evaporation, centrifugal, media absorbent, solvent absorption, and solvent displacement drying.

Solvent displacement drying is a highly effective method of water removal prior to plating, coating and other surface treatments of plastics, metals, mirrors, lenses, crystals, and ceramics. The method is particularly useful where reflective and refractive properties must be maintained. However, since the phase-out of CFCs and HCFC solvents, there have been few, if any, effective and affordable displacement drying solvents. Vertrel^® XDA fills this technical need.

Vertrel^® XDA uses an ingredient which is an anti-static agent. The anti-static agent has some volatility, so the rinsing agent and some portion of the anti-static agent are recoverable by off-line and in-line distillation equipment such as a vapor degreaser or a still. This recovered material is suitable for reuse in the rinse sumps. The fluoro-surfactant, critical for effective drying performance, has no vapor pressure and will remain in the boil sump or still bottoms.

Vertrel^® XDA is not designed to operate in isolation. The system also requires a rinsing agent to remove the drying agent from the components. Vertrel^® XF is the prefered rinsing agent. It will keep the drying fluid in the rinse sumps clean and at the proper level.

Both fluids are nonflammable and offer a drying system compatible with most plastics, elastomers, metals and other materials of construction. The displaced water, along with its water-soluble contaminants, will automatically float out of the drying sump and down the drain. The Vertrel^® drying bath will retain its effectiveness over long periods of use.

The Advantages of
Displacement Drying

Spot-Free Drying	Displacement drying depends uses the density of the drying fluid to rapidly displace the water
Low Energy Consumption	Displacement drying operates at a low operating temperature and consumes significantly less energy than ovens or hot air drying
Handles Changing pH	The Vertrel® drying system automatically accomodates a wide variety of water types and hardness
Removes Water-soluble Contamination	Since displacement drying removes the water without evaporation, it also removes all the contamination dissolved in the water
Low Chemical Consumption	Since the drying agent has no vapor pressure, it remains in the boil sump
Fast Cycle Times	Displacement drying works fast and avoids time-wasting drying cycles

Click here for more technical details on displacement drying and the optimal process to use.

Both Vertrel^® XDA and Vertrel^® XF are very compatible with all the common materials of construction. For example, no tested plastic or elastomer failed immersions tests of 15 minutes or less. The drying fluid also is compatible with aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel and zinc.

Vertrel^® XDA is not compatible with strong bases; therefore, contact with highly basic process materials is not recommended.

Data from acute toxicity studies has demonstrated that Vertrel^® XDA has low toxicity. DuPont has assigned the product an 8-hour AEL of 144 ppm. The product also is a slight skin and eye irritant and has low acute inhalation toxicity.

Vertrel^® XDA is nonflammable. It exhibits neither a closed cup nor an open cup flash point. In addition, the product has no vapor flammability limits in air. It is not classified as a flammable liquid by NFPA or DOT.

For further details about the safety of the solvent carefully read and understand the data in the DuPont Material Safety Data Sheet, available as a PDF file.

Vertrel^® specialty fluids have "zero" ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential. Vertrel^® XDA 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. Vertrel^® XDA is VOC compliant under the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations, which require VOC content less than 50 g/L of solvent. The components of Vertrel^® XDA are TSCA listed.

Vertrel^® XDA is thermally stable and does not oxidize or degrade during storage.

Vertrel^® XDA is available in 55-gal (208-L) drums, 5-gal (19-L) pails and one-gallon (five liter) packages. One-liter samples are available from MicroCare Marketing Services on request. Customers are encouraged to secure samples for compatibility and performance testing.

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