Vertrel^® XP is a mild, affordable precision cleaner targeted on removing fine particulate matter from metal and nonmetal parts. Contaminants such as dust particles, skin flakes, fibers and other process contaminants are easily removed by this solvent due to the thin laminar boundary layer of the solvent. The cleaner also has a high density, low viscosity and low surface tension so that fine particles can be debonded efficiently. It is ideally suited for use in vapor degreasing equipment. It offers excellent solvency for polar soils while maintaining unchallenged compatibility with most plastic, ceramic and metal components.

In addition, Vertrel^® XP is one of the most popular choices for use as a light-duty drying agent. It will remove water and water spots from precision surfaces quickly and cost-effectively.

Typical applications include removing water from optics, the pre-sputter cleaning of disk media and head stack assemblies, and precision mechanical cleaning. Typical contaminates include particulate, light soils and fingerprints. Engineers will select this cleaner when the mild cleaning of organic and/or ionic contamination is required, and materials compatibility is priority.

Specifically, Vertrel^® XP is a proprietary azeotrope of a nonflammable hydrofluorocarbon HFC solvent called HFC 43-10mee (which is also known as 2,3-dihydrodeca-fluoropentane) and isopropanol.

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

Most plastics and elastomers can be safely cleaned in Vertrel^® XP. No plastics or elastomers failed 15 minute immersion tests, which is longer than a typical cleaning cycle. Vertrel^® XP also is compatible with stainless steel, aluminum, copper and brass after exposures lasting two weeks at 100°C (212°F).

Data from toxicity studies has demonstrated that Vertrel^® XP has low toxicity. It has been assigned an 8-hour TWA AEL by DuPont of 213 ppm, along with a 400 ppm ceiling. The cleaner is a slight skin and eye irritant and has low inhalation toxicity.

Vertrel^® XP exhibits no closed cup or open cup flash point, and is not classified as a flammable liquid by NFPA or DOT. In addition, the product has no vapor flammability limits in air.

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^® XP 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. The product is VOC compliant under the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regula-tions which require VOC content less than 50 g/L of solvent. The components of Vertrel^® XP are TSCA listed and none of the ingredients are hazardous air pollutants (HAP), and therefore not subject to NESHAP regulation.

Vertrel^® XP is easily recoverable by off-line and in-line distillation equipment such as a vapor degreaser or a still. It is thermally stable and does not oxidize or degrade during storage.

Vertrel^® XP is available commercially 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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