Frequently Asked Questions on Industrial Cleaning Products


MicroCare is a world leader in precision cleaning, coating and lubricating. Over the years we've developed a body of knowledge about these process and products that is second-to-none. Some of that expertise is included here, in hundreds of different FAQs about chemistries, contamination, cleaning processes and environmental issues. Example of FAQs:
1. What Is "Flash Point" and Why Is It Important?
2. What is an Azeotrope? Why Are They Important?
3.Which Cleaner is Best at Removing Conformal Coatings?

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Note
These FAQs include references to products from many companies. Please note the following trademarks: The terms "Vertrel" , "Freon", and "Krytox" are all registered trademarks of DuPont Corp. and used with permission. "Genesolv" is a registered trademark of Honeywell Corp. "Lenium", "Axarel" and "Bioact" are registered trademarks of Petroferm Inc. "Ionox" is a registered trademark of Kyzen Corp. "Novec" is a registered trademark of 3M Corp.

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Q.  What Is a Toxicity Rating (PEL, TLV, AEL)? Which Solvent Is the Safest (Has the Least Toxicity)?

A. 

FAQ 29 -- It probably is VeriClean™. This is a remarkable and very safe solvent. The MSDS sheet for the raw material says "No first aid should be required." You don't get much safer than that.

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Q.  Which MicroCare Solvents Are the Least Flammable?

A. 

FAQ 34 -- MicroCare has many nonflammable cleaners. Our favorites include PowerClean™ (#MCC-PW2) which has been engineered for lead-free fluxes and pastes and Flux Remover C (#MCC-FRC) when you need a cleaner in a variety of packages, such as an aerosol and bulk and in pump sprays as well.

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Q.  Which Solvent Dries the Fastest?

A. 

FAQ 35 -- The fastest-drying solvent made by MicroCare is the Fiber Connector Cleaner II (#MCC-FCC03M). Engineered for cleaning inside fiber optic alignment sleeves, it dries extremely quickly to minimize solvent entrapment. For electronics, the fastest-drying solvent is PowerClean (#MCC-PW2).

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Q.  Does MicroCare Have Any Solvents Suitable for Use in Vapor Degreasers?

A. 

FAQ 56 -- Yes. MicroCare's Flux Remover C (#MCC-FRC) is a great choice for defluxing PCBs, and for general degreasing MicroCare's Heavy Duty Degreaser C is a fine option. We have many more, also...

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Q.  What Is the "Trans" Ingredient in Some of the MicroCare Solvents?

A. 

FAQ 100 -- Trans 1,2-Dichloroethylene is an additive used in solvents designed to replace old-style CFC, HCFC and chlorinated solvents such as "Genesolv®" and "HyperClean™." The reason "trans" is added to solvents is because it is a safe but powerful solvent.

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Q.  What Is a Kb Value? What Does It Tell Me About My Solvent?

A. 

FAQ 101 -- The cleaning power of solvents is measured by an industry benchmark test called the Kari-Butanol test. The result of the test is a Kari-Butanol value. Mild cleaners have low scores in the tens and twenties; powerful cleaners like the old chlorinated solvents have ratings in the low hundreds. Look on the product specs to see the Kb rating for the products your considering.

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Q.  Are There Toxicity Issues with Trans?

A. 

FAQ 102 -- In general, no. Properly used, 1,2-trans-dichloroethylene is safe and generally not highly toxic.

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Q.  Which Solvents Can I Take on a Commercial Aircraft?

A. 

FAQ 107 -- MicroCare has six TravelSAFE™ cleaners which are approved for transport on commercial aircraft: a degreaser, a defluxer and a contact cleaner, plus three cleaners for optical and photonics applications.

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Q.  What Is TravelSAFE Packaging and Why Is It Important?

A. 

TravelSAFE products save money because the packaging allows the high-purity solvent to be shipped by air or ocean without the delays and expenses of shipping hazardous materials. Typical applications will be in capital equipment, telecoms, airlines, oil fields and security.

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Q.  What Is the Triton™ Three-Way Dispenser and Why Is It Important?

A. 

FAQ 129 -- The Triton™ dispenser is a patented, 3-way dispensing "cap" used on all the TravelSAFE™ solvents from MicroCare. This cap enhances the usefulness of the solvent through improved cleaning, faster cleaning, reduced waste, and three different ways to dispense the solvent.

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Q.  What Is Vertrel and What Is It Used For?

A. 

FAQ 136 -- "Vertrel®" is a brand name that describes a group of fluorinated specialty fluids made by DuPont Corp. and sold by MicroCare. These cleaners are safe, fast-drying, usually nonflammable, and generally benign in the environment.

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Q.  Do You Have Any Certification to Prove Your Products Are Not Hazardous?

A. 

FAQ 145 -- No, we don't have a specific or standardized "cert" about hazards and safety. Customers should read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheets to make their own informed decisions.

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Q.  Does Cleaning PCBs in an Ultrasonic Machine Damage Components?

A. 

FAQ 171 -- If you have an old ultrasonic cleaning system, then probably yes, it could cause damage. But newer technologies have minimized this problem to a great degree.

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