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.	Which MicroCare Solvents Contain VOCs?
A.	FAQ 23 -- Almost all MicroCare products contain VOCs to one degree or another. One exception is the newest addition to our family, the new LubriClean™ solvent. It's a mild cleaners/degreaser that is 100% VOC exempt. It's a great choice in communities where the VOC restrictions are most strict. Contact Cleaner C also is 100% VOC-free. Read More
Q.	Which Solvents Are Ozone-Safe? How Can I Tell?
A.	FAQ 24 -- All MicroCare aerosol solvents, pump sprays, stencil cleaners, fiber optic cleaners and wiping products are completely safe for the ozone layer. Read More
Q.	Is Global Warming a Problem With Any MicroCare Products?
A.	FAQ 25 -- The MicroCare solvents with the lowest GWP rating would be VeriClean™ and LubriClean™. The MicroCare precision duster products and freeze spray products sold in Europe have the lowest GWP possible, but are not available in the US yet. All the HFC- and HFE-based solvents and aerosols have higher GWP scores. No other MicroCare solvents have signifcant GWP ratings. Read More
Q.	Does MicroCare Sell Nonflammable Contact Cleaners?
A.	FAQ 26 -- Yes. Nonflammable contact cleaners are simply safer. Flammable contact cleaners are risky because sometimes people use aerosols in a sloppy manner without understanding the risks of what they were doing. It's simple really -- nonflammable is much, much better. Read More
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. Read More
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). Read More
Q.	Which Product Would You Recommend for Cleaning Soft Plastics?
A.	FAQ 41 -- If materials compatibility in an electronics assembly is the key issue, VeriClean™ is your best choice. For general surface cleaning use the Plastic, Metal and Glass Cleaner. If your cleaning any other precision surface, use the Precision Optical Cleaner. Read More
Q.	Which Cleaners Can I Use in California?
A.	FAQ 52 -- This is a very complex question, but the short answer would be either LubriClean™ (#MCC-DC2) or VeriClean™ (#MCC-DC1). There are other possibilities, but the details are intricate. Read More
Q.	How Can I Clean the Pins on In-circuit Test Systems?
A.	FAQ 76 -- Using a Trigger Grip and Contact Cleaner C, spray a small amount of solvent on to a lint-free wipe. Gently scrub the top of the pins with the wipe and let them air-dry. Read More
Q.	Which MicroCare Solvents Can Be Used in Canada?
A.	FAQ 81 -- Almost all of the MicroCare products are available in Canada. MSDS Sheets are available in both English and French in the Canadian format and all the products are labeled in compliance with Canadian regulations. Read More
Q.	Is MicroCare REACH Registered? Which Solvents Can I Use in Europe?
A.	FAQ 83 -- All of the MicroCare products sold in Europe are REACh compliant. In most European countries, all of the MicroCare products are acceptable except for the Bromothane™ cleaners. In Denmark, the aerosols are not acceptable due to the HFC propellant. Read More
Q.	What Can I Use to Clean Motors, Contacts, Relays and Potentiometers?
A.	FAQ 85 -- Contact Cleaner C is your best choice (#MCC-CCC). Read More
Q.	What Can I Use to Clean Corrosion Off the Gold Fingers on PCBs?
A.	FAQ 90 -- The TidyPen® is the best way to remove this corrosion. Read More
Q.	I Need a Solvent That Contains No Chlorine. What Have You Got?
A.	FAQ 94 -- Both VeriClean™ (#MCC-DC1) and Contact Cleaner C (#MCC-CCC) contain no free chlorine, and since they are ultra-pure there will be no residues left behind. Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
Q.	What's the Best Way to Handle and Store MicroCare Products?
A.	FAQ 114 -- The basic rule-of-thumb is that the solvents and tools must always be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and away from any source of ignition. Most importantly, users must be trained in the proper techniques to move and use these cleaners... Read More
Q.	Which Solvent Is the Mildest Cleaner that Won't Attack My Components?
A.	FAQ 126 -- The mildest cleaner is the Precision Optical Cleaner (#MCC-POC), which is a high-end product for lenses and soft plastics. For general purpose cleaning, the Plastic, Metal and Glass Cleaner (#MCC-PMG) is a great choice, and for electronic circuitry go with Contact Cleaner C (#MCC-CCC). Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More
Q.	What Solvent Can Replace Ethanol in Optical Applications?
A.	FAQ 134 -- We recommend MicroCare's Precision Optical Cleaner (#MCC-POC03M) for faster, more thorough, and more consistent cleaning. Read More
Q.	Which MicroCare Cleaner Is Acceptable in Clean Rooms?
A.	FAQ 135 -- In most Class 1000 clean rooms or tighter environments, neither the aerosol products nor the Trigger Grip system is acceptable. For high-purity cleaning, we recommend MicroCare's Precision Optical Cleaner (#MCC-POC03M) for fast and consistent cleaning. For circuit boards, the Flux Remover C (#MCC-FRC) in the Triton mini-pump dispenser would comply with clean room guidelines. Read More
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. Read More
Q.	Does any MicroCare product shipped to Canada contain either DEHP or BPA?
A.	FAQ 144 -- No, none of the MicroCare cleaners or tools contain these hazardous chemicals. Read More