Does MicroCare Sell Freeze Sprays and Dusters ('Canned Air')?

MicroCare a full line of precision dusters and freeze sprays . All are double-filtered for maximum purity. These products use an inert, nonflammable, ozone-safe liquid called HFC-134a (not 'air'!). They generally produce about 80 psi of 'pushing power' in the duster product and chill to about -50ºC for the freeze sprays. MicroCare also offers circuit chillers (e.g., freeze sprays) and the dusters in a variety of package sizes. European F-Gas Innovations In Europe, MicroCare uses a new, unique HFO propellant, which is an inert, nonflammable, ozone-safe liquid with the lowest possible global warming impact. These are the first electronics cleaners in the world to feature tetrafluoropropene, an innovative new hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) propellant, which features a very low global warming potential. These products comply with the EU’s new regulations to minimize global warming caused by industrial gasses (the “F-Gas rules”). Maximum Pressure We do something special on our precision duster products. Every can of MicroCare dusters are equipped with a unique, high-pressure spray valves. This gives these products more 'pushing power' to blow dust and lint from hard-to-reach places. You can tell if your cans are equipped with this valve because the nozzle on the top of the can has three little 'vents' in on each side. Another MicroCare innovation can be very useful: the StatZAP™ ESD Eliminator (#MCC-ZAP). In testing, we found many aerosols, all nonconductive freeze sprays and all canned air products were generating as much as 12,000 volts of ESD, more than enough to fry delicate electronic components. This effect comes from the friction of the molecules as they move down the plastic spray tube with which most of these products are shipped. The StatZap™ is simple, cheap and it works great. It fits on our aerosol cans and those of many of our competitors. It reduces the static charges to a harmless 50 volts. Made from durable aluminum and stainless steel, it probably is the best $6 insurance policy anybody can buy. Put a StatZap™ on all your aerosols and watch your ESD problems disappear. Anti-Static Freeze Sprays When compared to the regular can of freeze spray (#MCC-FRZ), the anti-static version of the freeze spray (#MCC-FRZA) should be used when conductive, ESD-safe properties are required. Some companies use a drop of methanol in their sprays; MicroCare uses a different additive because it avoids problems which can occur with methanol. Operationally, they are identical and interchangeable. Two Special Notes on Safety It's hard to imagine a simpler product than a precision duster or a can of freeze spray. But there are differences. First and foremost, the precision duster products DO NOT CONTAIN AIR. They must not be inhaled. Do not attempt to use them with any type of breathing apparatus. They actually contain a refrigerant gas that boils at -40˚C, so what comes out of the nozzle is actually the vapor from the boiling refrigerant. So while many people call them 'canned air' they are far, far from that. Do not inhale these products. Secondly, some of our competitors lower their costs by using flammable materials for their precision duster, a material called 'HFC-152b.' While it's a fine choice to blow dust off a camera lens, we think this a bad idea in an industrial environment where there are numerous sources of ignition and products can wander into unexpected applications. Stick to safe, nonflammable precision dusters and freeze sprays from MicroCare.

Is Global Warming a Problem With Any MicroCare Products?

The short answer is, maybe. Many of the cleaners used to replace alcohols, old- style chlorinated solvents, plus HCFCs and CFCs, all have Global Warming Potential (GWP) ratings of some degree or another. Careful engineers will need to determine which solvent works best in their application while minimizing the GWP. Most MicroCare product specifications list the solvent's 'Global Warming Impact' (GWP) when it is provided by the chemical manufacturers. Lower scores are better. The summary below might help you make a proper selection: Low GWP Solvents If you desire to use a low Global Warming Impact cleaning fluid, select the VOC-Free Flux Remover - UltraClean™ (#MCC-VOC) or the Universal Flux Remover (#MCC- UFR10A). Both are fast-drying solvents, with a very brief atmospheric life; low odor; great on no-clean fluxes; affordably priced. However, they may not be strong enough for every application, and UltraClean™ is flammable. Low GWP 'Canned Air' For customers in Europe, there is a new option: HFO-based cleaners. Today, this exciting new ingredient is used in the 'precision duster' and 'circuit chiller' aerosols (as well as two solvents, ProClean™ EU and VeriClean™ EU engineered by MicroCare for customers in Europe. Their ingredients have less than 1% of the global warming impact of older-style products while retaining the nonflammable status so important for worker safety. Special Note about the Environment Global temperature variation from the norm in 2015. Source: GISS Readers should be aware there is a 'Catch 22' to the effort to phase- out global warming solvents. With the exception of the HFO-based products, UltraClean™ and VeriClean™, most products with low GWP ratings probably will be a high VOC ('volatile organic compound') solvent. VOCs contribute to low-altitude smog, so if the air in your city is brown then switching to a high VOC/low GWP cleaner may not be the best idea. In fact, it may not even be permitted by local air quality regulators. (Search these FAQs for more details on 'VOCs.') Conversely, many products with low VOC content (a good choice for fighting against smog) have high GWP scores. So in general if you're worried about Global Warming you will want to use a high-VOC cleaner. If you're worried about VOCs, you're almost for certain headed back towards solvents with higher GWP ratings unless you can use VeriClean™ EU. And here's the real rub: none of this deals with other pressing issues like worker safety, waste disposal or affordability. Those are another group of issues for the savvy engineer to deal with. It's a tough call. But don't worry -- in the next few years MicroCare will be going further with new solvents and technologies, and introducing new cleaners using make even more progress towards protecting the environment. If you have questions, contact MicroCare where our experts can help sort out your options.

What is Freeze Spray, and How is it Used in the Electronics Industry?

Freeze spray is a cooling agent that rapidly lowers the temperature of electronic components to help diagnose overheating issues and identify intermittent faults. It is commonly used for troubleshooting electronic circuits, allowing technicians to pinpoint heat-sensitive failures and confirm or rule out faults in circuit boards. Freeze spray is effective for circuit testing because it cools specific areas of a PCB (printed circuit board) quickly and without residue. This instant cooling enables technicians to isolate and identify components that may be causing intermittent failures due to heat. By applying freeze spray directly to a suspected faulty component, the rapid cooling can indicate whether heat is affecting the component’s performance. If the component’s behavior changes with cooling, it is likely heat-sensitive, helping to narrow down and identify faults.

How Does Freeze Spray Work for Identifying Faults?

Freeze spray can be used in any repair step where diagnosing overheating or locating thermal intermittent flaws is required. It is especially useful for stabilizing sensitive components during hand soldering and testing. By applying freeze spray directly to a suspected faulty component, the rapid cooling can indicate whether heat is affecting the component’s performance. If the component’s behavior changes with cooling, it is likely heat-sensitive, helping to narrow down and identify faults. Freeze spray can chill surfaces to temperatures below -45˚F (-43ºC), and in certain conditions, as low as -60˚F (-51ºC). These low temperatures are critical for effective troubleshooting as they allow for immediate changes in component behavior, which aids in identifying faulty components quickly.

Is MicroCare REACH Registered? Which Cleaners Can I Use in Europe?

This is one area in which MicroCare really shines. MicroCare has made it easier for our European customers with products that are GHS, ROHS, WEEE, REACh, and F-Gas compliant. As you will see when you check out our SDS sheets, many of the MicroCare products — and all of our best-selling products — have been packaged to meet European safety and environmental specifications. Our labels come in multiple languages and feature all of the chemical details on the warning label, first aid instruction, and instructions for the safe use of the chemical in each language. Each package also features any applicable European safety symbols to indicate hazardous materials or packaging. In addition, MicroCare modified most of the products sold in Europe to feature the world's first non-HFC propellant, which virtually eliminates the problem of Global Warming for these products. All MicroCare products in Europe comply with the RoHS and WEEE regulations on lead-free products. We also comply with the requirements of the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list. All MicroCare products available in Europe are REACh-compliant . Naturally, REACH-complaint, Globally Harmonized (GHS) Safety Data Sheets are available in sixteen languages in convenient, easy-to-print PDF formats on this web site. To order a MicroCare product with European packaging, see the Product Spec sheet for that particular product or contact MicroCare directly. If you don't see what you need, give us a call!

Is Freeze Spray Safe to Use on all Electronic Components?

Freeze spray is generally safe for most electronic components, particularly MicroCare’s freeze sprays, which are nonflammable and plastic-safe. However, some sensitive or brittle components should be handled with care, as extreme cooling may affect their integrity. Freeze spray is suitable for both new and old equipment, making it versatile for various electronics testing and repair applications across different devices.

Are MicroCare freeze sprays environmentally friendly?

MicroCare freeze sprays, also known as circuit chillers , meet environmental compliance standards, including RoHS, WEEE, REACH, and EPA SNAP. The HFO-blend freeze spray is also ozone-safe and has an ultra-low Global Warming Potential, making it an environmentally responsible option. MicroCare freeze sprays use HFC and HFO propellants, which prevent the component-shattering thermal shock that can occur with HCFC-based products. This offers a gentler, safer cooling solution for modern electronics while being environmentally compliant.

General Purpose Circuit Chiller and Anti-Static Circuit Chiller II - Europe

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Product Information

These circuit chiller freeze sprays quickly locates intermittent faults in circuit boards

Applications:

Use for instant chilling for low temperature circuit test and repair
Locate intermittent flaws in electronics
Use as a heat sink for sensitive components during hand soldering
Use the anit-staic version to safely cool static sensitive components
Works on old and new equipment

Features:

Produced, labeled and packaged for compliance with all UK and EU safety rules
No residue / no rinsing
Leaves ice on the PCB momentarily to freeze-it
Dries instantly
Chills to lower than -45˚F/-43ºC in seconds; may go as low as -60˚F/-51˚C depending upon ambient conditions
Safe on plastics
Chemical Family: HFO blend
Nonflammable for better safety
RoHS/WEEE/REACH/F-GAS/EPA SNAP compliant

This ultra-pure circuit chiller freeze sprays use an HFO propellant. So,they will not generate the component-shattering thermal shock that can occur with old-style HCFC-based chillers.They are also ozone safe and have an ultra-low GWP (Global Warming Potential), making it environmentally responsible.

Product Details

Product Image	Part Number	Package	Weight	Size	Technical Data Sheet	Safety Data Sheet
	FRZ107 MCC-FRZ107	General Purpose Circuit Chiller	0.28 kg 0.61 lb.	300 ml 10 oz.	TDS UK (ENGLISH) (opens in a new tab)	SDS Lookup (opens in a new tab)
	FRZ2A MCC-FRZ2A	Anti-Static Circuit Chiller II	272 g	295 ml	TDS UK (ENGLISH) (opens in a new tab)	SDS Lookup (opens in a new tab)

Part Number	MCC-FRZ107	MCC-FRZ2A
Package	General Purpose Circuit Chiller	Anti-Static Circuit Chiller II
Weight	0.28 kg 0.61 lb.	272 g
Size	300 ml 10 oz.	295 ml
Technical Data Sheet	TDS	TDS
Safety Data Sheet	SDS	SDS

Appearance	Clear, colorless gas
Odor	Slight Etheral
PEL (ppm, 8-hr TWA)	800
Boiling Point	-19ºC / -2˚F
Chemical Family	Tetrafluoropropene HFO
F-Gas Compliant
Evaporation Rate	Instant
Cleaning Strength (Kb)	Not applicable
Active Ingredients	HFO Propellants
Flashpoint	None
Global Warming Rating (100yr)	<1
VOC Organic Content (g/L)	Zero
Ozone Impact	Zero
RoHS & WEEE Compliant
Safety Rating	Non-flammable
Specific Gravity	1.29
Surface Tension	Not available
Vapor Density	5.71
Viscosity	Not available
Vapor Pressure @ 20ºC	62

Product Information

Applications:

Features:

Product Details

Safety Data Sheet

AEROSOL

Technical Data Sheet

Electronics