TCE, nPB, PERC, methylene chloride, CFCs, HCFCs and even some HFEs: The cleaning chemistries manufacturers have relied on for years are facing a changing regulatory and environmental landscape. What comes next?
For industrial parts manufacturers, cleaning is more than a finishing step. It's essential to product quality, performance, reliability and production efficiency. Whether removing oils, greases, machining fluids, polishing compounds or other manufacturing residues, the right cleaning chemistry helps ensure parts meet demanding specifications.
But the solvents that have traditionally done the job are changing.
Regulatory developments, environmental considerations, workplace safety requirements and evolving customer expectations are prompting manufacturers to take a closer look at the chemistries they use. Trichloroethylene (TCE), n-propyl bromide (nPB), perchloroethylene (PERC), methylene chloride, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) are all part of a broader conversation about the future of industrial cleaning.
The challenge? Finding a replacement that cleans just as effectively without creating new problems for the manufacturing process.
Why Manufacturers Are Rethinking Their Cleaning Chemistry
There isn't one reason manufacturers are exploring alternatives. Several factors are driving the shift:
The Right Replacement Is About More Than Finding a New Solvent
A cleaning fluid that looks like a suitable substitute on paper may perform very differently on the production floor.
The right replacement must work with the parts being cleaned, the soils being removed and the equipment already in place. It also needs to meet production requirements for cleaning performance, drying time, materials compatibility and process efficiency.
Before selecting an alternative, manufacturers should consider:
Cleaning performance
What needs to be removed? Machining oils, greases, fluxes, particulates and other contaminants all present different cleaning challenges. The replacement must effectively remove the specific soils found in the manufacturing process.
Materials compatibility
Will the new chemistry affect metals, plastics, elastomers, coatings, adhesives or other materials used in the parts? Compatibility testing is particularly important when cleaning complex assemblies or parts made from multiple materials.
Equipment compatibility
Can the alternative work in existing vapor degreasers, immersion systems, ultrasonic cleaners or other cleaning equipment? Understanding equipment requirements can help minimize capital investment and process disruption.
Drying and production requirements
Does the replacement dry quickly enough? Will it leave residues? Can it keep pace with existing production volumes and cycle times?
Environmental and regulatory considerations
Look beyond a single environmental attribute. Evaluate GWP, ODP, PFAS content and applicable regulatory requirements for the specific chemistry and application. A low-GWP product is not automatically PFAS-free, and a PFAS-free product does not automatically meet every other environmental or regulatory objective.
Meet the Next Generation of Cleaning Chemistry
Manufacturers don't have to navigate the changing solvent landscape alone. MicroCare offers advanced cleaning fluid technologies designed to help industrial manufacturers address today's cleaning challenges and explore alternatives to legacy solvents.
Depending on the application, available technologies may offer options with:
That's where technical expertise makes a difference.
Don't Guess. Ask an Expert.
Changing cleaning chemistry doesn't have to mean starting over.
Our MicroCare technical team works with manufacturers to evaluate cleaning challenges, identify potential replacement chemistries and determine which options are worth testing. Through application testing, materials compatibility evaluations and cleaning process support, manufacturers can make more informed decisions before implementing a change.
Whether you're replacing TCE, nPB, PERC, methylene chloride, CFCs, HCFCs or evaluating alternatives to certain HFEs, the first step is understanding what your current cleaning process needs to accomplish.
Not sure what's right for your application? Ask a MicroCare Expert.
Let's talk about your current solvent, the parts you're cleaning, the contaminants you're removing and the equipment you're using. We'll help you explore advanced cleaning alternatives that align with your technical, production and environmental requirements.
Out with the old. In with a smarter cleaning solution.
For industrial parts manufacturers, cleaning is more than a finishing step. It's essential to product quality, performance, reliability and production efficiency. Whether removing oils, greases, machining fluids, polishing compounds or other manufacturing residues, the right cleaning chemistry helps ensure parts meet demanding specifications.
But the solvents that have traditionally done the job are changing.
Regulatory developments, environmental considerations, workplace safety requirements and evolving customer expectations are prompting manufacturers to take a closer look at the chemistries they use. Trichloroethylene (TCE), n-propyl bromide (nPB), perchloroethylene (PERC), methylene chloride, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and certain hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) are all part of a broader conversation about the future of industrial cleaning.
The challenge? Finding a replacement that cleans just as effectively without creating new problems for the manufacturing process.
Why Manufacturers Are Rethinking Their Cleaning Chemistry
There isn't one reason manufacturers are exploring alternatives. Several factors are driving the shift:
- Changing regulations: Restrictions, phaseouts and evolving requirements are affecting the availability and use of certain solvents.
- Environmental considerations: Manufacturers are looking more closely at global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP) and other environmental attributes.
- PFAS considerations: Evolving PFAS regulations and customer requirements are prompting companies to evaluate the chemistry of their cleaning fluids and coatings.
- Workplace considerations: Companies are assessing solvent exposure, handling requirements and overall workplace safety.
- Supply chain concerns: Changes in solvent availability, sourcing and cost can affect production planning and long-term process stability.
The Right Replacement Is About More Than Finding a New Solvent
A cleaning fluid that looks like a suitable substitute on paper may perform very differently on the production floor.
The right replacement must work with the parts being cleaned, the soils being removed and the equipment already in place. It also needs to meet production requirements for cleaning performance, drying time, materials compatibility and process efficiency.
Before selecting an alternative, manufacturers should consider:
Cleaning performance
What needs to be removed? Machining oils, greases, fluxes, particulates and other contaminants all present different cleaning challenges. The replacement must effectively remove the specific soils found in the manufacturing process.
Materials compatibility
Will the new chemistry affect metals, plastics, elastomers, coatings, adhesives or other materials used in the parts? Compatibility testing is particularly important when cleaning complex assemblies or parts made from multiple materials.
Equipment compatibility
Can the alternative work in existing vapor degreasers, immersion systems, ultrasonic cleaners or other cleaning equipment? Understanding equipment requirements can help minimize capital investment and process disruption.
Drying and production requirements
Does the replacement dry quickly enough? Will it leave residues? Can it keep pace with existing production volumes and cycle times?
Environmental and regulatory considerations
Look beyond a single environmental attribute. Evaluate GWP, ODP, PFAS content and applicable regulatory requirements for the specific chemistry and application. A low-GWP product is not automatically PFAS-free, and a PFAS-free product does not automatically meet every other environmental or regulatory objective.
Meet the Next Generation of Cleaning Chemistry
Manufacturers don't have to navigate the changing solvent landscape alone. MicroCare offers advanced cleaning fluid technologies designed to help industrial manufacturers address today's cleaning challenges and explore alternatives to legacy solvents.
Depending on the application, available technologies may offer options with:
- Low global warming potential (GWP): Alternatives designed to reduce the climate impact associated with certain traditional cleaning solvents.
- PFAS-free formulations: Selected products formulated without intentionally added PFAS, subject to product-specific confirmation and definitions.
- Effective precision cleaning: Formulations designed to remove challenging manufacturing soils and contaminants.
- Materials compatibility: Options for cleaning a range of metals, plastics and other manufacturing materials.
- Equipment compatibility: Alternatives that may work with existing cleaning processes and equipment, helping manufacturers avoid unnecessary process changes.
That's where technical expertise makes a difference.
Don't Guess. Ask an Expert.
Changing cleaning chemistry doesn't have to mean starting over.
Our MicroCare technical team works with manufacturers to evaluate cleaning challenges, identify potential replacement chemistries and determine which options are worth testing. Through application testing, materials compatibility evaluations and cleaning process support, manufacturers can make more informed decisions before implementing a change.
Whether you're replacing TCE, nPB, PERC, methylene chloride, CFCs, HCFCs or evaluating alternatives to certain HFEs, the first step is understanding what your current cleaning process needs to accomplish.
Not sure what's right for your application? Ask a MicroCare Expert.
Let's talk about your current solvent, the parts you're cleaning, the contaminants you're removing and the equipment you're using. We'll help you explore advanced cleaning alternatives that align with your technical, production and environmental requirements.
Out with the old. In with a smarter cleaning solution.