As a manufacturer, it can be overwhelming to learn that your trusted 3M Novec™ vapor degreasing chemicals are being discontinued. This news can leave you wondering what to do next. There are many questions to ask and answer before deciding on a replacement. Here are the top three.
1. What am I cleaning?
When choosing a 3M Novec™ replacement cleaning fluid, be sure to understand what you are cleaning - both the part substrate and the contamination that needs removing. This will help you choose a cleaning fluid strong enough to get the job done, but not so harsh that it will damage parts in the cleaning process. Choose a cleaning fluid that's compatible with both the contamination and your parts substrate.
This also applies to the cleaning equipment you plan to use. Be sure the cleaning fluid will work inside your current vapor degreaser, or if the new fluid will require upgrades or degreaser modifications.
A word of caution, be sure to do your due-diligence now. Research, choose and test the replacement cleaning fluid to ensure it's a good match. 3M plans to halt production of the Novec™ fluids by the end of 2025, so start your planning today. There's nothing worse than choosing a fluid only to discover at the last minute that it won't clean, or worse, damage parts or equipment.
2. Is the cleaning fluid a flash-in-the-pan?
Here today, gone tomorrow is not the motto you want when it comes to vapor degreasing fluids. Some suppliers might provide a quick, newly formulated replacement, only to discontinue the fluid after some initial sales, making it difficult to find more when it's needed.
Be sure to choose a replacement fluid that is well-established and has a long, proven history of performance. MicroCare offers a number of excellent vapor degreasing fluids that have been lab-tested and field-proven for performance. This includes the Tergo™ line of vapor degreasing fluids. For example, Tergo™ MCF (Metal Cleaning Fluid) has over seven years of proven cleaning performance and is NASA approved.
3. Will I get support after I buy my replacement fluid?
Unlike some replacement fluid suppliers, the experts at MicroCare understand the subtle, yet sometimes complex nuances between cleaning solvents and vapor degreasers. The MicroCare Critical Cleaning Lab can provide cleaning trials on your substrates and soils to ensure good cleaning outcomes while our field engineers can provide guidance, training and help with after-the-sale troubleshooting should any issues may arise.
Replacing your discontinued vapor degreasing fluids doesn't have to be an overwhelming experience. By understanding your equipment requirements, the substrate, and contamination and partnering with MicroCare, we can help you select, replace and test your replacement cleaning fluids so that you get optimal cleaning results with as little disruption to your parts cleaning processes as possible.