Precision Cleaning for Aerospace, Aviation & Military

High-efficiency cleaning solvents – in nonflammable, fast-drying formulations

Cleaning is an essential process in aircraft production, maintenance and repair to ensure safe operation. To be effective, precision and electronics cleaning agents must remove a wide range of contaminants, yet be compatible with a commonly-used metals, plastics and elastomers.

Many aerospace cleaning operations cannot tolerate water-based systems, or are sensitive to residues left by the low volatility of compliant cleaning solvents. Often the platforms are simply handled more effectively with fast evaporating solvents, such as 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids.

Novec Fluids are a family of nonflammable, non ozone-depleting, low global warming compounds used in a wide range of vapor degreasing, immersion, tube flushing, hand-wipe and spray cleaning applications. These versatile, sustainable materials are effective on a wide range of soils, and offer excellent compatibility with most metals, plastics and elastomers.

• Broad portfolio of cleaning solutions
• Effective on a wide range of soils
• Excellent materials compatibility
• Excellent for removing particulate contamination
• Outstanding penetration of tight clearances in complex parts
• Fast drying
• Not Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), low in toxicity*
• Nonflammable throughout the cleaning and drying process*

* See Material Safety Data Sheets for precautions and handling recommendations.

Compatible with most typical materials of construction

Novec fluids are compatible with a wide range of substrates found on an aircraft – making them suitable for use both as general purpose cleaning solvents and in specialized applications, such as oxygen system cleaning, hydraulic system cleaning and avionics cleaning. They are also effective for cleaning Skydrol® and other hydraulic fluids. Independent laboratory compatibility test results of Novec 7100, 7200, 71DE and 72DE engineered fluids are listed in the following table.

Contact 3M for more specific information on which Novec solvent best fits your applilcation.

Sustainable solvent alternatives for precision and electronics cleaning

Novec fluids have been approved for use as replacements for ozone depleting substances by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 3M™ Novec™ 7100 and 7200 Engineered Fluids, and components of their azeotropes, are listed by the EPA as "acceptable without restrictions" for use in precision cleaning, electronics cleaning, metal cleaning and aerosol solvent applications. In addition, Novec 7100 fluid and Novec 7200 fluid have been excluded by the U.S. EPA from the definition of a VOC.

Typical Novec Fluid Cleaning Applications

The following overview shows some of the ways various Novec products are typically used. Bear in mind, however, that every cleaning application is unique. For assistance in determining the optimal Novec fluid for your application, please contact a 3M precision cleaning specialist.

3M Novec Engineered Fluids for Light-Duty Solvent Cleaning

Novec fluids can be used in their "neat" or pure form to remove light hydrocarbon and silicone oils, and hydraulic fluid such as Skydrol®. They effectively remove particulate from components and final assemblies. Their ability to penetrate tight spaces on complex parts allows for thorough cleaning of precision components.

3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7200 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71IPA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 72FL Engineered Fluid

3M Novec Engineered Fluids for Medium to Heavy-Duty Co-Solvent/Bi-Solvent Cleaning

For medium to heavy-duty cleaning of lubricants, low MP waxes, silicone, polishing and buffing compounds, fluxes and other soils, Novec fluids are available in several azeotropic blends with one or more organic solvents.

3M™ Novec™ 71DA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71DE Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 72DA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 72DE Engineered Fluid

3M Novec Engineered Fluids for Heavy Co-Solvent and Bi-Solvent Cleaning

For the most challenging soils, a co-solvent process that uses a low volatility organic solvent to dissolve soils from part surfaces, and Novec 7100, 7200 or 71IPA fluid as a rinse agent, has proven to be an effective and flexible solution. Co-solvent cleaning with Novec fluids enables effective cleaning of heavy-weight oils, greases and waxes while maintaining a more favorable environmental profile.

3M™ Novec™ 7100 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7200 Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 71IPA Engineered Fluid
3M™ Novec™ 7300 Engineered Fluid

Military Specifications