AK‐255 as a Drop‐in Replacement for CFC‐113 and HCFC‐141B

Abstract

CFCs and HCFCs have been used extensively in bulk cleaning of computer boards and are included in well established branch of chemistry. Due to the removal of one such CFC (CFC‐113) and the recent discontinuation of HCFC‐141b by the year 1996, there has been a push for the generation of new replacement solvents for these products. One of the new additions includes one product with an isomeric blend of two ingredients in the base formula. This isomeric mixture consists of 1,3‐dichloro‐1,1,2,2,3‐pentafluoropropane and 3,3‐dichloro‐1,1,1,2,2‐pentafluoropropane. Both isomers are under the trade name AK‐225. Recently, Tech Spray, Inc., were chosen as an authorised distributor for AK‐225. Current research has proven that AK‐225 can be used as an adequate replacement for the above solvents. Originally designed as a drop‐in replacement for CFC‐113, AK‐225 has also been proven effective as a replacement for HCFC‐141b in many tests performed. Alcohol blends with these solvents have been previously proven to have the ability to increase cleaning efficiency of the base solvent. One disadvantage of this is that, when large amounts of alcohols are added, the product becomes flammable. Tech Spray, Inc., have been able to prove that a wide range of azeotropes can be formed with even larger amounts of alcohols than were used previously in current CFC and HCFC blends and still remain non‐flammable. With existing properties, the AK‐225 azeotropes demonstrate broad defluxing abilities, and are also able to replace a wide range of solvents. AK‐225 can be used as a drop‐in replacement in current systems practising vapour degreasing, bulk in‐line use, and ultrasonic cleaning. As can be concluded from the test data, where used as a replacement for such solvents as mentioned above, AK‐225 and its blends can prove effective for drop‐in replacement. A major concern in the electronics industry today, due to the phase‐out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)‐113, and the recent discussion of the phase‐out of 1,1‐dichloro‐1‐fluoroethane (HCFC‐141b), is to find a new replacement exhibiting similar properties. The product must not only match but should also excel in solvent properties to reach the demands placed upon it by the electronics cleaning and manufacturing industry.

Citation

Cumbest, J.H. and Unruh, G.R. (1997), "AK‐255 as a Drop‐in Replacement for CFC‐113 and HCFC‐141B", Circuit World, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/03056129710800044