Vertrel™ XFSpecialty Fluid

Technical Information

Flush Cleaning

Introduction

matter (submicron range) from metal and nonmetal parts.

Vertrel™ XF is a proprietary hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) fluid

can minimize the thickness of the laminar boundary layer

ideally suited for use in vapor degreasing equipment forcleaning, rinsing, and drying. It can replace current
hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC)
fluids in most applications.
Vertrel™ XF is HFC 43-10mee or 2,3-dihydrodecafluoropentane; empirical formula C5H2F10. It is a clear,colorless liquid with the properties shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Unique physical properties include a high density, lowviscosity, and low surface tension. This combined withnonflammability, chemical and thermal stability, low toxicity,and ease of recovery by distillation make Vertrel™ XF ideal
for a broad range of applications. Solvency is selective, but
can be enhanced by use of appropriate azeotropes and blendswith alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, etc. (see Table 3).

Typical Applications

Vertrel™ XF is ideally suited for cleaning fine particulate
Removal of particle contamination requires a solvent that
where particles are bonded to the substrate. If theboundary layer thickness is less than the particle diameter,
momentum from the flowing solvent can efficiently
dislodge the particles and carry them away. Vertrel™ XF,
with its lower viscosity and higher density, results in athinner boundary layer that enhances cleaning. Common
aqueous cleaning fluids, mixtures of water and detergent,
have higher viscosities and lower densities compared toVertrel™ XF, making these fluids less efficient.
The electronic attraction between particle and surface canbe overcome further by increasing the polarity of the fluid
through the addition of small amounts of alcohols. Chemours
offers a series of proprietary azeotrope and blend
compositions that exploit this property (see Table 3).
Table 1. Physical Properties
Propertya• Cleaning and rinsing agent

Molecular Weight

Vertrel™ XF
252• Drying fluid

Boiling Point, °C (°F)

• Particulate remover

Surface Tension, N/m (dyn/cm)

0.0141 (14.1)

55 (130)

Liquid Density, kg/L (lb/gal)

1.58 (13.2)• Fluorocarbon lubricant carrierFreezing Point, °C (°F)

-80 (-112)• Solvent and dispersion media

Solubility in Water, ppm

140

Solubility of Water, ppm490• Heat transfer media

Critical Temperature, °C (°F)

• Dielectric fluid

Critical Pressure, kPa (atm) (psia)

2,288 (22.6) (331.9)

Critical Volume, L/mol (cc/mol)

0.433 (433)

Heat of Vaporization (at boiling point), cal/g (kJ/kg)

31.0 (129.7)• Replacement for many HCFC, PFC, and CFC-113
applications

Specific Heat at 20°C, kJ/kg·°C

1.13

Vapor Pressure, kPa (atm) (psia)

30.1 (0.297) (4.37)

Viscosity, cP
At 25°C (77°F), except where indicated.
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D93)
cTag Open Cup Tester (ASTM D1310)
ab181 (357)0.67Vertrel™ XFSpecialty Fluid

Another common cleaning technique is the addition ofTable 3. Azeotropes of Vertrel™ XF

ultrasonics to the solvent. High frequency, ultrasonic waves

ProductVertrel™ XF With

Boiling Point, °C (°F)

produce tiny bubbles that form and collapse (cavitate) as theVertrel™ XM

Methanol46 (115)

wave passes. Cavitation energy increases with decreasing

Vertrel™ XE

Ethanol

52 (126)

viscosity, another advantage of Vertrel™ XF, improving its

Vertrel™ XP

Isopropanol

52 (126)

Vertrel™ MCA

Trans-1,2Dichloroethylene

39 (102)

Vertrel™ SMT

Trans-1,2Dichloroethylene andMethanol

37 (99)ability to mechanically dislodge particle contamination.

Vapor Degreasing Process
Use of modern vapor containment technology isrecommended for both batch and in-line equipment. Thesesystems have higher freeboard and a secondary set oflow-temperature (–29°C [–20°F]) condenser coils to greatly
reduce vapor losses from boiling solvent degreasing,defluxing, rinsing, and drying equipment.

Solvency
Unlike PFCs, Vertrel™ XF is completely miscible with mostesters, ketones, ethers, ether-alcohols, and the loweralcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. The

Neat Vertrel™ XF can be used for rinsing, drying, and somecleaning applications, but use with other components, suchas azeotropes or simple blends, can provide improved
solvency and soil removal. Vertrel™ XF forms azeotropes orconstant boiling mixtures with many similar boiling range
components. Five nonflammable proprietary azeotrope
compositions have been developed that are useful for
general, as well as precision, cleaning and defluxing. See
specific product bulletins for details.

lower hydrocarbons, such as hexane and heptane, are alsosoluble. Neat Vertrel™ XF has limited solvency for manyhigher molecular weight materials, such as hydrocarbonoils, silicone oils, waxes, and greases; here combinations
with the many readily miscible esters, alcohols, and lower
hydrocarbons can enhance solubility and cleaning
efficiency. Like CFC-113 and PFCs, Vertrel™ XF has highsolubility for Krytox™ and “Fomblin” fluorocarbon lubricantsand can be used either as an application carrier fluid or toclean the lubricants.

Table 2. Density and Vapor Pressure Change with Temperature

Plastic and Elastomer Compatibility

Temperature, °C (°F)

Density, kg/L

Vapor Pressure, atm-20 (–4)

1.70

0.021

-10 (14)

1.68

0.047

0 (32)

1.66

0.082

10 (50)

1.62

0.143

20 (68)

1.60

0.232

30 (86)

1.57

0.374

40 (104)

1.55

0.571

50 (122)

1.51

0.843

60 (140)

1.49

1.212

Elastomer swelling and shrinking will, in most cases, revert

70 (158)

1.46

1.695

to within a few percent of original size after air drying. Swell,

80 (176)

1.43

2.306

shrinkage, and extractables are strongly affected by the90 (194)

1.40

3.083

compounding agents, plasticizers, and curing used in the100 (212)

1.38

4.042

manufacture of plastics and elastomers. Therefore, prior

110 (230)

1.34

5.211

in-use testing is particularly important.

120 (248)

1.32

6.621

130 (266)

1.30

8.301

A large variety of plastics and elastomers can be safely
exposed to Vertrel™ XF. Tables 4 and 5 summarize test
results on short-term exposures of unstressed plastics andelastomers, which simulate a typical cleaning cycle.
Long-term compatibility data simulating exposure of vapor
degreaser construction materials is available from Chemours
upon request.

Vertrel™ XFSpecialty Fluid

Table 4. Plastic Compatibility Immersion: 15 Minutes atExposure Limits

Room Temperature
Compatible

Data from acute toxicity studies has demonstrated thatVertrel™ XF has low toxicity. Vertrel™ XF is a slight skin andPolyethylene

ABS

Polypropylene

AcetalPolystyrene

Epoxy

Polyester, PET, PBTIonomerTable 6. Exposure Limits

Polyphenylene Oxide, PPO

Liquid Crystal Polymer

Component

Limit, ppm

TypePolyimide, PI, PEI, PAI

Phenolic

Polyetherketone, PEK

PVC, CPVC

Vertrel™ XF AELa

200
400b

8- and 12-hr TWAa
Ceilingb

Polyaryletherketone, PEEK

PTFE, ETFE

eye irritant and has low acute inhalation toxicity. Table 6shows the applicable exposure limits for Vertrel™ XF.

aPolyarylsulfone

aAcceptable Exposure Limit (AEL) is an airborne inhalation exposure limit established by
Chemours that specifies time-weighted average concentrations to which nearly all
workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effects.

Polyphenylene Sulfide, PPSb

Polysulfone

Incompatible*
Acrylic

Cellulosic

Table 5. Elastomer Compatibility Immersion: 15 Minutes at
Room Temperature
Compatible
Buna-N, NBR, Nitrile

Buna-S, SBR, GRS

Butyl Rubber, IIR

Chlorosulfonated PE

EPM, EPDM, Nordel®

Polysulfide

Natural Rubber, Isoprene

Neoprene

Urethane

Silicone
Incompatible*

Viton™

A ceiling limit is the concentration that should not be exceeded during any part of theworking day. The ceiling limit for individual components applies to a blend product as well.

Safety/Flammability
Vertrel™ XF is nonflammable and does not become
flammable during boiling or evaporation. It exhibits no closed
or open cup flash point and is not classified as a flammableliquid by NFPA or DOT. It is thermally stable to 300 °C(572 °F) and does not oxidize or degrade during storage.

Recovery
Vertrel™ XF is a pure component material and is easily
recoverable by off-line and in-line distillation equipment,such as a vapor degreaser or still. The presence of soil,*Material composition varies depending upon compounding agents, plasticizers,processing, etc. Specific materials should be tested for compatibility with solvent.

Metals and Other Compatibility
Vertrel™ XF is fully compatible with the metals listed below
after exposure for two weeks at 100°C (212°F) in sealed

however, may alter the characteristics of the material
during the recovery operation. Recovery should be closely
monitored to ensure operating levels are maintained. Users
should test the spent Vertrel™ XF to ensure properclassification for waste disposal.

tubes with and without water contact.

Storage/Handling• Zinc*• Aluminum

Vertrel™ XF is thermally stable and does not oxidize• Stainless Steel• Copper*• Brass*or degrade during storage. Store in a clean, dry area.
Protect from freezing temperatures. Do not allow stored
product to exceed 52 °C (125 °F) to prevent leakage or*Slight discoloration with water present

potential rupture of container from pressure and expansion.

Vertrel™ XF is not compatible with strong bases; therefore,

Consideration should be given to retrofit of existing or

contact with highly basic process materials is notrecommended.

purchase of new, vapor degreasing equipment to provide
vapor containment technology that enables safe andeconomical use of Vertrel™ XF.
Drum pumps are recommended to dispense Vertrel™ XFfrom its container. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
specific handling precautions and instructions.

Vertrel™ XFSpecialty Fluid

Environmental Legislation

Specifications

Vertrel™ XF has zero ozone depletion potential and a low

Composition and specifications are shown in Table 8.

global warming potential (Table 7). Vertrel™ XF and its
azeotropes and blends are used as alternatives to CFC-Table 7. Environmental Properties

113, methylchloroform, HCFCs, and PFCs in many criticalProperty

Vertrel™ XF

cleaning, drying, carrier fluid, and other high-value specialty

FormulaC5H2F10

uses where reliability is paramount.

ClassHydrofluorocarbon (HFC)

Vertrel™ XF is accepted by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) under the Significant New
Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program as a substitute forozone-depleting substances. HFC 43-10mee ordecafluoropentane is exempt from classification asa volatile organic compound (VOC) by the EPA. Vertrel™ XF
is also VOC compliant under the California South Coast Air
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations that
require VOC content less than 50 g/L of solvent.
Vertrel™ XF is listed in the TSCA inventory. It is subject to the
Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) and should be used only in
the indicated applications. See SDS Regulatory Section.

Atmospheric Lifetime, yr

17.1

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

0

Global Warming* Potential (GWP/100 yr ITH)

1650

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, g/L)

Exempt*IPCC AR5 Fifth Assessment Report

Table 8. Vertrel™ XF Specifications
Property

Vertrel™ XF

Fluoropentanes, wt%

99.9 min.

Nonvolatile Residue, ppm wt

2.0 max.

Moisture, ppm wt

50 max.

Acidity, mg KOH/g
Appearance

0.01 max.
Clear, Colorless

Vertrel™ XF is not a hazardous air pollutant (HAP),
and, therefore, not subject to NESHAP regulation. Spent
Vertrel™ XF is not an RCRA characteristic or listed waste.
However, addition of contaminants could change thatstatus. Vertrel™ XF is not included in the SARA Title III
Section 313 list of toxic chemicals and is not subject toSARA Title III (EPCRA) reporting requirements.

Packaging and Availability
Vertrel™ XF is commercially available in 55-gal (208-L)
drums with a net weight of 660 lb (299 kg) and in 5-gal(20-L) pails with a net weight of 60 lb (27 kg). One-gallon
and smaller samples in glass containers are available on
request. Customers are encouraged to secure samples
now for compatibility and performance testing.

For more information on Vertrel™, please visit vertrel.com or call (800) 235-7882.
The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, attheir own risk. Because conditions of use are outside our control, Chemours makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of thisinformation. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under, or a recommendation to infringe, any patents or patent applications.
© 2017 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Vertrel™, Krytox™, Viton™, and any associated logos are trademarks or coyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and theChemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.
Replaces: K-04159-2
C-10968 (11/17)