Vertrel™ XESpecialty Fluid

Removes Particulate and Ionic Soils

Technical Information
Introduction

Plastic and Elastomer Compatibility

Vertrel™ XE is a proprietary azeotrope of Vertrel™ XF

Most plastics and elastomers can be safely cleaned inhydrofluorocarbon (2,3-dihydrodecafluoropentane) with

Vertrel™ XE. Tables 3 and 4 summarize test results onethanol. It is ideally suited for use in vapor degreasing

short-term exposures of unstressed plastics andequipment. It offers improved solvency for polar soils,elastomers, simulating a typical cleaning cycle.

compared to Vertrel™ XF, while maintaining excellent
compatibility with most plastic, ceramic, and metal

Long-term exposure data simulating exposure of vapor

components. Typical applications include precision anddegreaser construction materials is available from Chemours

specialty cleaning and rinsing for removal of particulate,upon request.

fingerprints, and light soils from metal, plastic, and glass parts.

Table 1. Physical Properties

Vertrel™ XE has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) andPropertya

Vertrel™ XE

low global warming potential (GWP). It can replace CFC-

Molecular Weight

214

113, 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), hydrochloro-

Boiling Point, °C (°F)

52 (126)

fluorocarbons (HCFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) in

Liquid Density, kg/L

1.52

many applications. Vertrel™ XE is accepted by the U.S.

Vapor Pressure, atm

0.329

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under theSurface Tension, N/m

0.0141Freezing Point, °C (°F)<–80 (<–112)

Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), as a
substitute for ozone-depleting substances.
Its unique properties (Tables 1 and 2) include a high density,
low viscosity, and low surface tension for effective particle
and soil removal.

Cleaning Process
Vapor degreasing should be used for optimum cleaning
effectiveness and economy. Modern vapor containment
technology is recommended for both batch and in-line
equipment. These systems have higher freeboard and asecondary set of low temperature (–29 °C [–20 °F])
condenser coils to greatly reduce vapor losses.

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

144.8

Heat Capacity, kJ/kg·°C

1.13

Viscosity, cP

0.73

Flash PointClosed Cupb
Open Cupc

None
None

Vapor Flammability in Air, vol%Lower Limit
Upper Limit

None
None

At 25 °C (77 °F), except where indicated.
Setaflash Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D3278)
cTag Open Cup Tester (ASTM D1310)
abVertrel™ XESpecialty Fluid

Table 2. Density and Vapor Pressure Change with Temperature

Elastomer swelling and shrinking will, in most cases, revert
to within a few percent of original size after air drying. Swell,Temperature, °C (°F)

Density, kg/L

Vapor Pressure, atm0 (32)1.580.076shrinkage, and extractables are strongly affected by the10 (50)

1.56

0.146

compounding agents, plasticizers, and curing used in the20 (68)

1.53

0.255

manufacture of plastics and elastomers. Therefore, prior

25 (77)

1.52

0.329

30 (86)

1.50

0.416

40 (104)

1.48

0.638

50 (122)

1.45

0.932

60 (140)

1.42

1.306

Table 3. Plastic Compatibility Immersion: 15 Min at
Room Temperature
Compatible

in-use testing is particularly important.

Metals and Other Compatibility
Vertrel™ XE was found compatible with zinc, stainless steel,aluminum, copper, and brass after exposure for two weeks
at 100 °C (212 °F) in sealed tubes.
Large amounts of water may extract alcohol and affectcleaning performance. Therefore, to reduce alcohol loss,use desiccant dryers rather than water separators in thePolyethylene

ABS

Polypropylene

AcetalPolystyrene

Acrylic

Contact with highly basic process materials, pH 10 or

Polyester, PET, PBT

Epoxy

above, is not recommended.

Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO)

Ionomer

Polyimide, PI, PEI, PAI

Liquid Crystal Polymer

Exposure Limits

Polyetherketone (PEK)Phenolic

Data from acute toxicity studies has demonstrated that

Polyaryletherketone (PEEK)

PVC, CPVC

Vertrel™ XE has low toxicity. Vertrel™ XE is a slight skin andPolysulfone

PTFE, ETFE

eye irritant and has low acute inhalation toxicity. Table 5

Polyarylsulfone

Cellulosic

shows the applicable exposure limits for the component

condensate return line.

materials of Vertrel™ XE.

Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
Incompatible*None Tested

Table 5. Exposure Limits*Material composition varies depending upon compounding agents, plasticizers,processing, etc. Specific materials should be tested for compatibility with solvent.

Table 4. Elastomer Compatibility Immersion: 15 Min 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

Viton™ B
Silicone
Incompatible*

None Tested*Material composition varies depending upon compounding agents, plasticizers,processing, etc. Specific materials should be tested for compatibility with solvent.

Component

Limitppm

Type

Vertrel™ XF

AELa

200

8- and 12-hr TWA
Ceilingb

Ethanol

AEL
TLVc

1,000
1,0008- and 12-hr TWA
8-hr TWA

Vertrel™ XE

AELb235

Calculatedd

Acceptable Exposure Limit (AEL) is an airborne inhalation exposure limit established byChemours that specifies time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations to which nearly allworkers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effects.
aA 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.
bThreshold Limit Value (TLV) is an airborne inhalation exposure limit established by theAmerican Conference of Government and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) that specifies TWA
concentrations to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverseeffects.
cCalculated in accordance with ACGIH formula for TLVs for mixtures.

dVertrel™ XESpecialty Fluid

Safety/Flammability

Environmental Properties

Vertrel™ XE exhibits no closed cup or open cup flash point,

Vertrel™ specialty fluids have zero ODP and low GWP

and is not classified as a flammable liquid by The National(Table 6). They are used as alternatives to CFC-113,

Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or Department ofmethylchloroform, HCFCs, and PFCs in many critical

Transportation (DOT). In addition, the product has no vaporcleaning, drying, carrier fluid, and other high-value specialty

flammability limits in air.

uses where reliability is paramount.

Flash point data and limits of flammability in air provide theVertrel™ XE is accepted by the U.S. EPA under the SNAP

user with additional information that should be used asprogram, as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances.

elements of a fire risk assessment and to determine
guidelines for the safe handling of volatile chemicals.

Table 6. Environmental Properties

Users should ensure compliance with NFPA standards andProperty

local fire codes.

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

RecoveryDue to the azeotropic nature of Vertrel™ XE, the productis easily recoverable by off-line or in-line distillation

Vertrel™ XF
0Global Warming Potential (GWP/100 yr ITH)*

1248

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, g/L)

61

* IPCC Second Assessment Report (1995)

equipment, such as a vapor degreaser or still. The presence

Packaging and Availabilityof soil, however, may alter the characteristics of theVertrel™ XE is commercially available in 55-gal (208-L)

material during the recovery operation. Recovery should
be closely monitored to ensure operating levels aremaintained. Users should test the spent Vertrel™ XE toensure proper classification for waste disposal.

Storage/Handlingdrums with a net weight of 600 lb (272 kg) and in 5-gal(19-L) pails with a net weight of 55 lb (25 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.

Vertrel™ XE is thermally stable and does not oxidize orSpecifications

degrade during storage. Store in a clean, dry area. Protect

Composition and specifications are shown in Table 7. Allfrom freezing temperatures. If solvent is stored below –10 °C(14 °F), mix prior to use. Do not allow stored product tocomponents are listed in the TSCA Inventory.

exceed 52 °C (125 °F) to prevent leakage or potential

Table 8. Vertrel™ XE Specifications

rupture of container from pressure and expansion.

Vertrel™ XF, wt%

96.0 ± 0.5

Ethanol (SDA), wt%

4.0 ± 0.3

Nonvolatile Residue, ppm wt

2.0 max.

Moisture, ppm wt

200 max.

Consideration should be given to retrofit of existing, orpurchase of new, vapor degreasing equipment to provide
vapor containment technology that enables safe andeconomical use of Vertrel™ XE.
Drum pumps are recommended to dispense Vertrel™ XEfrom its container. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
specific handling precautions and instructions.

Appearance

Clear, colorlessVertrel™ XESpecialty Fluid

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™ is a trademark of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.
Replaces: K-04161-2
C-11175 (2/17)