Vertrel™ SMTSpecialty Fluid

Defluxing and Precision Metal Cleaning Removes Rosin, Oils,
and Ionic Contaminants

Technical Information
Introduction

rinse sump. Vertrel™ SMT is also effective in removing heavy

Vertrel™ SMT is a proprietary azeotrope of Vertrel™ XF

industrial soils (e.g., mineral oil, vacuum oil, wax, heavy grease)hydrofluorocarbon (2,3 dihydrodeca-fluoropentane) withtrans-1,2-dichloroethylene and methanol. It is ideally suitedfor use in vapor degreasing equipment with solvency powerfrom parts in a short vapor degreasing cycle.
Table 1. Physical Properties

for cleaning ionic soils and flux residues from electronic

Propertyaassemblies. It can also be used for precision and generalindustrial cleaning where this enhanced solvency is required.
Vertrel™ SMT has zero ozone depletion potential and low
global warming potential. It can replace CFC‑113, AK-225,1,1,1‑trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), hydrochloro-Vertrel™ SMT

HCFC-141b withMeOH

Molecular Weight

128106

Boiling Point, °C (°F)

37 (99)29 (85)Liquid Density, kg/L

1.37

1.22

Vapor Pressure, atm

0.639TBD

Surface Tension, N/m

0.0155

TBD

Freezing Point, °C (°F)<–50 (<–58)<–103 (<–154

Solubility of Water, wt%

0.34

—

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under theHeat of Vaporization at Boiling Point, kJ/kg

207.1

TBD

Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program as aHeat Capacity, kJ/kg • °C

1.13

TBD

substitute for ozone depleting substances.

Viscosity, cP

0.47

0.45

Physical properties of Vertrel™ SMT are shown in Tables 1

Flash Point
Closed Cup
Open Cup

Noneb
NonedNonecNoneVapor Flammability in Air, vol%Lower Limit
Upper Limit

715

620

fluorocarbons (HCFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) inmany applications. Vertrel™ SMT is accepted by the U.S.

and 2.

Cleaning Process
Vapor degreasing should be used for optimum cleaningaeffectiveness and economy. Modern vapor containment

btechnology is recommended for both batch and in-lineequipment. These systems have higher freeboard and asecondary set of low-temperature (–29 °C [–20 °F])
condenser coils to reduce vapor loss.
In a test with RMA and RA flux soldered assemblies, Vertrel™
SMT gave lower ionics and residual rosin levels whencompared to the CFC-113/methanol azeotrope underidentical cleaning cycles of 2 minutes boil sump and 1 minuteAt 25°C (77°F), except where indicated.
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D93)c
Tag Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D1310)
d
Tag Open Cup Tester (ASTM D1310)

Table 2. Density and Vapor Pressure Change with Temperature
Temperature, °C (°F)

Density, kg/L

Vapor Pressure, atm

0 (32)

1.420.217

10 (50)

1.40

0.338

20 (68)

1.38

0.510

25 (77)

1.37

0.619

30 (86)

1.36

0.748

40 (104)

1.33

1.071

50 (122)

1.31

1.501

60 (140)

1.29

2.061

Vertrel™ SMTSpecialty Fluid

Plastic and Elastomer Compatibility

Table 4. Elastomer Compatibility Immersion:

Most plastics commonly used for components mounted on
printed wiring board assemblies can be safely cleaned in

1 Week at 39 °C (102 °F)
Compatible

Vertrel™ SMT. Acrylic, ABS, and polycarbonate parts,Polysulfide (Thiokol FA)

EPDM (Nordel®)particularly if under stress, may show slight cracking or crazing

Chlorosulfonated PE

Butyl Rubber*damage and should be tested. EPDM, butyl rubber, Buna-S,Neoprene*
Require Additional Testingand neoprene are recommended for elastomeric parts.
Buna-N

Polychloroprene

Elastomer swelling and shrinking will, in most cases, revert

Urethane

Silicone

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

Buna-S*Natural Rubber

shrinkage, and extractables are strongly affected by the

Fluoroelastomers

compounding agents, plasticizers, and curing used in themanufacture of plastics and elastomers. Therefore, priorin-use testing is particularly importantTables 3 and 4 summarize test results on short-term
exposures of unstressed plastics and elastomers,

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

simulating a typical cleaning cycle. Long-term compatibility

Metals and Other Compatibility

data simulating exposure of vapor degreaser construction

Vertrel™ SMT was found compatible with aluminum, copper,

materials is available from Chemours upon request.

and iron, with and without rosin flux present, after exposurefor two weeks at 120 °C (248 °F) in sealed tubes.

Table 3. Plastic Compatibility Immersion: 15 Minutes atLarge amounts of water may extract alcohol and affectRoom Temperature
Compatible

cleaning performance. Therefore, to reduce alcohol loss,

Polyethylene

Acetaluse desiccant dryers, rather than water separators, in the

Polypropylene

Epoxycondensate return line.

Polyester, PET, PBT

Liquid Crystal Polymer

Polyimide, PI, PEI, PAI

Phenolic

Polyetherketone, PEKPTFE, ETFE

Polyaryletherketone, PEEKPolyvinylchloridePolyarylsulfone, PAS

Ionomer

Polyphenylene Sulfide, PPS

Chlorinated PVC

Polysulfone, PSO
Incompatible*
Polystyrene

ABS

Cellulosic

Acrylic

Polyphenylene Oxide, PPO*Material composition varies depending upon compounding agents, plasticizers,processing, etc. Specific materials should be tested for compatibility with solvent.

Contact with highly basic process materials, pH 10 orabove, is not recommended.

Exposure Limits
Data from acute toxicity studies has demonstrated thatVertrel™ SMT has low toxicity. Vertrel™ SMT is a slight skinand eye irritant and has low acute inhalation toxicity. Table 5shows the applicable exposure limits for the component
materials of Vertrel™ SMT.

Vertrel™ SMTSpecialty Fluid

Table 5. Exposure Limits
Component

Consideration should be given to retrofit of existing,Limit, ppm

Type

Vertrel™ XF

AELa

200
400

8- and 12-hr TWA Ceilingb

Trans-1,2dichloroethylene

TLVc

200

8-hr TWA

Methanol

AEL
TLV
STELd

200
200
250

8- and 12-hr TWA
8-hr TWA

Stabilizer

AEL
TLV

1020

8- and 12-hr TWA
8-hr TWA

Vertrel“ SMT

AELa, b192

Calculatede

Acceptable Exposure Limit (AEL) is an airborne inhalation exposure limit establishedby Chemours that specifies time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations to which
nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effects.
bA ceiling limit is the concentration that should not be exceeded during any part of theworking day. The ceiling limit for individual components applies to the blend productas well.
cThreshold Limit Value (TLV) is an airborne inhalation exposure limit established by theAmerican Conference of Government and Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) that specifies
time-weighted average concentrations to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly
exposed without adverse effects.
aor purchase of new, vapor degreasing equipment to provide
vapor containment technology that enables safe andeconomical use of Vertrel™ SMT.
Although Vertrel™ SMT is not classified as a flammableliquid by DOT/NFPA, it does have flammable limits in air. A
drum pump is recommended to dispense the product fromits container. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for
specific handling precautions and instructions.

Environmental Legislation
Vertrel™ specialty fluids have zero ozone depletion
potential and low global warming potential (Table 6). They
are used as alternatives to CFC-113, methylchloroform,hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and perfluorocarbons(PFCs) in many critical cleaning, drying, carrier fluid, and otherhigh-value specialty uses where reliability is paramount.

STEL is short-term exposure limit established by ACGIH.
Calculated in accordance with ACGIH formula for TLVs for mixtures

Vertrel™ SMT is accepted by the U.S. EnvironmentalRecovery

Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, as a substitute fordeVertrel™ SMT is readily recoverable. During some recovery
operations, however, especially with flammable soils, orwhere the composition of the Vertrel™ SMT in the liquid orvapor state may change (e.g., during distillation), it ispossible for the mixture to exhibit either a flash point or
wider UEL and LEL.
Unless recovery equipment is rated for flammables, it isrecommended that no more than 75 percent of the liquid
be recovered (i.e., stop the recovery process when 75
percent of the liquid has been boiled over and recovered).
This should ensure an adequate concentration of Vertrel™
XF to suppress the flammability characteristics of theboiling liquid. However, the customer should check carefully
for flammability in their particular application.
Recovery operations should be monitored closely to ensure
operating levels are maintained. Users should test the spent
Vertrel™ SMT to ensure proper classification for waste disposal.

Storage/Handling
Vertrel™ SMT is thermally stable and does not oxidize or
degrade during storage. Store in a clean, dry area. Protectfrom freezing temperatures. If solvent is stored below –10 °C(14 °F), mix prior to use. Do not allow stored product toexceed 52 °C (125 °F) to prevent leakage or potential ruptureof container from pressure and expansion.

Protection Agency (EPA) under the Significant Newozone depleting substances.
The components of Vertrel™ SMT are listed in the TSCA
Inventory. One component, HFC-43-10mee, is subject to the
Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) and should be used only inthe indicated applications. See SDS Regulatory section.
The methanol component of Vertrel™ SMT is considered ahazardous air pollutant (HAP) and, therefore, is subject toNESHAP regulation. Methanol is included in the SARA Title
III Section 313 list of toxic chemicals and is subject toSARA Title III (EPCRA) reporting requirements.
Table 6. Environmental Properties
Property

Vertrel™ SMT

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

0

Global Warming Potential (GWP/100 yr ITH)*

688

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, g/L)

645

*IPCC Second Assessment Report (1995)

Packaging and Availability
Vertrel™ SMT is available commercially in 55-gal (208-L)
drums with a net weight of 550 lb (249 kg) and in 5-gal(19-L) pails with a net weight of 50 lb (23 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™ SMTSpecialty Fluid

Specifications
Composition and specifications are shown in Table 7. Allcomponents are listed in the TSCA Inventory.
Table 7. Vertrel™ SMT Specifications
Property

Vertrel™ SMT

Vertrel™ XF, wt%

52.9 ± 1.0

Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, wt%

43.0 ± 1.0

Methanol, wt%

4.0 ± 0.3

Stabilizer, wt%

0.10 ± 0.05

Nonvolatile Residue, ppm wt10 max.*

Moisture, ppm wt
Appearance

200 max.
Clear, colorless*50 ppm max. in 5-gal/19-L pails

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-04173-1
C-11032 (5/17)