Vertrel™ X-Si
Specialty Fluid

Silicone Deposition, Removal, and SwellingTechnical Information
Introduction

Table 1. Physical Properties

Vertrel™ X-Si is a proprietary blend of Vertrel™ XF

Propertyahydrofluorocarbon (2,3-dihydrodecafluoropentane) andMolecular Weight203

hexamethyldisiloxane. It is ideally suited for use in medical

Boiling Point, °C (°F)

57 (134)

applications as a solvent for cleaning or depositing silicone

Liquid Density, kg/L

1.05

oil-based lubricants. It is also used as a swelling media forVapor Pressure, atm

0.178

silicone rubber tubing.

Surface Tension, N/m

0.014

Freezing Point, °C (°F)<–50 (<–80)

Vertrel™ X-Si has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) andHeat of Vaporization at Boiling Point, kJ/kg

low global warming potential (GWP) and is exempted as avolatile organic compound (VOC). Vertrel™ X-Si is acceptedby the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under
the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program asa substitute for ozone-depleting substances. It is an

159.0

Heat Capacity, kJ/kg °CN/A

Viscosity, cP

0.60

Flash Point
Closed Cup, °C
Open Cup, °C<–18b<0cVapor Flammability in Air
Lower Limit, vol%Upper Limit, vol%alternative to environmentally regulated fluids, such as
CFC‑113, 1,1,1‑trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA ormethylchloroform), HCFC-141b, and hexane (a VOC).

Vertrel™ X-Si

5–dapplications in the medical field.

At 25 °C (77 °F), except where indicated.
Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D93)
cTag Open Cup Tester (ASTM D1310)
dUnable to determine Upper Limit due to condensation

Physical properties of Vertrel™ X-Si are shown in Table 1.

Solubility and Swelling

Vertrel™ X-Si can replace high global warming potential
materials like perfluorocarbon (PFC) fluids in similar

Process of Use
For most applications using Vertrel™ X-Si, parts are immersedin the solvent at room temperature. Vertrel™ X-Si evaporatesabLaboratory test data for solubility of common silicone fluids
in Vertrel™ X-Si are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Solubility of Typical Silicone Fluids in Vertrel™ X-Si atquickly; thus, it is recommended that the vapor-to-air

Room Temperature (% Oil Loading in Solvent)interface area be minimized and/or the solvent be cooled toOilpromote efficient and effective use. Due to flammability

Vertrel™ X-Si

CFC-113

HexaneDC-200*141925characteristics, this product should be used in appropriately

DC-360*212446rated areas and equipment. If there is a need to use theDC-550*

33

3958

solvent at higher temperatures, a flammable-rated, single

DC-1107*455165sump vapor degreaser can be used. Vertrel™ X-Si is not an

NuSil Med 4159

282931

azeotrope and should not be used in a two-sump vapor*As manufactured by Dow Corning.

degreaser, as components of the blend may separate.

Vertrel™ X-Si

Specialty Fluid

Data was also collected to measure swelling of polysilicone

Metals and Other Compatibilitytubing. The data shown in Table 3 compares change inwidth and weight of polysilicone tubing in various solventswith Vertrel™ X-Si.

Vertrel™ X-Si

as aluminum, copper, zinc, carbon steel, and stainless steel.
Contact with highly basic process materials, pH 10 orTable 3. Swelling of Polysilicone Tubing
Test

Vertrel™ X-Si is very stable with most common metals, suchCFC-113

Hexaneabove, is not recommended.
Table 4. Plastic Compatibility Immersion: 15 Minutes at

At Room Temperature% Change in Width15

1623% Change in Weight

60

133

83

At Boiling Point*

Room Temperature
Compatible
Polyethylene

ABS% Change in Width2020

24

Polypropylene

Acetal% Change in Weight

64

144

63

Polystyrene

Acrylic

Polyester, PET, PBT

Epoxy

Polyphenylene Oxide, PPO

Ionomer

Polyimide, PI, PEI, PAI

Liquid Crystal Polymer

Polyetherketone, PEK

Phenolic

Polyaryletherketone, PEEK

PVC, CPVC

Polysulfone

PTFE, ETFE

Polyarylsulfone

Cellulosic*47 °C (117 °F) for CFC-113; 54 °C (129 °F) for Vertrel™= KCD-X-Si; 68 °C (154 °F)
for Hexane

Note that Vertrel™ X-Si has similar swelling capability
compared with hexane and CFC-113. However, Vertrel™
X-Si is superior in performance because it results in amuch smaller weight gain of the polysilicone tubing due tosolvent absorption. This is very desirable from theviewpoint of solvent consumption, as well as a fasterrecovery of the polysilicone tubing to its original state.

Plastic and Elastomer Compatibility
Vertrel™ X-Si is compatible with most polymeric materials
commonly used in the medical application and has excellent
compatibility with polycarbonate and polyurethane materials.
Elastomer swelling and shrinking will, in most cases, revert
to within a few percent of original size after air-drying.
Swell, shrinkage, and extractables are strongly affected by
the compounding agents, plasticizers, and curing used in
the manufacture of plastics and elastomers. Therefore,

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

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

Neopreneprior in-use testing is particularly important.

Polyurethane

Test data for plastics and elastomers compatibility areViton™ B

summarized in Tables 4 and 5. These tests simulate*Material composition varies, depending upon compounding agents, plasticizers,processing, etc. Specific materials should be tested for compatibility with solvent

effects for exposures of parts in a cleaning cycle.
Long-term compatibility data simulating exposure of

Incompatible*
Siliconeequipment construction materials is available fromExposure Limits

Chemours upon request.

Data from acute toxicity studies has demonstrated thatVertrel™ X-Si has low toxicity. Vertrel™ X-Si is a slight skinand eye irritant and has low acute inhalation toxicity. Table 6
shows the applicable exposure limits for the component
materials of Vertrel™ X-Si.

Vertrel™ X-Si

Specialty Fluid

Table 6. Exposure Limits
Component(14 °F), mix prior to use. Do not allow stored product toLimit, ppm

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

TypeVertrel™ XF

AELa

200
400

8- and 12-hr TWA Ceilingb

Hexamethyldisiloxane

IGHc

200

8-hr TWA

Vertrel™ X-Si

AEL

200

Calculateda, b

Vertrel™ X-Si is classified as a flammable liquid by DOT/dAcceptable 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 the blend product as well.
bIHG are the Industrial Hygiene Guidelines.

cdrupture of container from pressure and expansion.

Calculated in accordance with ACGIH formula for TLVs for mixtures

Flammability
Vertrel™ X-Si exhibits a closed cup flash point per the PenskyMartens Closed Cup Tester (ASTM D93) and is classified as aflammable liquid by NFPA or DOT. The product does exhibitvapor flammability limits in air and has the potential to ignite
and burn in an open vessel or, in case of a spill, if an ignition
source is present. Users should clear equipment of all vapors
and liquids before performing any maintenance operations
that could result in an ignition source.
Flash point data and limits of flammability in air provide the user
with additional information that should be used as elements ofa fire risk assessment and to determine guidelines for the safe
handling of volatile chemicals. Users should ensure compliance

NFPA. It does have flammable limits in air and has thepotential to ignite in an open vessel or, in case of a spill, if anignition source is present. A flammable-rated drum pump isrecommended to dispense the product from its container.

Environmental Properties
Vertrel™ specialty fluids have zero ozone depletion
potential and low global warming potential (Table 7). 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.
Table 7. Environmental Properties
Property

Vertrel™ X-Si

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

0

Global Warming Potential (GWP/100 yr ITH)*

741

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC, g/L)

Exempt*IPCC Second Assessment Report (1995)

Packaging and Availability
Vertrel™ X-Si is commercially available in 55-gal (208-L)
drums with a net weight of 440 lb (200 kg). It is alsowith NFPA standards and local fire codes.

available in 5-gal (19-L) pails with a net weight of 40 lb (18Recovery

available on request. Customers are encouraged to secure

Recovery of Vertrel™ X-Si is not recommended. The productsamples now for compatibility and performance testing.

is not an azeotrope, and composition of the recovered
product cannot be ensured.
If recovery is attempted, flammable rated areas andequipment should be used. The presence of soils maykg). One-gallon and smaller samples in glass containers areSpecifications
Composition and specifications are shown in Table 8. Allcomponents are listed in the TSCA Inventory.

further change the characteristics of the material. AnyTable 8. Vertrel™ X-Si Specifications

recovery should be closely monitored to ensure operating

Property

Vertrel™ X-Si

levels are maintained. Users should test the spent Vertrel™

Vertrel™ XF, wt%

57.0 ± 1.0

X-Si to ensure proper classification for waste disposal.

Hexamethyldisiloxane, wt%

43.0 ± 1.0

Storage/Handling
Vertrel™ X-Si 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

Nonvolatile Residue, ppm wt

10 max.

Moisture, ppm wt

200 max.

Appearance

Clear, colorlessVertrel™ X-Si

Specialty 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.
© 2016 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Vertrel™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo aretrademarks of The Chemours Company.
Replaces: K-04180-2
C-11058 (11/16)