Trike’s sunset date has arrived... What's the alternative?

From April 21^st 2016, users will not be able to use the substance without authorisation (unless they have exemption licences, which not only are rare and expensive to attain, but had an application deadline of October 2014). This means that companies yet to make the move away from Trike – which is already classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reproductive Toxin (CMR) under the Solvent Emissions Directive 1999-13-EC – need to act fast.

Says Alexej Dens, Technical Sales Manager at 3M: “Finding, evaluating, funding and installing a replacement system can take months. The good news is that there is an alternative in the form of hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) such as Novec Engineered Fluid 72DE from 3M. This is not subject to phase-down or phase-out legislative restrictions, has zero ozone depletion, a global warming potential (GWP) of 40, is not classed as CMR, nor does it require extraction, acid acceptance testing or maintenance of stabilisers, unlike Trike.”

Alexej Dens continues, “Novec 72DE also has ideal cleaning properties, including a low surface tension, viscosity and boiling point, with residue-free vapourisation. Less volume of solvent is used compared to Trike and drying processes are short, making Novec 72DE a safe, compliant and efficient cleaning material, whether compared to Trike, water-based systems or other methods.

“We can help provide a wide range of advice and also work closely with cleaning equipment manufacturers, so we can assist Trike users with their transition strategies from evaluation through to installation.”

3M is hosting a workshop on the 11^th of May 2016 (09.45-15.30) at its UK Head Office in Bracknell, Berkshire, where it will give attendees an insight into how to achieve sustainable, effective precision cleaning processes. Places are limited, so pre-booking is required: www.3M.co.uk/cleaningevent

Evaluating alternatives to Trike – a six step strategy

A variety of videos, documents and charts are available at www.3M.co.uk/Noveccleaning to help users understand the properties, advantages or disadvantages of the main cleaning fluids in use today. In addition, Alexej Dens of 3M recommends six steps to consider when looking at alternatives to Trike or any cleaning fluid:

1. Quality of cleaning – how efficient and consistent is removal of residue? Is a trial available?
2. Drying time – is this within your manufacturing or assembly requirements?
3. Energy consumption – often a hidden cost, so it is important to consider this
4. Impact on existing equipment – will you have to replace existing equipment, or can it be modified (or even have a replacement fluid dropped in)?
5. What is the anticipated level of consumption per annum?
6. What about storage and waste disposal?