Aqueous Cleaning vs. Solvent Cleaning
Solvent cleaning offers a number of advantages over aqueous cleaning. In many applications requiring high purity and low contaminant levels on finished parts, such as electronic components, aerospace materials and medical devices, solvent systems such as 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids can offer a number of important cost and performance advantages over aqueous cleaning systems.
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Aqueous Cleaning - The Facts
Size & Cost of Aqueous Cleaning Equipment
Aqueous cleaning systems are by necessity larger, more complex and more labour-intensive than Novec solvent-based systems. Smaller, simpler solvent equipment is therefore lower cost than equivalent aqueous cleaning equipment. Get the FREE guide
Aqueous Cleaning Energy Consumption
Energy consumption for aqueous cleaning is typically more than double the energy required for cleaning with 3M™ Novec™ ultrasonic cleaning fluids. Get the FREE guide
Waste Water, A Hidden Cost?
Aqueous cleaning uses copious amounts of water, which is a hidden cost. Water must be processed with deionization or reverse osmosis equipment prior to use. Extra cost is associated with disposal of wastewater contaminated with oils, heavy metals, etc... Get the FREE guide
Cycle Time - 8 Minutes vs. 20 Minutes
Solvent cleaning with 3M™ Novec™ ultrasonic cleaning fluids requires fewer steps than aqueous cleaning - normally 1 wash, 1 rinse,1 vapour dry with a typical cycle time of 8 minutes compared to usual aqueous cleaning cycle time of 20 minutes due to multiple rinsing stages and slower drying. Get the FREE guide
Unlike most aqueous cleaning processes, Novec fluids offer faster cleaning and quick spot free drying with lower energy consumption and lower capital equipment cost.
Want to Learn More About Ultrasonic Cleaners?
How do I comply with ultrasonic cleaning legislation & regulation?
Why should I use Novec to replace my current aqueous cleaning solution?
Are you confused by the legislation & restrictions surrounding Trichloroethylene or Methylene Chloride or HFC Solvents used in your ultrasonic cleaning? Are you concerned by the quantity of nPB you are consuming? Or are the huge volumes of water being consumed in your aqueous cleaning becoming a hidden cost? Take a look at our comparison overview.
What equipment do I require?
Are you conducting ultrasonic cleaning for the first time? Want to understand how legislation around Trichloroethylene impacts on your equipment? Are you replacing your existing solvent with Novec but don't know if it can be used with your equipment? Let us help to guide you through.
Tell me about the ultrasonic cleaning process.
Want to know more about the ultrasonic cleaning process? Let our video demonstrations guide you through a start to finish process and see the advantages of vapour degreasing cleaning systems over aqueous cleaning.
How can I improve health & safety when cleaning with solvent?
Traditional ultrasonic cleaning solvents such as Trichloroethylene and nPB carry a number of carcinogenic risk phrases and some are also classed as CMRs (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reproductive Toxin). Let us help you understand the risks, their impacts and ways to overcome them.
