Surclean Vapoursolve 1000 Technical Data Sheet
Surclean Vapoursolve 1000 – Technical Data Sheet.
DESCRIPTION
Surclean Vaporsolve 1000 is a highly effective, economic, vapour phase cleaning material
designed as a drop in replacement for earlier generation materials which are either hazardous, banned under the Montreal protocol or prohibitively expensive. These include HCFC-141b, Freon, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, T.C.E., Perchloroethylene and HFE type Solvents. Surclean
Vapoursolve 1000 is a blend of stabilized n-Propyl Bromide combined with solvent to form an azeotrope optimised for the fast and effective removal of a wide range of ionic residues and soils from PCB Assemblies. In use, the advanced stabilizer chemistry offers an exceptionally long bath life with the ability to maintain cleaning performance through many process distil-lation cycles before requiring replacement.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Surclean Vapoursolve 1000 is non ozone layer depleting and has negligible global warming
Potential. The main constituent of Vapoursolve 1000 n-Propyl Bromide, in common with almost all vapour phase cleaners, is classified as 100% VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).
However the U.S. EPA recommends nPB as a replacement under the SNAP (significant new
alternatives policy), ozone depleting chemicals. It is not listed as an HAP (Hazardous air
pollutant). Vapousolve 1000 is classified non-hazardous for transport and is non flammable
under current CHIP regulations. Vapoursolve 1000 has been tested and found to exhibit
the following ecological impact parameters:-
GWP (global warming potential – 100 year horizon) 0.31
ODP (ozone depletion potential) 0.002 – 0.003
Atmospheric lifetime 11 days
PROCESS INITIATION
Vapor phase cleaning equipment must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all residues of
previous cleaning materials. The internal structure, tanks, pipework, filters etc should be
neutralized with a mild alkali such as Sodium Carbonate (1% by weight in water typical).
Heat the cleaning system to between 50 – 52 deg. C and ensure solution penetrates all
parts of the system which come into contact with the solvent for three to four hours. Flush
through multiple times with fresh water with heaters set to high temperature (water boil
point if possible) and maintain final rinse water in system at temperature for at least one
hour. Then empty system removing as much water as possible from tanks and removable pipes, filters etc. Flush through a small amount of Vapoursolve 1000 to purge system and dispose of drained residue. Do not mix Vapoursolve 1000 with any other products.
Power up cleaning system and fill with Vapoursove 1000 in accordance with the procedure
specified within the technical operating instructions for the system. Check solvent level and water separators frequently during the first hour of operation. Check system for evidence of leaks. Seals and gaskets used within the construction of the cleaning system should be of VITON or PTFE materials for compatibility with Vapoursolve 1000.
Recommended Cleaning system parameters
Tank heater setting 71 – 73 deg. C.
Condensing coil refrigeration setting 2 – 6 deg. C.
Tank heater safety cut out setting 85 deg. C.
Condensing coil vapour safety control 63 deg. C.
SAFETY
Vapoursolve 1000 is non flammable and non carcinogenic. It is safe to use in most vapour
Phase cleaning systems providing that the the recommended parameters are available.
Users of equipment should ensure that operator exposure levels are maintained at or below
25 ppm. Organic vapour exposure badges are available from Surclean and authorized
distributors. All personel coming into regular contact with the Vapoursolve material process
should be issued with an exposure badge. Testing of the isssued badges must be carried
out at six monthly intervals. This service is available through Surclean. The following process
recommendations can assist in reducing operator exposure to below acceptable limits:-
1) Condenser refrigeration – the main condenser coils maintain the upper limit of the
vapour level. These must be capable of being set to a low enough temperature to prevent
excessive losses (2 – 6 deg. C). In general the lower the temperature the less potential
losses. Some more advanced vapour phase cleaner systems have secondary condenser
coils which are operated at sub zero temperatures to provide additional vapour level cont-
ainment.
2) Cleaning system design – a high freeboard between the top level of the vapour blanket
and the physical top surface of the machine can assist in containment of vapours within
the body of the cleaning system.
3) Ventilation – users must ensure that the area where the cleaning is processed has
adequate ventilation. Forced extraction ventilation is recommended. As Vapoursolve 1000
is heavier than air, a floor level intake to scavenge escaped vapour is beneficial. Where
rim extraction is fitted to the cleaning system by the manufacturer, it should be utilized.
4) Machine covers – removable tank covers must be kept in place when the cleaning system
is not in use to minimize solvent losses.
5) Work handling to minimize losses – remove work baskets from system slowly. If auto
work handling is fitted, ensure handler does not withdraw baskets from the process area
faster than 3 metres per minute. Hold work basket within the vapour blanket area to
equilize temperature so that liquid solvent is not withdrawn from the machine. Arrange
work within the handling basket so that all the solvent drains and no liquid is withdrawn.
SOLVENT MAINTENANCE
Vapoursolve 1000 has an extremely good bath life and will satisfactorily clean work through many process operations. However eventually the cleaning ability will be reduced and there are two parameters which indicate the point at which material must be replaced.
1) Residue loading levels – once it is observed that the boiling temperature for the solvent
has increased from the normal maximum of 73 deg. C up to the 74 – 77 deg C range, the
material must be replaced as this is an indicates residue levels have reached approximately
40% by volume.
2) Acid neutralizing capacity – Vapoursolve 1000 can neutralize very significant acidic
residues from Flux through many cleaning cycles. The Acid acceptance level of the solvent
should be tested on a regular basis using the Surclean VS1000 Acid acceptance test kit.
Follow test method in the accompanying instructions and when the test results indicates it is
required, drain the solvent completely and replace with new Vapoursolve 1000 material.
DISPOSAL OF USED SOLVENT
Vapoursolve 1000 as new material is not considered hazardous. However used material
drained from the cleaning system at the end of its service life is contaminated with heavy
metals, salts and resorcinol and organic acids which are a pollutant. It should be disposed
of in accordance with local and national regulations. The recommended disposal method is
through an authorized waste disposal contractor for incineration. It can sometimes be sent
for disposal into land fill under local waste authority legislation. In the UK, the waste solvent
is classified as special waste. Within the EU it is classified in accordance with regulation
78/319/EEC. Surclean maintains contact with a number of waste contractors and can advise
users of suitable sources for this service.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance clear colourless to pale straw coloured liquid.
PH N/A (organic liquid)
Boiling point 67 – 68 deg. C.
Flash point NONE COC (Mod.) (ASTM D92) CHIP tested.
Auto ignition temperature 490 deg. C.
Thermal decomposition temp. 204 deg. C.
Density 1.288 - 135 gms/cc at 25 deg. C.
Vapour density 4.3 (g/litre, BP and 760 mm Hg)
Vapour pressure 111mm Hg at 20 deg C.
Evaporation rate (TCA = 1) 0.96
Solubility in water 245 ppm
Solubility of water 500 ppm
Flammability limits (vol. %) 4 – 8
Kauri Butanol (KB) value 125
Atmospheric lifetime 11 days
Rec. max exposure limit (TLV) 25 ppm
Metal compatibility tests No indication of corrosion –Aluminium, Brass, Copper,
Inconel, Monel, Nickel, Carbon Steel, 316 Stain. Steel,
Titanium, Zinc.
Acid acceptance wt/volume 0.18
Free Halides Passed test.
Water content wt % 0.18 max.
Base material standard meets ASTM-D 6368
STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE
Store Vapoursolve 1000 in the manufacturers original containers, sealed, and in a clean dry area at Below 60 deg. C. The product has an unlimited shelf life.
SAFETY AND TOXICITY
See Material safety data sheet for information.