Pillar of the Community
United States
1721 Posts |
What is Freon-TF and why was it banned by EPA? Describe its primary purposes and its superiority in cleaning copper with no other close competitor cleaning product based on laboratory comparison research and its well-known superiority in the hard surface industrial cleaning business.
Freon-TF, also known as 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113), is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) extensively used as a cleaning solvent in various industrial applications due to its high density and low viscosity2. Some primary uses of Freon-TF included:
Cleaning Electronic Components: Freon-TF was widely used for cleaning delicate electronic equipment because of its non-reactivity.
Degreasing Metal Parts: Its effective solvent properties made it suitable for removing grease and other contaminants from metal parts.
Copper Cleaning: Freon-TF was especially efficient in cleaning copper, earning a reputation for being superior to other cleaning agents in this application. Its high density and low viscosity allowed for thorough cleaning, ensuring minimal residue left behind.
Despite its effectiveness, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned Freon-TF because of its environmental impact. Specifically, Freon-TF contributes to ozone layer depletion, which leads to increased harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface1. This not only affects human health but also ecosystems, prompting global agreements like the Montreal Protocol to phase out such substances.
In terms of copper cleaning, Freon-TF was unmatched because of its unique properties:
Superior Solubility: Freon-TF could dissolve substances that other solvents couldn't, resulting in a higher degree of cleanliness.
Non-Corrosive Nature: It didn't corrode or damage copper surfaces, making it ideal for applications requiring high precision.
Efficient Cleaning: The solvent's physical properties allowed for the removal of contaminants without leaving residues, ensuring the copper surfaces remained pristine and conductive.
The search for effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to Freon-TF continues, as it remains a significant challenge to match its superior cleaning properties with a lower environmental impact.
Originally it was in Coin Care the old EAC original product. Today an inferior substitute chloro/fluro-hydrocarbon is substituted. I did work in the Aviation military parts business sector as an Environmental Safety Manager and USEPA eventually did ban Freon-TF for this military product sector. It took a year with comparing to a dozen substitutes in a parts washer operation to eventually settle as the current Coin Care/Verdi care/other inferior products have done in their copper cleaning availability. What is the current situation. Is it available?
|