Development of Nonflammable, Environmentally Compliant Fluoroiodocarbon Solvents

A highly promising new group of nonaqueous solvents has been identified as potential environmentally compliant "drop-in" replacemens for CFC-113, 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). These alternative chemicals, known as fluoroiodocarbons (FICs), are nonflammable, do not deplete stratospheric ozone, do not cause global warming, have low toxicity, appear to have high cleaning effectiveness, and may be usable in existing vapor degreasers. In addition, FICs are simple to use, evaporate quickly and cleanly, and do not require exposure of the parts being cleaned to water. This Phase I effort screens this group of solvents (both in pure form and in blends with conventional solvents) for top-ranking solvent candidates and provides initial laboratory validation of cleaning effectiveness and thermal stability. The result of this Phase I effort will be a set of six to ten top-ranked solvents to undergo comprehensive testing in Phase II. OPTION TASK: None submitted.