Archive for category: Sustainable Chemicals Strategy

Hydrofluorocarbons present may have emissions properties that are not ideal for the environment. Hydrofluoroethers on the other hand have properties that promote eco-friendliness. Keep reading below to learn more about hydrofluorocarbons versus hydrofluoroethers.

\What are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)?  

Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of artificial compounds, also classified as greenhouse gases, that is composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. Most are colorless, odorless, and nonreactive. This group of compounds is commonly used for cooling systems and other applications, including: 

• Refrigeration  
• Air conditioning 
• Insulation building 
• Aerosols propellant 

What is wrong with HFCs?  

Unfortunately, hydrofluorocarbons have a relatively negative reputation as being powerful contributors to global warming, with certain HFCs, such as trifluoromethane, having a significantly higher warming potential than carbon dioxide. Though HFCs replaced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as a safer alternative to the environment, HFCs still have a very high warming potential and their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is increasing at a rapid rate, specifically at around 10% to 15% percent every year.  

What are hydrofluoroethers (HFEs)?  

Hydrofluoroethers are a group of organic solvents that were formulated as an alternative to environmentally harmful chemicals, such as HFCs and CFCs. HFEs have multiple applications as industrial chemicals, including: 

• Refrigeration 
• Degreasing solvent 
• Cleaning agent 
• Heat transfer fluid 

Are HFEs better than HFCs? 

In terms of eco-friendliness, yes! HFEs have a significantly lower warming potential than HFCs. Unlike HFCs. HFEs have almost zero contribution to ozone depletion. Though they are still classified as greenhouse gases, HFEs have very short lifetimes in the atmosphere, specifically around only two weeks, as opposed to HFCs’ 15 to 29-year atmospheric lifetime.  

Other than being eco-friendly, what are some other benefits of HFEs? 

Some of the best properties of HFEs as solvents include: 

• Low toxicity 
• Non-flammable 
• Compatible with most metals and various materials 
• Low surface tension  
• Low viscosity  

Low surface tension and viscosity allow for HFEs to work very well as degreasing products, cleaning solutions, and vapor degreasers, namely because a low surface tension will enable a cleaning fluid to reach into snug spaces because it spreads out further than high surface tension solutions would. Though HFEs typically have low toxicity, it decomposes at high temperatures to give the decomposition products of hydrogen fluoride and fluorocarbons, which can be toxic to humans.  

Looking for products made of Hydrofluoroethers?

Looking for an eco-friendly reliable product to satisfy your industrial or business needs? You can begin shopping for products here, or you can contact the specialized staff here to find the best product for you! To learn about sustainable chemicals strategy, click the link here.

Hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) were created to replace several environmentally harmful chemicals that are used in a range of industries. With similar properties to the harmful chemicals, they offer almost all the same advantages in terms of uses but also allow for several environmentally friendly characteristics.  

Applications of Hydrofluoroethers 

Hydrofluoroethers are used in a variety of ways; a few distinctive uses are listed below. 

• Cleaning Solvents  
• Heat Transfer Fluids 

• Blowing Agents 

How Hydrofluoroethers Work  

A breakdown of each application of HFEs is described below.  

Cleaning Solvents

Hydrofluoroethers are often used in conjunction with a rinse agent to create a co-solvent system that increases the cleaning power. HFEs provide a non-flammable, inert vapor blanket that is ideal for heavy oils, hot melts, greases, and flux residues. Since HFEs have low solubility in water, are compatible with a variety of surfaces, and are stable without additives, they create a cost-effective option for cleaning solvents. Their environmental characteristics also provide indirect savings in the form of no longer paying environmental regulation fees since there are minimal harmful emissions released.  

Heat Transfer Fluids

Hydrofluoroethers can be used as heat transfer fluids for organic semiconductors without changing their properties. By immersing a semiconductor into the fluid, the semiconductors can cool efficiently due to the good heat conductivity and dielectric properties. Since hydrofluoroethers are orthogonal to many other solvents used in this process, they are easily recyclable. Other qualities such as non-flammable, zero ozone depletion potential, and low global warming potential are simply additional perks of working with hydrofluoroethers as a heat transfer fluid for semiconductors. 

Blowing Agents

To substitute hydrochlorofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons with hydrofluoroethers in blowing agents, there is a minimal difference in the effect of the agent. Thanks to the similarity in physical and thermochemical properties such as low thermal conductivity, low surface tension, and inflammability, hydrofluoroethers offer the same values to a blowing agent as opposing chemicals. 

Overall, HFEs provide a more environmentally friendly option while maintaining the same quality of products and services in several applications. 

Looking to make sustainable chemical changes?

To learn more about hydrofluoroethers, contact us or request a quote! Ecolink strives to match each client with the best-suited chemicals for their needs! To learn more about sustainable chemicals strategy click here.