SF 7100™ Engineered Fluid: The Certified Isomeric Alternative to Novec™ 7100
Ensure technical parity and operational stability with a 1:1 drop-in Novec™ 7100 replacement. No equipment changes required.
The Direct Alternative: SF 7100 fluid Isomeric Drop-In for 3M™ Novec™ 7100
3M™ has announced the discontinuation of Novec™ 7100, with final orders ending in 2025. For facilities relying on this 61°C boiling point hydrofluoroether (HFE) for vapor degreasing or heat transfer, SF 7100 fluid provides the most technically sound, lowest-risk path forward. As a molecularly identical alternative (CAS #163702-08-7 & 163702-07-6), SF 7100 fluid ensures immediate process continuity without costly equipment redesign or complex revalidation.
Choose Your Replacement Path
There is no “one-size-fits-all” for 3M™ alternatives. We provide three distinct paths to meet your technical, regulatory, and budgetary goals:
- Path 1: C4F9OCH3 – HFE-7100 Drop-in (SF-7100). The 1:1 molecular replacement for validated processes requiring the same chemical structure (HFE-7100) and performance specs. Work with Standard Fluids’ experts to discuss this amazing chemistry developed in the early 90s!
- Path 2: Performance-Equivalent Match. Work with Standard Fluids’ experts to optimize your cleaning, solvent and cooling applications where “cost-per-clean” and fluid loss is a priority in your process.
- Path 3: This HFE molecule is truly sustainable as a PFAS option for your application. SF 7100 does not bioaccumulate, will not partition to water and has a low GWP. Please talk to your Standard Fluids expert to learn more about this amazing molecule.
Comparative Thermal Profiles & Application Alignment
| Application Goal | Recommended Fluid | Key Performance Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Precision Cleaning | SF 7100 | 61°C Boiling Point for fast drying. |
| Ion Implanter Cooling | SF 7100 | Low viscosity at extreme cold (-135°C) |
| High-Temp Degreasing | SF 7200 | 76°C Boiling Point for heavy soil removal |
| High-Boiling Heat Transfer | SF 7300 | 98°C Boiling Point for stable thermal loops |
Technical Parity Matrix (SF 7100 fluid vs. Novec™ 7100)
| Property | 3M™ Novec™ 7100 | SF 7100 fluid |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | HFE-7100 | HFE-7100 (Isomeric Match) |
| Boiling Point | 61°C | 61°C |
| Surface Tension | 13.6 mN/m | 13.6 mN/m (Precision wetting) |
| Viscosity | 0.38 cSt | 0.38 cSt (High-efficiency cooling) |
| Dielectric Strength | >25 kV | >25 kV |
| Vapor Pressure | 27 kPa | 27 kPa |
| GWP | 297 | 297 |
Standard Fluids supports the most demanding industries currently transitioning from legacy 3M™ fluids:
Semiconductor
Semiconductor: Direct replacement for thermal management in ion implanters, dry etchers, and chiller applications.
Medical Device
Validated precision cleaning for sensitive surgical instruments and orthopedic implants.*
Aerospace & Defense
Reliable performance across extreme temperature ranges from -135°C to 61°C, including vapor phase soldering.
The "Seamless Switch" Protocol
Transitioning to SF 7100 fluid is a "Zero-Mod" process designed to maintain your existing throughput.
- System Flush: Drain legacy fluid and perform a standard rinse.
- Seal Check: Verify compatibility (SF 7100 fluid is compatible with most standard elastomers).
- Drop-In: Refill with SF 7100 fluid; no changes to temperature controllers or heaters are required.
- Complimentary Support: Our engineers provide fluid analysis and technical documentation to assist with your facility’s internal “minor change” validation.
Safety and Regulatory Continuity
SF 7100 fluid maintains the safety profile your team and EHS officers expect:
- Non-Flammable: No flash point; safe for high-voltage and high-temperature environments.
- Environmental: Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and a low atmospheric lifetime of 5 days.
- Compliance: Fully TSCA compliant and EPA SNAP approved for cleaning and cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immersion Cooling
Because SF 7100 fluid is molecularly identical to Novec™ 7100, most facilities can perform a "minor change" validation rather than a full process overhaul.
Yes. While legacy suppliers are winding down by 2025, we maintain immediate, US-based inventory for all HFE replacements.
While miscible, we recommend a full drain to ensure 100% technical purity and consistency in your process.
SF 7100 Resources
Immersion cooling involves submerging electronic components directly into a dielectric liquid such as SF 7100 fluid, allowing for efficient heat transfer and eliminating the need for traditional cooling components.
Immersion cooling offers increased thermal efficiency, enhanced performance, and improved system reliability, reducing the need for complex airflow management and lowering capital and operational expenses.
Immersion cooling submerges IT hardware in a dielectric liquid. Direct-to-chip cooling circulates fluid through cold plates attached to electronic components.
Users should consider tank design, fluid containment, material compatibility, and fluid hygiene. Two-phase immersion cooling offers greater heat transfer efficiency and typically requires less complex cooling infrastructure.