Fluorinert
Encyclopedia
Fluorinert is the trademarked brand name for the line of electronics coolant liquids sold commercially by 3M
. It is an electrically insulating
, stable fluorocarbon
-based fluid which is used in various cooling applications. It is mainly used for cooling electronics. Different molecular formulations are available with a variety of boiling point
s, allowing it to be used in "single phase" applications where it remains a liquid, or for "two-phase" applications where the liquid boils to remove additional heat via evaporative cooling. An example of one of the compounds 3M uses is FC-72, or perfluorohexane
(C6F14). Perfluorohexane is used for low temperature heat transfer
applications due to its 56°C boiling point. Another example is FC-75
, perfluoro(2-butyl-tetrahydrofurane). There are 3M fluids that can handle up to 215 °C, like FC-70
.
Fluorinert is used in situations where air will not carry away enough heat, or where airflow is so restricted that some sort of forced pumping is required.
Use should be constrained to closed systems and reduced volumes as fluorinated oils have a very high global warming potential
and a long atmospheric lifetime.
to determine animal survivability when submerged in highly oxygenated
Fluorinert. Lab rats have survived for extended periods in such an environment, but invariably died due to lung trauma after removal.
The science fiction film The Abyss
(1989) postulated an experimental liquid breathing
system, in which the use of highly oxygenated Fluorinert would enable a diver to descend to great depths. While several rats were shown actually breathing Fluorinert (this scene was cut in the United Kingdom as it was seen as animal cruelty), scenes depicting actor Ed Harris
using the fluid-breathing apparatus were simulated.
"The Fluorinert test is one in which a trimmer is immersed in Fluorinert at 85 °C. Fluorinert has a much lower surface tension than of water
which allows any accumulated air to escape more rapidly than in water. The device is then observed for abnormal or continuous release of air bubbles."
http://www.bourns.com/bu/bu03_04ontrimmers3.html.
3M
3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....
. It is an electrically insulating
Electrical insulation
thumb|250px|[[Coaxial Cable]] with dielectric insulator supporting a central coreThis article refers to electrical insulation. For insulation of heat, see Thermal insulation...
, stable fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbons, sometimes referred to as perfluorocarbons or PFCs, are organofluorine compounds that contain only carbon and fluorine bonded together in strong carbon–fluorine bonds. Fluoroalkanes that contain only single bonds are more chemically and thermally stable than alkanes...
-based fluid which is used in various cooling applications. It is mainly used for cooling electronics. Different molecular formulations are available with a variety of boiling point
Boiling point
The boiling point of an element or a substance is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid....
s, allowing it to be used in "single phase" applications where it remains a liquid, or for "two-phase" applications where the liquid boils to remove additional heat via evaporative cooling. An example of one of the compounds 3M uses is FC-72, or perfluorohexane
Perfluorohexane
Perfluorohexane or tetradecafluorohexane, is a fluorocarbon. It is a derivative of hexane in which all of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms. It is used in one formulation of the electronic cooling liquid/insulator Fluorinert for low temperature applications due to its low boiling...
(C6F14). Perfluorohexane is used for low temperature heat transfer
Heat transfer
Heat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the exchange of thermal energy from one physical system to another. Heat transfer is classified into various mechanisms, such as heat conduction, convection, thermal radiation, and phase-change transfer...
applications due to its 56°C boiling point. Another example is FC-75
FC-75
FC-75 is a fluorocarbon derivative of tetrahydrofuran with the chemical formula C8F16O. It is practically insoluble in water.It is one of the 3M Fluorinert fluids. It is used as an inert coolant fluid in electronics and other applications, and as a solvent. FC-75 can be synthesized by the same...
, perfluoro(2-butyl-tetrahydrofurane). There are 3M fluids that can handle up to 215 °C, like FC-70
FC-70
FC-70 is the trademark name for perfluoro-tripentylamine, which is a fluorocarbon. It is used as an electronics coolant, and has a high boiling point. It is practically insoluble in water....
.
Fluorinert is used in situations where air will not carry away enough heat, or where airflow is so restricted that some sort of forced pumping is required.
Toxicity
Fluorinert may be harmful if inhaled and care should be taken to avoid contact with eyes and skin. No health effects are expected by ingestion of Fluorinert, however.Use should be constrained to closed systems and reduced volumes as fluorinated oils have a very high global warming potential
Global warming potential
Global-warming potential is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere. It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide. A GWP is calculated over a specific time...
and a long atmospheric lifetime.
Characteristics
Gases including oxygen have high solubility in Fluorinert, as fluorocarbons exhibit weak cohesive intermolecular forces. Experiments have been conducted on lab animalsAnimal testing
Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments. Worldwide it is estimated that the number of vertebrate animals—from zebrafish to non-human primates—ranges from the tens of millions to more than 100 million...
to determine animal survivability when submerged in highly oxygenated
Oxygen saturation
Oxygen saturation or dissolved oxygen is a relative measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium. It can be measured with a dissolved oxygen probe such as an oxygen sensor or an optode in liquid media, usually water.It has particular significance in medicine and...
Fluorinert. Lab rats have survived for extended periods in such an environment, but invariably died due to lung trauma after removal.
The science fiction film The Abyss
The Abyss
The Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. It stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. The original musical score was composed by Alan Silvestri...
(1989) postulated an experimental liquid breathing
Liquid breathing
Liquid breathing is a form of respiration in which a normally air-breathing organism breathes an oxygen-rich liquid , rather than breathing air....
system, in which the use of highly oxygenated Fluorinert would enable a diver to descend to great depths. While several rats were shown actually breathing Fluorinert (this scene was cut in the United Kingdom as it was seen as animal cruelty), scenes depicting actor Ed Harris
Ed Harris
Edward Allen "Ed" Harris is an American actor, writer, and director, known for his performances in Appaloosa, Radio, The Rock, The Abyss, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, A History of Violence, and The Truman Show. Harris has also narrated commercials for The Home Depot and other companies...
using the fluid-breathing apparatus were simulated.
See also
- Full immersion cooling
- Use in electronic industry component seal test in printed circuit board technology
"The Fluorinert test is one in which a trimmer is immersed in Fluorinert at 85 °C. Fluorinert has a much lower surface tension than of water
which allows any accumulated air to escape more rapidly than in water. The device is then observed for abnormal or continuous release of air bubbles."
http://www.bourns.com/bu/bu03_04ontrimmers3.html.
External links
- 3M Fluorinert Electronic Liquids - contains links to Material Safety Data SheetMaterial safety data sheetA Material Safety Data Sheet is a form with data regarding the properties of a particular substance....
s and Product Information Sheets - http://www.bourns.com/bu/bu03_04ontrimmers3.html