Novec® Replacements: The Future of Fluorinated Fluids for Electronics Cooling and Industrial Cleaning

The discontinuation of 3M™ Novec® and Fluorinert™ fluids has represented one of the most significant changes in recent years for industries such as electronics cooling, data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and high-precision industrial cleaning.

Faced with this new scenario, many companies are seeking Novec® replacements that maintain the dielectric, thermal, and chemical performance required to ensure the continuity of their processes. At the same time, the evolution of PFAS regulations is driving the development of a new generation of specialized fluids.

In this context, GRIT Gases Research Innovation & Technology develops specific formulations designed to replace legacy fluids and address the new technological challenges facing the industry.

What were Novec® fluids and why did they become an industry standard?

For decades, the fluorinated fluids developed by 3M became an international benchmark thanks to a unique combination of properties that proved difficult to match.

Their main characteristics include:

• High dielectric strength.
• Non-flammable.
• Low viscosity.
• Excellent chemical stability.
• Clean, residue-free evaporation.
• Compatibility with sensitive electronic components.
• High thermal transfer efficiency.

These properties enabled their use in high-value technological applications such as:

• Liquid cooling for power electronics.
• Single-phase immersion cooling.
• Two-phase immersion cooling.
• Data Centers.
• Semiconductor manufacturing.
• PCB cleaning.
• Flux removal.
• Optical component cleaning.
• Precision electronic cleaning.

Why were Novec® fluids discontinued?

3M’s decision to discontinue its entire PFAS product portfolio has forced thousands of companies to rethink their industrial processes.

Although many systems continue to operate correctly, the supply of these fluids is no longer available, driving the search for technically equivalent alternatives.

This situation particularly affects industries where thermal and electrical reliability are critical.

Liquid cooling: growth driven by Artificial Intelligence

The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) is accelerating the adoption of Liquid Cooling technologies.

Among the fastest-growing solutions are:

• Direct-to-Chip Cooling
• Single Phase Immersion Cooling
• Two Phase Immersion Cooling

Compared with traditional air cooling, these technologies provide:

• Higher power density.
• Lower energy consumption.
• Improved thermal efficiency.
• Greater operational stability.

In particular, two-phase immersion cooling requires fluids with highly specific properties, including a controlled boiling point, excellent chemical stability, and outstanding dielectric performance—qualities that Novec® fluids historically provided.

Cleaning Solvents: a strategic application for precision electronics

In addition to cooling, fluorinated fluids play an essential role as Cleaning Solvents in numerous industrial processes.

Thanks to their low surface tension and rapid evaporation, they effectively remove:

• Flux.
• Oils.
• Silicones.
• Organic contaminants.
• Microscopic particles.
• Manufacturing residues.

All without leaving residues on sensitive surfaces.

These properties make them widely used in:

• Electronics.
• Aerospace.
• Defense.
• Medical devices.
• Automotive.
• Semiconductor industry.

GRIT develops Novec® replacements and new functional fluids

In response to this new reality, GRIT develops solutions designed both to replace legacy fluids and to create new products tailored to today’s industrial requirements.

Its work focuses on two main areas.

Novec® replacement fluids

GRIT formulates alternatives designed to ensure the continuity of industrial processes that have historically relied on Novec® fluids, evaluating compatibility and performance for each specific application.

Development of new specialized fluids

At the same time, GRIT develops new formulations for applications including:

• Electronics cooling.
• Artificial Intelligence.
• Data Centers.
• HPC.
• Power electronics.
• Semiconductors.
• Advanced industrial cleaning.

Each project requires balancing parameters such as:

• Viscosity.
• Volatility.
• Thermal transfer.
• Material compatibility.
• Safety.
• Environmental performance.

Innovation and technical support throughout the transition

Replacing a specialized fluid involves much more than simply changing the product.

The following aspects must be evaluated:

• Compatibility with elastomers.
• Compatibility with polymers.
• Compatibility with metals.
• Thermal performance.
• Stability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Real operating conditions.
• Cleaning requirements.
• Process safety.
• Impact regulatory.

The ability to formulate tailored solutions and provide technical support throughout the transition has therefore become a key differentiating factor.

The future of fluids for electronics cooling

Everything indicates that demand for specialized fluids will continue to grow, driven by:

• Artificial Intelligence.
• Data Centers.
• Electric vehicles.
• Power electronics.
• Semiconductor industry.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC).

Innovation in functional fluids will improve energy efficiency, optimize thermal performance, and adapt to an evolving regulatory environment.

Through the development of replacements for legacy products such as Novec® and the formulation of new technical solutions, GRIT contributes to facilitating the technological transition of an industry evolving toward increasingly efficient, reliable, safe, and sustainable cooling and cleaning systems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why were Novec® fluids discontinued?

Because 3M decided to discontinue its entire PFAS product portfolio, including Novec™ and Fluorinert™.

Are there alternatives to Novec®?

Yes. Alternatives are currently being developed to ensure the continuity of numerous industrial applications, always following a technical assessment of compatibility and performance.

Which applications use dielectric fluids?

Mainly electronics cooling, data centers, immersion cooling, semiconductor manufacturing, and certain industrial cleaning processes.

What should be evaluated before replacing a fluid?

Material compatibility, thermal performance, chemical stability, operational safety, and the specific requirements of each process.

How can GRIT help?

GRIT develops tailored formulations and provides technical support to identify the most suitable solution for each industrial application.