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It demonstrates exceptionally high cleaning performance against organic contaminants—such as tenaciously adhering sebum and skin flakes—that were difficult to remove with conventional fluorine-based cleaning agents, as well as inorganic particles such as alumina smaller than 3 um and fine talc particles in the 0.5 um range. Through a synergistic effect with ultrasonic cleaning, it thoroughly prevents the re-adhesion of fine foreign particles.
The product features a “PFAS-free” design that completely avoids the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which international efforts to ban their manufacture and use are accelerating. Furthermore, since it consists of approximately 70% water, it achieves low VOC emissions and complies with China’s mandatory national standard (GB38508-2020). As it has no flash point, it can be safely operated at production sites both domestically and internationally.
Since the cleaning agent contains absolutely no non-volatile components—such as surfactants—it completes the entire process from cleaning to rinsing and drying with a single solution, just like fluorine-based solvents. It generates absolutely no wastewater, unlike systems that use a continuous flow of pure water. Furthermore, the Distiller (Distillation and recycling device) inside the unit removes contaminants from the solution, enabling long-term operation with only the replenishment of fresh solution.
Are you facing challenges such as foreign-particle defects or environmental regulations in the manufacturing process of precision devices?
| Particles is a general term for microscopic particles ranging in size from nanometers to micrometers; they are foreign matter that, if generated or introduced during the manufacturing process of electronic devices and components, can adversely affect product quality and yield.
Particles come in a wide variety, including both organic and inorganic materials, such as metal shavings generated during machining and molding, dust in the air, and metal or resin debris resulting from contact and wear between moving parts of manufacturing equipment. |
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| One of the largest sources of particles is the on-site workers themselves. Sebum, skin flakes, and lint adhering to the human body—as well as ingredients found in cosmetics and hair products—are all particles that pose a risk of contaminating product surfaces or compromising the products’ electrical reliability.
Of course, on-site workers wear cleanroom suits, masks, and other protective gear depending on the cleanliness level of the site, but it is difficult to completely eliminate particles emitted by people. |
For example, modern automobiles use a large number of camera modules and optical sensors. If particles remain inside components during the manufacturing process of these sensors, they can contaminate critical components such as image sensors and optical elements, potentially causing serious accidents due to malfunctions or false detections.
In addition, camera modules for mobile devices are becoming increasingly compact and sophisticated, meaning that even particles with smaller diameters or in smaller quantities can affect product quality if they remain. Consequently, the particle removal process is required to achieve ever-higher levels of cleaning quality.
We will compare and evaluate the challenges associated with conventional fluorine-based and water-based cleaning agents—which have long been used in particle (microscopic foreign matter) removal processes for precision electronic components and semiconductors—against the non-fluorine-based cleaning agent MICROCLEAN FPS.
| Comparison Criteria | MICROCLEAN FPS | Fluorine-based cleaning agents (HFE, HFC, etc.) |
Water-based cleaning agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety and Environmental Compliance (Legal and Regulatory Risks) |
*Completely Fluorine-Free and Compliant with International Environmental Regulations* Since it contains absolutely no fluorinated compounds (PFAS *-free), there is no risk of future usage restrictions or supply disruptions. It does not fall under the Organic Substances Regulations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act or the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act. Furthermore, because it has no flash point (non-hazardous material), it allows for the creation of a safe working environment without the need for explosion-proof equipment. |
*Risk of Future Prohibition Due to Comprehensive PFAS Regulations* While they are non-flammable and offer a high level of workplace safety, their biggest drawback is that they are subject to international environmental regulations (primarily in Europe and the United States, which ban all PFAS and fluorinated compounds). Measures to address manufacturing bans and usage restrictions have become an urgent global priority, and the industry faces the risk of future supply disruptions. |
*High safety standards with no flash point* Like fluorocarbon-based products, it has no flash point and is therefore not classified as a hazardous material under the Fire Service Act, allowing for safe operation. Emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which contribute to air pollution, and its global warming potential (GWP) are both virtually zero, making it highly environmentally friendly. |
| Cleaning Performance and Product Reliability |
*Combines powerful grease-cutting ability with excellent drying performance* It powerfully dissolves machining oils and greases that cause particles to adhere to product surfaces. Since it does not contain surfactants or alkaline components—unlike water-based washing systems—it completely eliminates the risk of reduced insulation reliability in electronic circuits caused by residue (white residue) left after drying. |
*Excellent drying properties and low oil-solubility* It offers excellent volatility (quick-drying properties) and has the advantage of causing minimal chemical effects—such as swelling or degradation—on delicate resins and metal components. However, its ability to dissolve oils and greases—which can cause particles to adhere—is limited. |
*Risk ofresidual surfactants and alkaline components* While this process offers high cleaning power, a major challenge is that trace amounts of cleaning agent components—such as surfactants and strong alkaline compounds—that are not completely rinsed away during the subsequent rinsing step tend to remain on the product surface. There is concern that these residues may cause cosmetic defects after drying or compromise the reliability of the circuits. |
| Wastewater Management Operating Costs |
*Single-Solution System with Zero Wastewater Operation via In-Equipment Distiller* The entire process—from cleaning to finishing—is completed using a single solution, and the system can be operated on a closed-loop basis thanks to the Distiller(distillation and recycling device) built into the dedicated cleaning equipment. There is no need for wastewater treatment facilities or pure water production systems, which typically require significant investment, thereby reducing both the initial investment in the cleaning system and the ongoing costs of cleaning agents. |
*High liquid costs and health concerns for humans* The procurement cost of the liquid itself is extremely high, and managing liquid loss (consumption) due to evaporation puts a strain on operating costs. In addition, costs are incurred to implement measures to protect workers’ health (ensure safety) at the worksite, such as addressing the risk of inhalation. |
*The burden of using large volumes of pure water in a continuous flow system and treating the wastewater* During the rinse (rinsing) process, large amounts of compressed air or pure water must be used to remove residual substances, resulting in a massive volume of wastewater. The significant costs associated with maintaining dedicated wastewater treatment facilities and contracting out wastewater disposal place a heavy burden on the facility. |
The regulatory status of PFAS is as follows: (As of January 2025)
In the EU, proposed regulations are being introduced that would completely ban the manufacture, sale, and use of products containing PFAS at concentrations above a certain threshold.
In the United States, businesses that manufacture or import products containing PFAS for commercial purposes are required to submit information related to PFAS; this requirement covers more than 1,462 types of PFAS compounds.
It demonstrates extremely high removal performance even against strongly adherent organic particles of human origin and microscopic particles—which were difficult to handle with conventional cleaning agents such as fluorine-based cleaners.
| Items to Be Cleaned | Before Cleaning | Before Cleaning | MICROCLEAN
FPS-4700 |
Fluorine-based cleaning agent | Water-based cleaning agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebum + Skin Flakes Average particle size: approx. 20 μm |
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| ◎ | ◯ | △ | ◯' | ||
| Alumina Average particle size: approximately 3 um |
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| ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ◯ | ||
| Talc Average particle size: approx. 0.5 um |
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| ◎ | ◯ | △ | × |
Removal Efficiency Rating Criteria: ◎: 99% or higher; ◯: 98–90%; ◯': 89–70%; △: 69–40%; ✕: 39% or lower
Cleaning Conditions: Ultrasonic cleaning at 45 kHz/300 W, 50°C for 1 minute
| Product# | MICROCLEAN | |
|---|---|---|
| FPS-4712 | FPS-4700 | |
| Specific Gravity | 0.98 | 0.99 |
| Surfae tension mN/m(25 ℃) | 30 | 32 |
| boiling point ℃ | ≧100 | ≧100 |
| Flash point ℃ | None | None |
| ODP | 0 | 0 |
| Chinese VOC restriction (GB38508-2020) |
Semi-aqueous | Low VOC Semi-aqueous |
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製品情報
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Technial report
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Are you facing challenges in the particle removal process for precision electronic components or semiconductors—such as "looking for PFAS-free alternative cleaning agents", "wanting to eliminate the high wastewater treatment costs associated with water rinsing and product residue caused by inadequate drying", or "wondering if there are cleaning systems with low operating costs"?
We can conduct cleaning tests using your actual products and provide samples tailored to the design specifications of your workpieces or target objects. Please feel free to contact us.
| Inquiry and question |
| Please be as specific as possible in your inquiry. Depending on the contents of your inquiry, it may take some time for us to reply to you. For SDS, please contact us from [Requests for SDS] in the upper right corner. ※Sales through the inquiry form are strictly prohibited. |
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