On this page you will find:
- FPAS Alternative Use-Cases
- Other FPAS Materials
- Chemical Safety Data Sheets
PFAS Alternative Use-Cases
When considering the use of an alternative, non-PFAS, chemical in an application in which PFAS is currently used, it is very important to focus on a particular use-case or set of use-cases. Based on experience to date, there is no alternative that can replace a PFAS chemical in all of its use-cases – and this concept applies on a per-article-type basis.
For example, it may be feasible to replace PTFE cable ties used inside controllers, with lower ambient temperatures, with cable ties made from nylon. However, it is probably not feasible to use nylon cable ties to replace PTFE cable ties being used to secure wires inside a low-pressure process chamber.
Other PFAS Materials
As noted in the articles figure above, heat transfer fluids, fluorinated greenhouse gases, and lubricants can be PFAS. PFAS can also be ozone depleting substances.
FGases / GHGs
Certain fluorinated greenhouse gases (sometimes called “F-gases” or “GHGs”) are also in scope of regulations focused on the gas’s global warming potential such as the European F-gas regulation (Regulation 517/2014 – soon to be replaced, number TBD) or the United States AIM Act. It is possible that the F-gas-focused regulations have more relaxed restrictions than relevant PFAS-focused regulations.
HTFs
Some heat transfer fluids, particularly polyfluoro polyethers (PFPEs) are PFAS. One example is CAS No. 69991-67-9, “1-Propene,1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-, oxidized, polymerized” which is sold under the trade name of “Galden HT-55” and “Fomblin Y”. There are many other PFPEs.
Lubricants
Some lubricants are PFAS. They can be PFAS because fluoropolymers (which are solid at use temperatures) are present as micro-powders, such as PTFE, in the lubricant mixture, or because liquid PFAS are present in the lubricant mixture as some perfluoro polyethers or polyfluoro polyethers (both use the acronym PFPEs). Some micropowder PTFE based lubricant trade names are 3-In-One and WD-40. PFPE based lubricants include MolyKote HP-300 grease, and Fomblin M/Z oils. Some lubricants combine these two technologies, such as Krytox EG (electrical grade) 2000.
ODSs
Some of the PFAS substances (such as chlorotriflouromethane – CF3Cl) are also regulated as ozone depleting substances (ODSs), and are in scope of regulations focused on ODS concerns such as the EU’s ODS regulation (Regulation 1005/2009 – soon to be replaced, number TBD). This is an example of where the details of PFAS definition matter. Because chlorotrifluoromethane has a Cl attached to the same carbon as the fluorine, it would not be in scope of the EU’s proposed general PFAS restriction, but it would be in scope of the state of Maine’s PFAS definition (see PFAS Definitions, above).
CHEMICAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
When investigating the presence of PFAS in chemicals (also known as substances or mixtures) in containers, or presence of PFAS at the very early stages of an article’s supply chain, such as blocks of polypropylene, Safety data sheets (SDSs) are usually relied upon as the source of information. The SDS for a fluoropolymer could indicate “>99% PTFE” which is clearly >99% PFAS.
A caveat is that the SDS might not indicate PFAS process residues or additives also present, but at ppb level concentrations. This is because, up until recent years, most PFAS have not been considered hazardous – or have any other characteristic for which applicable SDS regulations would require disclosure. Or, if they were designated hazardous, they were not present in a quantity that required disclosure. The same is true for fluoroelastomers which are mainly one type of PFAS but can contain other PFAS at ppb levels unreported in an SDS.
Please note: SEMI makes no warranties or representation to the accuracy or usefulness of the information contained on this webpage. Accuracy is solely the responsibility of the user. Users are cautioned to refer to other relevant literature of the subject matter herein. This information is subject to change without notice. This "explainer" was developed by members of the SEMI PFAS Working Group. Please send suggestions for improvement to ehs@semi.org