Cable cleaning solvents: their use and evaluation

1,1,1 trichloroethane has been designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a substance that may damage the stratospheric ozone layer, and it will be banned from production in the US by December 31, 1995. For these reasons, alternate solvents that are effective as cable cleaners have been evaluated, and continue to be evaluated by cable, solvent and accessory manufacturers. In addition to the earlier criteria used in evaluating alternates to 1,1,1 trichloroethane, this study points out other important performance properties of potential alternates that should be considered. These properties include personal hygiene and safety, environmental waste classification, cleaning effectiveness, evaporation rate and solvent residues, economics, and ease of handling use.<>