The main goal of this project is to demonstrate/validate a non-aqueous low-VOC and HAP-free cleaners to meet the new environmental regulations in California (Rule 1171).    

P-D-680 (A-A-59601) is a petroleum-based solvent, which contains hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and causes health and environmental concerns.  Its successor, MIL-PRF-680, is also a petroleum-based solvent which contains the same amount of VOC as P-D-680 but does not contain HAPs.  Solvent emissions are regulated regionally and locally, with the Air Pollution Control Districts in California implementing the most stringent requirements.  The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) has recently imposed restrictions limiting the use of solvents with VOC content to no greater than 25 grams per liter for immersion cleaning processes unless the solvent is used in an airtight cleaning system.

The requirements for the alternative cleaners include the following properties: non-ozone depleting substances (non-ODS), HAP-free, low-VOC (25 g/L or less), effective cleaning efficiency, non-toxic, compatible with metals and non-metal substrates, and safe to use.  The selected products for the field test have met the testing requirements of the proposed specification MIL-PRF-32295 specification Type I (Cleaner, Non-Aqueous, Low-VOC, HAP-Free) with the exception of the storage stability testing (in progress).  The new specification consists of two types; Type I is intended for cleaning light soils such as oils and hydraulic fluids, and Type II is intended for cleaning heavy soils such as greases and carbon residues.  To validate the effectiveness of the selected products, the field test will be conducted to clean different weapon systems at several DoD testing sites during the next few months.