Cleaning OA flux with vapor degreaser

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Hello SMTnetters We have a unique application requiring c... - Mar 09, 2010 by Jim Z

Resistivity Of Solvent Extract [ROSE] is a bulk ion contamin... - Mar 09, 2010 by davef

Jim Z

#61328

Cleaning OA flux with vapor degreaser | 9 March, 2010

Hello SMTnetters

We have a unique application requiring cleaning of an aggressive OA flux. A vapor degreasing process or the immersion of the parts in boiling solvents has some process advantages over an ultrasonic aqueous process. These advantages are not related to the actual cleaning of the part but rather as relates to a unique process.

The vapor solvents we tested with and passed ROSE testing with are Dupont SFR and SDG solvents. Does anyone have any experience in cleaning with these solvents when using an aggressive OA flux? Is the ROSE testing alone an adequate test? Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance

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davef

#61329

Cleaning OA flux with vapor degreaser | 9 March, 2010

Resistivity Of Solvent Extract [ROSE] is a bulk ion contamination [BIC] test method. It should thought of as a process control tool used to assess ionic contaminants. Don't consider it an acceptable tool for establishing 'GO-NOGO' limits.

The standards used with BIC testers were all developed based on the materials properties of rosin fluxes in the early 1970s. While the newer flux technologies are based on very low levels of rosin or resin, the chemicals and their properties are different than those older materials.

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