Technical Articles From John Deere Electronic Solutions

PWB Contamination & Reliability DOE

Apr 25, 2023 | Michael R. Weekes

This report hopes to achieve several goals: 1. Determine the link between bare PWB contamination, soldered assembly contamination and long-term product reliability. 2. Establish measurable limits for bare PWB cleanliness as well as process control limits for both an aqueous as well as a water-soluble soldering process. 3. Determine whether there is any correlation between common, industry-accepted rose/modified rose (omegameter/ionograph type) testing and long term product reliability. 4. Determine the effect PWB plating finish (HASL, Immersion Silver and Cu OSP) has on both bare PWB contamination as well as soldered assembly in a no clean and water soluble process. 5. Determine whether there is a link between percentage of saponifier used to wash soldered assemblies and long-term reliability. 6. Establish a more cost-effective test for manufacturers to use as a process-monitoring tool.