cleaning NO clean

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aight... Ive read the SMT archives... Ive got issues,,, 25... - Sep 04, 2002 by jersbo

There are chemistries out there that will solublize some pos... - Sep 05, 2002 by PeteC

Cleaning result can vary from paste vendor to vendor and eve... - Sep 10, 2002 by Timothy O'Neill

Many times after initially cleaning in the solvents recommen... - Sep 10, 2002 by scottefiske

No-Clean fluxes are difficult to clean off boards. Cleaning ... - Sep 17, 2002 by

Thanks to everyone who posted! I did get the boards clean... - Sep 26, 2002 by jersbo

jersbo

#21416

cleaning NO clean | 4 September, 2002

aight... Ive read the SMT archives... Ive got issues,,, 25 boards WS boards with NC on them HOw do I clean them? Used Everkleen in Prewash and wash in a dishwasher , cleaned most of the NC flux off but I have residuals. especially on the fine pitch.. is there cleaner out there which will do the trick???

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PeteC

#21423

cleaning NO clean | 5 September, 2002

There are chemistries out there that will solublize some post-solder NC flux residues. I have had success with Zestron material Vigon A200 and Petroferm material Hydrex DX. Go to http://www.zestron.com and http://www.petroferm.com These are chemical solutions added to water, typically at a 10-20% concentration. As far as equipment, I was successful at cleaning Alpha UP78 NC paste post reflowed flux residues from under LCC SMT components with 3-4 Mil gaps (PCB surface to LCC bottom), as well as fine-pitch and standard SMT components with an Electrovert AquaStorm 200.

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Timothy O'Neill

#21480

cleaning NO clean | 10 September, 2002

Cleaning result can vary from paste vendor to vendor and even within product lines. You should check with your paste vendor for their recommendations. Your process, materials and equipment will also have a significant impact on your success. If you're using an AIM No Clean contact us, we can provide you with a cleaning matrix for our no clean products. Good luck! Tim

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scottefiske

#21482

cleaning NO clean | 10 September, 2002

Many times after initially cleaning in the solvents recommended by the paste/material manufacturer, a light white haze may still be visable...try using a soft bristle brush to remove the remaining residues. By this time the residues that remain will be benign and not considered harmful.

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Randy V

#21599

cleaning NO clean | 17 September, 2002

No-Clean fluxes are difficult to clean off boards. Cleaning effectivness depends on the washer, the chemistry, the flux type, number of reflows, and the time between reflow and washing. White residue is flux residues that have started to break down but were not completly removed. Fine pitched compoents are harder to clean basicaly becouse it is more dificult to reach the area between the leads. I have tried a number of chemistries to clean no-cleans and adhesive from boards and the best is Kyzen A4406E. There are some chemistries that are only designed for fluxes like Zestron A200 which do work well. Both require heating and require high pressure. Dishwashers are just not designed to clean boards and I would suggest purchasing a good board washer.

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jersbo

#21763

cleaning NO clean | 26 September, 2002

Thanks to everyone who posted!

I did get the boards clean and it worked well I used AIMTERGE 520A about 5% in HOT water.. I soaked for 10 minutes used a brush(handscrubber type)to loosen the residue. For the fine pitch I used a fine bristled small brush. I then immediately rinsed with HOT DI water from a sprayer for a about 1 minute. These boards ended up sitting for about 3 weeks before I cleaned them. It was nice that it worked, however as most others have concluded there doesnt seem to be any real easy way to clean no clean..

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