>The only reason for removing flux is purely cosmetic That isn't accurate. Even modern no-clean fluxes can cause corrosion and current leakage if left in place under certain conditions If leakage is a concern, you can specify a surface resistivity level and the boards can be ultrasonic washed or double DI washed to meet that criteria.
Eric KI7LTT On Sat, Jan 1, 2022, 11:16 AM Alan Bloom <n...@sonic.net> wrote: > Another problem with cleaning flux is ionic contamination. The > activator in the flux, which is necessary to get the solder to stick, is > acidic. As long as the flux is left alone, the ionic contamination is > trapped in the rosin where it can do no harm. But when you dissolve it > with alcohol or another solvent is is spread over the surface of the > board, unless you do a VERY thorough job of cleaning it off. That can > cause electrical leakage between circuit nodes and potentially corrosion. > > The only reason for removing flux is purely cosmetic. When I was at > HP/Agilent the rule in production and service was that any flux > remaining on the board due to re-work or repair was just left in place. > > Alan N1AL > > > On 1/1/2022 3:25 AM, CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft wrote: > > Ted > > If the residue is clear, don't bother, you might create more damage than > you realise (ESD). If the residue is brown, you've been using the wrong > solder. If you really feel the desire for aesthetics then you can can > brush it with IPA, but beware ESD if there are sensitive components on > board. Also beware some components can dissolve in some cleaners, eg old > style polystyrene capacitors. > > > > 73 and HNY > > David G3UNA > > > >> On 31 December 2021 at 20:52 eda...@aya.yale.edu wrote: > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Is there a consensus among builders of the traditional kits (K1, K2, > etc) > >> about the best way to remove solder flux from a completed circuit board? > >> Some Internet sites recommend acetone, others say isopropyl alcohol. A > few > >> tout their own product without saying exactly what it is. I remember > >> reading someplace that one or the other of those will clean the flux but > >> could also cause damage by being absorbed into components. Yes, I know > this > >> is all purely cosmetic but if it can be done safely I'd like to try it > on > >> the next kit. Suggestions? > >> > >> > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> > >> > >> Ted, KN1CBR > >> > >> > >> > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to d.cut...@ntlworld.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to a...@elecraft.com > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to garn...@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
