Publications Details
Non-CFC cleaning of printed wiring boards
Recent government actions to eliminate Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (CHCs) from the industrial environment require the evaluation of new cleaning solvents and processes. High reliability printed wiring board (PWB) assemblies require cleaning to remove process materials which could lead to corrosion or degradation of the electrical performance of the boards. In the past, CFCs have been used extensively for PWB cleaning purposes. Concerns about CFC emissions and their effect on ozone depletion in the atmosphere, greater demands on cleaning systems, and the availability of alternative cleaning methods are requiring manufacturers of electronic assemblies to reconsider the choice of cleaning methods. We will review some of the presently available cleaning solvents and discuss the results of our work using a terpene-based cleaner. 5 refs., 4 figs.