PCB flux residue

[alanworland]

Using normal rosin based lead solder leaves a residue on a PCB and while I know this in itself is non corrosive I would like to remove it.
A previous Company I worked for used carbon tetrachloride in a vapour dip which did an efficient job but has been banned/unavailable for many years.
Is there a recommendation for a home workshop product? Not looking to submerge the item merely to wash residue from around solder joints.

Alan

[ppppenguin]

That must have been a few years ago. Carbon Tet was more or les banned as a carcinogen a long time ago. In the late 1970s, early 1980s my employer used 1:1:1 trichloroethane, aka "Trike" for washing PCBs. Now banned under the Montreal Protocols. I believe all modern production line cleaning is water based. Cheaper and cleaner.

IPA (isopropanol, propan-2-ol, isopropyl alchohol) works pretty well and is readily available.

[alanworland]

Trike! I'd forgotten about that, many 'things' used to go in the Trike Tank for cleaning, thinking engine parts here - did a wonderful job!
Will give the IPA a go.

Alan

[Nick]

Second vote for ipa with a cotton bud. You can buy it on eBay in decent dispensing bottles cheaply.

Word of warning: do not use in a confined space - it can give you absolutely blinding headaches if fumes inhaled. Well ventilated spaces only...

[Craig]

In the late 1970s, early 1980s my employer used 1:1:1 trichloroethane, aka "Trike" for washing PCBs. Now banned under the Montreal Protocols.

1,1,1-trichloroethane is indeed banned as an ozone depletant. But Trike is trichloroethylene and is not banned. Apart from use as a solvent, Trike is also an anaethetic - so ventilation when using is a must.

Craig

[ppppenguin]

Any idea what the active solvent is in this method: https://hackaday.com/2011/06/07/cleaning...-easy-way/

A discussion here: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/suggestion...l-alcohol/

More notes on the subject: https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/c...586d8e25b2

There are plenty of commercially available flux removers. Here's one more or less at random: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder-flu...s/0283252/

If you're using flux which isn't corrosive I'd rather leave it as incomplete cleaning can cause more problems than it solves. I'm also lazy.

If you have an ultrasonic cleaning bath that should do a good job. Don't know if all components are OK with ultrasonics.

From the people who should know what they are talking about: https://www.electrolube.com/pdf/electrol...ochure.pdf

Overall conclusion: There are differing opinions on the subject. There is no one right answer.

[Nick]

I have some of the flux cleaner - I think it's called "Flux-Off" or similar. Problem is it's expensive and evaporates off the board very quickly, plus it can leave streaks.

Using that, then cleaning up the rest with IPA + cotton bud works fine.

[Crackle]

Doesn't meths dissolve flux.

Mike

[ppppenguin]

About as well as IPA does. But it has additives which might leave residues.

[Nick]

Problem with methylated spirits/denatured alcohol is that there's no standardised formula for it, except methyl and ethyl alcohol in some mix or other - then there's the colouring to warn drinkers off, plus whatever else people felt like chucking in.

With IPA you know what you've got.