Circuit board cleaning technology is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of electronic products. PCBs serve as the backbone for electronic components and circuit connections, widely used in various sectors such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, computers, automotive electronics, industrial control systems, medical equipment, defense technology, aerospace, and more. The development level of the PCB industry reflects a country or region’s pace and technological level in the electronics information technology industry.
Let’s first examine the advantages and disadvantages of solvent-based cleaning agents.
Organic solvent cleaning agents can be classified into flammable and non-flammable categories based on safety factors. Flammable types mainly include hydrocarbon, alcohol, and ester-based solvents, while non-flammable types include chlorinated and fluorinated hydrocarbons. Here are some key characteristics:
- HFC/HCFC: These contain hydrogenated fluorinated hydrocarbons. They evaporate quickly, resulting in faster drying of the PCB after cleaning. However, they are relatively expensive, have weak cleaning power, are not energy-efficient, and can damage the ozone layer, leading to potential future restrictions on their use.
- Chlorinated Hydrocarbons: These include substances like methylene chloride and trichloroethylene. They exhibit strong cleaning power against grease contaminants, are non-flammable, and considered safe to use. However, they have significant toxic effects, poor compatibility with plastics and rubber, and can corrode PCBs due to their poor stability.
- Hydrocarbons: These are carbon-hydrogen compounds such as gasoline and kerosene. They offer strong cleaning power against grease contaminants and have low interfacial tension, making them effective for cleaning PCB gaps. They are less corrosive to metals, have low toxicity, and are easy to use. However, their flammability poses safety hazards, necessitating strict safety precautions.
- Alcohols: Examples include methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. Alcohols dissolve polar contaminants effectively and are particularly useful for removing rosin flux residues. They are less corrosive to metals and plastics and dry quickly. However, they are highly volatile and flammable, posing safety risks during use.
To address the advantages and disadvantages of organic solvent cleaning, water-based cleaning agents have been developed. Water-based cleaning technology utilizes water as the cleaning medium and includes various additives such as surfactants, solvents, defoamers, and corrosion inhibitors to remove contaminants through dissolution, adsorption, and penetration mechanisms. When combined with professional PCB cleaning equipment like Silman Tech, water-based cleaning agents represent the future trend of PCB cleaning technology, symbolizing a shift towards safer, more reliable, and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions tailored to the specific needs of PCBs.
