Choosing the appropriate cleaning agent for a stencil cleaning machine has always been a point of confusion for many. Today, I’ll explain six points to help you select a suitable cleaning agent for your stencil cleaning machine. With so many stencil cleaning agent products on the market, how do you make the right choice? Here are the six points stencil cleaning agents should meet:
- Safety of Stencil Cleaning Agent: The stencil cleaning agent should provide corresponding ROHS reports and hazard statements, strictly avoiding the use of substances containing irritants such as benzene, xylene, formaldehyde, and paraformaldehyde. These substances can cause burning or stinging sensations in the eyes and nose, itching, burning, and heat sensations on the skin, and irritation to mucous membranes and the respiratory tract. It is essential to adhere to industry standards for electronic cleaning agents.
- Cleaning Effectiveness of Stencil Cleaning Agent: Cleaning effectiveness refers to the ability of the cleaning agent to remove contaminants. Stencil cleaning is a timed process, so it is crucial to observe the cleaning effectiveness within a short period. When selecting a cleaning agent, perform small-scale cleaning tests and carefully observe the cleaning results. Typically, after stencil cleaning, there should be no residual odors or traces left behind.
- Stability of Stencil Cleaning Agent: As a product used indoors and outdoors, stencil cleaning agents must meet typical environmental conditions. Therefore, stability is a fundamental requirement. The stability range should be between -40°C to 60°C. Place a small amount of the cleaning agent in a beaker and store it in an oven and a refrigerator. After returning it to room temperature, observe whether its appearance and odor are generally consistent with before.
- Appearance and Odor of Stencil Cleaning Agent: For water-based cleaning agents, there should be no suspended solids or sedimentation, and the appearance should be uniform across the same product category. Spraying should not produce foam, and the product’s surface should have labels detailing its physical and chemical parameters, safety levels, and other characteristics. Check for any pungent odors like benzene, kerosene, fishy smell, spiciness, gasoline, or foul odor, which may cause discomfort. Ensure that such odors are not permitted during manual operations by domestic regulations.
- Flash Point of Stencil Cleaning Agent: Determine whether the cleaning agent has a flash point, as it is the most intuitive criterion for determining flammability and explosiveness.
- pH Value of Stencil Cleaning Agent: At normal room temperature, use litmus paper or a pH meter to measure the pH value of the cleaning agent. The measurement should be performed on the original solution of the cleaning agent and not on any diluted solutions. German engineers from the SMT Association insist on using neutral pH cleaning agents for stencil cleaning because neutral agents are less likely to affect the acidity of solder paste after cleaning.
These are the key considerations for selecting a stencil cleaning agent. Of course, it’s also essential to consider which type of stencil cleaning machine you are using. There may be some differences in the stencil cleaning agents used for pneumatic stencil cleaning machines and electric stencil cleaning machines offered by Silman Tech. If you have any questions about what cleaning agent to use for your stencil cleaning machine, feel free to consult Silman Tech’s online customer service for more information.
