New Ultrasonic Cleaner
- Thread starter WOPL Sniffer
- Start date
I just tried to clean some PCB's and I guess I need to find a solution to assist in getting the flux off. Just water and a half teaspoon of Dawn may have worked for the greasy and dirty 100 year old sewing machine parts but it didn't get the boards quite clean enough. Back in the day, like everybody else, we used things that were not only toxic for the body, they were toxic for the environment. The Navy had us use a substance in our ultrasonic machines which worked SO WELL, we should have known it was not good for body or earth... This is what we used.....
Trichlorotrifluoroethane is a clear, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It was banned from use as a chlorofluorocarbon for its ozone-layer destroying properties. Trichlorotrifluoroethane was primarily used as a dry cleaning solvent. It was also used as a refrigerant.
Obviously I don't wan't to use anything like that but it took the old flux right off. I see some ho-made solutions but I don't like some of the ingredients so I will keep looking. Some of the "stuff" they are using are expensive so time for some research.
Trichlorotrifluoroethane is a clear, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It was banned from use as a chlorofluorocarbon for its ozone-layer destroying properties. Trichlorotrifluoroethane was primarily used as a dry cleaning solvent. It was also used as a refrigerant.
Obviously I don't wan't to use anything like that but it took the old flux right off. I see some ho-made solutions but I don't like some of the ingredients so I will keep looking. Some of the "stuff" they are using are expensive so time for some research.
‘Sniff, if you have a junk board, try a wash with Brakleen. In the red can, not the green can.
That’s a chlorinated solvent. May attack some plastic but safe for rubber and destroys grease n stuff.
More expensive option is also Trichlorethane (no florine) sold to watchmakers as “one dip”. That works awesome.
That’s a chlorinated solvent. May attack some plastic but safe for rubber and destroys grease n stuff.
More expensive option is also Trichlorethane (no florine) sold to watchmakers as “one dip”. That works awesome.
Trichlorethane is a known carcinogen that causes upper respiratory failure. Look it up. We used to use it at work. You're right, it is an excellent cleaner. Used to get it in 55 gallon cans and used it to clean the radiators on our transformers at power plants. Then when we found out what it caused it was disposed of by the hazmat people. I think its use has been banned since the mid 90's due to the human risks and it also contributes to ozone depletion.
Did you NOT read that the Ultasonic Cleaner holds 30 Liters???? I have a method of cleaning with CHEMICALS and I'm trying to get away from them...... Why replace one chemical with another? I'm looking at biodegradable options NOT rot my liver options..... My liver damage will be from other things and not brakleen.
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CLR would probably work but it’s a dilute acid so you’d want to neutralize it. Baking soda solution followed by distilled water rinse. Get the water to 140F and it’ll flash dry.
Again: test on junk board.
Tree hugger approved.
I’ve soaked antique drum hardware overnight in full strength stuff and then rinsed with water; followed by brasso on the shiny stuff and then sealed with carnauba wax. Once and for all. Stuff I did ten years ago still looks great.
Otherwise I think you’ll have to break down and buy the overpriced ultrasonic solution made for the task. But at least it’s not watch oil: $35.00 for two ounces...
Again: test on junk board.
Tree hugger approved.
I’ve soaked antique drum hardware overnight in full strength stuff and then rinsed with water; followed by brasso on the shiny stuff and then sealed with carnauba wax. Once and for all. Stuff I did ten years ago still looks great.
Otherwise I think you’ll have to break down and buy the overpriced ultrasonic solution made for the task. But at least it’s not watch oil: $35.00 for two ounces...