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There are four steps to successfully cleaning PCBs (printed circuit boards). Wet, scrub, rinse and dry. The wet, scrub and rinse operations are obvious. Wet the board with a pure cleaning fluid. Scrub it using a good quality scrubbing brush. Then rinse it off with more clean fluid.  However, the dry step is often overlooked…

The cleaning strength of a PCB cleaner is frequently measured using an industry benchmark called the Kauri Butanol (Kb) value. A higher Kb value is usually better and means the cleaner is more aggressive. But there are trade-offs. For instance, stronger solvents can have compatibility problems with plastics, coatings, inks and other components. So, smart…

PCBs (printed circuit boards) are subjected to many harsh environmental conditions. This includes extreme temperatures, strong chemicals, corrosive salts, dust and moisture. Therefore, encapsulating them with a protective conformal coating makes sense. Conformal coatings keep harmful elements from touching the delicate components and degrading the performance of the boards. However, for optimum PCB longevity, functionality…

MicroCare Has Better, Safer IPA Alternative CleanersDue to the COVID-19 outbreak, IPA for electronics cleaning is in very short supply. Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) alternative cleaners are in high demand.  It is becoming a are commodity since since everyone from the medical industry to electronics manufacturers is using IPA for cleaning. Many electronics manufacturers are experiencing…

Solder flux is a substance used to facilitate the soldering process by removing oxides and contaminants from surfaces, ensuring a strong and reliable bond between the solder and the components. While using solder flux is crucial for achieving high-quality soldering results, many overlook the importance of cleaning the flux residue afterward.In this article, we will…

Benchtop cleaning is an important step in the assembly of printed circuit boards. Whether it be during initial manufacture or during post-reflow assembly, it is critical that you properly clean PCBs before moving on to the next step in the manufacturing process. Before shipping brand-new or repaired circuit boards out the door, manufacturers need to…