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The phase-out of the last major ozone-depleting solvent, HCFC-225, is underway. HCFCs were a “transitional chemistry” to ease industry’s conversion from old-style ozone-depleting solvents to ozone-safe cleaners. Made by Asahi, HCFC-225 is marketed under names including “AK-225” and “AsahiKlean.”AK-225 is widely used as a carrier fluid, a defluxer, a metal degreaser, and to purge oxygen…

All of the “hazard” information about a chemical made in the USA is summarized in the NFPA ratings assigned to every product. (NFPA stands for National Fire Protection Agency.) An NFPA rating often is displayed in a diamond pattern and includes four codes, like this:“Health” means impact upon human health and well-being; a zero or…

Cleaning a wave solder machine -- or their surface mount cousins, giant SMT reflow ovens -- is a real pain. Most people use isopropyl alcohol for the job and it simply doesn't work very well.Here’s why: First, the insides of the machines become covered in spattered flux. Then those residues then get baked onto the…

Metal additive manufacturing, also known as metal 3D-printing is a process used to make fully-finished, machine-grade metal parts.  It is a viable alternative to more conventional large-scale production methods such as subtractive manufacturing or injection molding, and in some instances is eliminating the need for machining altogether.Ideal for producing parts with complex geometries, metal additive…

MIM, or Metal Injection Molding, is a metalworking process where finely-powdered metal is mixed with binder materials to create a 'feedstock' that is then formed and hardened using injection molding. The MIM process allows high volume, intricate parts to be shaped in a single step.Materials advances in MIM technology allow manufacturers to produce large quantities…