Why assembly cleaning is essential?
The true extent of our reliance on technology becomes apparent only when it malfunctions. This dependence is especially pronounced in critical areas where technological failures can have severe consequences, such as significant financial implications or risks to people's health and even survival.
Areas of application A MUST in Many Industries
The significance of assembly cleaning cannot be overstated, particularly in high-end industries. Although "NoClean" production has found success in many low-end sectors, the high-end sector still demands the highest level of reliability. Whether it's the automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, or military sectors, the technology deployed must function flawlessly.
Assembly cleaningHow does board cleaning work and what is ZESTRON's contribution?
The cleaning of assembled printed circuit boards (PCB cleaning) is particularly concerned with the removal of resin and flux residues or the removal of production-related handling residues.
For this purpose, ZESTRON is dedicated to continuous research in order to discover new cleaning methods and has a longstanding track record of developing tailored solutions to meet every specific requirement. Our approach is characterized by individuality, comprehensiveness, and unwavering reliability.
REQUIREMENT Why is assembly cleaning necessary?
The precise application of an assembly cleaner plays a vital role in determining the success of subsequent process steps, such as bonding or protective lacquering. Failure to effectively remove resin and activator residues from PCBs can have adverse effects, including compromised bond adhesion and resulting defects such as heel cracks or lift-offs.
The presence of residues can lead to inadequate wetting of coatings or even cause the protective lacquer to peel off. These issues can ultimately lead to malfunctions or field failures, which makes it important to emphasize on thorough cleaning to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
CLEANING OF ASSEMBLIESWide Variety of Products and Applications
The module cleaners developed by ZESTRON are well-equipped to counter a wide range of challenges - such as the use of lead-free solder pastes, where there is a higher risk due to an increased resin content and more aggressive activator systems.
TYPES OF CLEANERS
Various types of cleaners are available for cleaning both lead-free and lead-containing assemblies:
FLEXIBLE APPLICATION, NO FLASH POINTAqueous Cleaning
Aqueous assembly cleaners are characterised by their very wide process window, which allows the removal of all kinds of resin and flux residues from lead-free or lead-containing NoClean solder pastes.
They can be used flexibly in a wide variety of cleaning processes.
One advantage of aqueous cleaning is a flashpoint-free process, which contributes significantly to work safety and storage, as well as high environmental compatibility due to the very low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content.
LONG BATH LIFESemi-aqueous Cleaning
Semi-aqueous cleaning processes are characterised by a high broadband capability, allowing all types of flux residues to be removed from lead-free or lead-containing NoClean solder pastes.
Typically, these processes do not use conventional alcohols, but modern solvents that are organically formulated and therefore free of halogens. These types of solvent cleaners have a very high bath loading capacity and thus allow very long bath lifetimes. Due to their surfactant-free formulation, they offers excellent rinsability by demineralised water.
FAST AND RESIDUE-FREE DRYING Water-free Cleaning
Modern solvent cleaners are used as cleaning chemicals. These are characterised above all by their broad formulation. Due to the polar and non-polar components in the cleaner, a wide variety of flux residues can be removed from lead-free or lead-containing NoClean solder pastes. Furthermore, these solvent cleaners can be uniformly distilled, enabling their use in cleaning machines with steam rinsing. Due to their surfactant-free formulation, they dry quickly and without leaving residues.
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