What is PCB Cleaning & Material Compatibility?
Understanding material sensitivities
Common stress points:
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aluminum and magnesium can etch in alkaline or acidic baths;
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elastomers, connectors, and certain plastics can swell or soften with solvents;
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conformal coatings and adhesives may delaminate or yellow under aggressive chemistries.
Compile a bill of materials before selecting a cleaner.
Testing for compatibility
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perform coupon testing under worst-case temperature and concentration exposures;
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inspect for color change, gloss loss, dimensional change, and mechanical properties;
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use accelerated aging to assess long-term effects.
ZESTRON provides compatibility matrices and on-site testing to validate chemistry choices.