[R-390] DeOxit source

[Tisha Hayes]

I can think of a few "zero residue" fluids that vaporize off completely like
"1,1,2-Trichloroethene". We used that in electronics manufacturing as a flux
remover in a boiling bath solution, then a rinse tank and finally as a
condensate (precipitate) as the parts tray was slowly lifted up and through
the temperature inversion layer where the last of the solvent would
evaporate off and settle back down into the tank.

The downside is that 1,1,2-Trichloroethene is a gigantic ozone depleting
chemical, very bad contaminant if dumped onto the ground (hits the water
table and stays there for decades) and is reactive with certain metals. Also
it tends to unwind polyester capacitors or the yellow tape wrapping on small
transformers.

With our "greener days" you need something that has a strong solvent action
with the ability to flush contaminants off and then for it to evaporates,
leaving little or no residues.

One of natures most perfect solvents is water. You can spike it with
surfactants, detergents and buffers (a.k.a. Simple Green like compounds).
You still need to agitate it a bit with a brush, scrubby or ultrasonic tank
and you need to repeatedly rinse, almost to the point where you are using
distilled, deionized water. Then you need to let the water solvent evaporate
(a.k.a. dry). Through natural means or in a low temperature convection oven
or under an infrared light.

With any cleaning method, if you do not use enough cleaning solution you
will leave residues. Some that will make the situation worse than what you
started with.

I am always willing to look at other cleaning systems but I steer clear of
unsubstantiated claims that amount to F.U.D. (fear, uncertainty, doubt). Now
if there was an unbiased study done by a third party that shows "cleaning
solution x" is better than DeOxIt I would like to see it. Until then,
competing claims are just F.U.D.

-- 
Ms. Tisha Hayes/ AA4HA
-
Optimist: *The glass is half full.*
Pessimist: *The glass is half empty.*
Engineer: *The glass is not sized correctly AND we need a backup system.*