PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) cleaning is the key process in electronics manufacturing, the main purpose to remove welding residue, flux, dust, grease, etc. to ensure the reliability and performance of the circuit board, reduce component corrosion, meet customer’s clean standard.
The cleaning method including solvent cleaning, aqueous cleaning, vapor phase cleaning. What they are difference?
1. Solvent cleaning
It has ultrasonic cleaning and spray cleaning that uses chemical solvents to remove contaminants like grease, flux residue, dust, etc.
Ultrasonic cleaning is using ultrasonic vibration and solvent to remove contaminants, suitable for complex PCBA.
Spray cleaning is using high pressure solvent to spray the printed circuit board assembly, suitable for large batch production.
Common solvents have isopropyl alcohol, acetone, ethanol, or specialized electronic cleaners. It requires proper ventilation and handling due to flammability and safety concerns.
Solvent cleaning is widely used in electronics manufacturing, precision engineering, medical device, automotive electronics and other industries that require high cleanliness.
2. Aqueous Cleaning
It is a method of cleaning that uses water-based solutions, often combined with detergents or surfactants to remove contaminants of PCBA surfaces or precision components. It is widely used industries such as electronics manufacturing, aerospace and defense, telecommunication like 5G infrastructure, networking equipment and other industries.
Compared to solvent-based cleaning methods, water-based solution uses deionized water mixed with cleaning agents to avoid mineral deposits. Non-flammable and safer to handle. Reduces the use of hazardous chemicals and voltile organic compounds, environmental friendly compliant with RoHS, REACH. Suitable for cleaning under components and in tight spaces, effective for complex assemblies.
3. Vapor phase cleaning
It is a highly effective method of cleaning that uses solvent vapors to remove contaminants. A specialized solvent like fluorinated or hydrocarbon-based are heated in a sealed chamber until it vaporizes. The solvent vapors rise and condense on the cooler surfaces of the parts being cleaned, dissolving contaminants. Then rinsingcondensed solvent flows off the parts, carring away the dissolved contaminants. Excellent for removing stubborn contaminants like flux residues and greases.
Compared to some solvent-based methods, environmentally friendly due to closed-loop systems.
High cost for vapor phase cleaning machines, expensive specialized solvents.
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