Where Do Solvents Fit in Electronics Assembly?

Q: Is Solvent cleaning safe?

A: It’s very safe when using the right precautions. When using any kind of chemistry, solvent or aqueous, or anything, we always recommend safety glasses if you’re going to come in contact with the chemistry itself. Gloves would also be wise. Respirators are typically not required or recommended, but it’s really up to your personal preference if that’s what you want to wear and use.

Q: Does Solvent Cleaning require any heat to use?

A: No, with the exception of the open-type solvent degreaser, they are all used at ambient or room temperature. They are designed to evaporate quickly in the air, so any heat will just evaporate away, and you’ll just lose it.

Q: How long will the Cleaning Solvent last?

A: It really depends on how much it loads with the benchtop applications and the spray that we refer to. They are used, and then they evaporate, and you would just replenish the bottles or get another can when needed. The understanding the wipe operation uses very little solvent in the machine itself. It wets the paper as it rolls over the bottom of the stencil. So you don’t use a lot there. And that’s one and done as well. For the open top solvent degreaser, there are methods where you can recover that solvent. The others are just kind of a one-time use.

Q: What do I do with the Solvent once its soil loaded?

A: This applies more to open-top solvent degreasers. Once the solvent is loaded, it will need to be drummed off and disposed of. Typically, the same company that would take your empty solder paste, containers, squeegees, or dross would assist. They also have the ability to remove or take the solvent away, But as I mentioned earlier, there are methods to recover the solvent through distillation processes that are available in the market now as well.