Why IPA is a Bad Choice

The cons to IPA.”
–Andreas Dorn

Q: Does IPA cause damage to plastic components?

A: Yes, IPA can degrade certain plastics and rubber components over time, causing brittleness, cracking or discoloration.

Q: Can IPA cause corrosion on electronic components?

A: While IPA itself is not highly corrosive, it can displace moisture, which, if not properly dried, may lead to oxidation or corrosion on exposed metal contacts.

Q: Is IPA effective at removing flux from soldering?

A: IPA can dissolve some types of flux, but it may not completely remove rosin-based or no-clean fluxes, often requiring additional cleaning steps.

Q: Does IPA evaporate too quickly for proper cleaning?

A: Yes, it’s fast evaporation rate can sometimes cause residues to redeposit before they can be wiped away, leading to ineffective cleaning.