Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ?

Subscribe to Thread

Can we use Trichloroethylene (TCE) for cleaning flux on PCB ... - Oct 11, 2011 by Babitha

Can you use trichloroethylene to clean boards? Yes Shoul... - Oct 11, 2011 by davef

Davef is correct that's some nasty stuff. It was used somewh... - Oct 11, 2011 by KaHrpr

There are aerosol spray on flux removers that contain Trichl... - Oct 11, 2011 by SheanDalton

My requirement is to clean flux from PCB after soldering. I ... - Oct 12, 2011 by Babitha

Babitha

#65203

Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ? | 11 October, 2011

Can we use Trichloroethylene (TCE) for cleaning flux on PCB assembly ?

reply »

davef

#65204

Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ? | 11 October, 2011

Can you use trichloroethylene to clean boards? Yes

Should you use trichloroethylene to clean boards? NO!!! Don't use trike. It is an environmental and a personnel health hazard.

What are you looking to clean from your boards?

reply »

KaHrpr

#65212

Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ? | 11 October, 2011

Davef is correct that's some nasty stuff. It was used somewhat in the 80s maybe the 90s it can clean a board however its total over kill for cleaning and it can harm you. I worked in a shop back in the 80s in the vapor degreeser days. and they used some Triclor and some of the workers got exposed the broke out in a really bad rash like poison ivy and were sick for about a week.

reply »

SheanDalton

#65213

Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ? | 11 October, 2011

There are aerosol spray on flux removers that contain Trichloroethylene. There are also many other flux removers on the market. Recommend you explore more options.

To help get an answer quickly, you can contact Zestron, Kyzen, Petroferm, etc; and, ask for their help to explore alternative aqueous, semi-aqueous and solvent cleaners. Then, decide which is best for you, your company and your community.

If I can help more, contact me. Background links and information follow:

American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists' short-term exposure limit; 15-min time-weighted-average exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday even if the 8-h time-weighted-average is within the threshold limit value.

Trike is a category 2 carcinogen (may cause cancer).

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/tri-ethy.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/79016.html

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/eis34.pdf

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis/Documents/tce.pdf

Shean Dalton

reply »

Babitha

#65215

Is Trichloroethylene recommended for PCB assembly cleaning ? | 12 October, 2011

My requirement is to clean flux from PCB after soldering. I found information that TCE is harmful to enviroment and human health.

But my doubt is is it harmful to electronic components in any way. Does it cause failure of electronic components ?