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SMD Moisture Sensitive Devices - Baking using vacuum-bake oven - seeking clarification

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#83671

SMD Moisture Sensitive Devices - Baking using vacuum-bake oven - seeking clarification | 31 October, 2019

Hello, I have searched the forums for this specific topic, but can not find the clarification I would like.

I am setting up a baking system to "reset" SMD components using a vacuum-bake oven. According to the JEDEC-STD-033 standard, depending on the thickness of the component, the bake time will vary. I am interested in setting a vacuum-bake oven to 40°C and %RH<5%. I have already learned I can't use a standard non-vacuum oven, because the %RH still hovers around 20%, depending on the environmental conditions. So, I will use a vacuum oven because I know the chamber will be less than 5%RH (I tested it out).

In another very old thread on this forum, a forum member wrote," OVEN + VACUUM By using an oven with vacuum, you can dry-off relays by setting temperature at 45-50C , and a not so high vacuum level ( ie. 350 mmHg can be enough, more vacuum value could damage the Carrier Tape and component leads) for about 12-24 hours. In this case no matter about plastic material (Carrier Tape and Reel)" I am not using a relay, but transistors and tantalum caps.

Questions: I realize the above was a general statement, because bake times depend on component thickness. However, does a vacuum bake decrease the overall bake time, even though the %RH is <5%, i.e. the JEDEC-STD-033 doesn't mention anything about the type of oven to use, but I am assuming that <5%RH doesn't matter whether it was obtained using a standard oven or vacuum oven. You just need to be under 5%RH and then bake at the times indicated in table 4-1.

1) Does using a vacuum bake enable me to reduce the bake time, (40°C, and <5% RH) or does it remain according to the bake times in the JEDEC-STD-033A? If so, then what's a R.O.T to reduce the bake time?

2) Is there a maximum vacuum that should be used to prevent damaging components or reel or lamination? Thank you for your consideration. John

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#83672

SMD Moisture Sensitive Devices - Baking using vacuum-bake oven - seeking clarification | 31 October, 2019

SEE ABOVE

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#83673

SMD Moisture Sensitive Devices - Baking using vacuum-bake oven - seeking clarification | 31 October, 2019

Sorry I can't really answer any of your questions, but I'm curious about your idea. I've done vacuum drying of implantable medical components (made mostly of a proprietary bio-absorbable composition) but never electronic components.

You're right to be concerned about your vacuum level being such that it might cause the same problems that rapid heating (as in reflow) causes, i.e., popcorning. I would bank on it being a problem *at some level* but I've never seen anything on the subject elsewhere. You should be concerned both about the vacuum level and the rate of decrease, I would imagine.

That said, are you planning on backfilling with nitrogen to maintain the proper vacuum level and allow moisture to escape? If you do it will keep the RH down quite a bit.

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#83674

SMD Moisture Sensitive Devices - Baking using vacuum-bake oven - seeking clarification | 1 November, 2019

At this point, I do not plan to back-fill with nitrogen. I have confirmed that vacuum baking, with the temperature set to 40°C, will result in the chamber %RH being less than 5%.

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