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Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner

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We recently discovered that the flux thinner we were buying ... - Nov 12, 2007 by sueph

Here are the scenarios: *No-Clean Flux & Foam Fluxer: al... - Nov 12, 2007 by Dirk Nuendyke

Sorry, should have said the type of flux we use. It's Kester... - Nov 12, 2007 by sueph

WE discontinued using the thinners about 13 years ago, we ha... - Nov 12, 2007 by RDR

A supervisor here is concerned that if we quit using thinner... - Nov 12, 2007 by sueph

That's when you give that "Supervisor" a tall glass of SHUT ... - Nov 12, 2007 by Samir Nagheenanajar

LOL, Samir, you are a riot! ... - Nov 13, 2007 by Dirk Nuendyke

We have been using IPA for about four years with no prob... - Nov 13, 2007 by jeffharley

sueph

#52476

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

We recently discovered that the flux thinner we were buying was mostly isopropyl alcohol. What would the consequences be of just using isopropyl for thinner?

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Dirk Nuendyke

#52478

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

Here are the scenarios:

*No-Clean Flux & Foam Fluxer: alcohol is used as a thinner (for titration purposes) if your flux is alcohol-based

*No-Clean Flux & Spray Fluxer: alchol is used only as a cleaning agent for your sprayhead.

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sueph

#52481

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

Sorry, should have said the type of flux we use. It's Kester 186 RMA flux. Does that make a difference?

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RDR

#52482

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

WE discontinued using the thinners about 13 years ago, we have not used RMA flux however.

The "thinnners" supposedly have some solids content in them to keep A balance but I say B.S. and just use alcohol, we have never experienced any issues whatsoever.

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sueph

#52483

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

A supervisor here is concerned that if we quit using thinner to use alcohol and subsequently had soderability problems on a assembly, the customer could come back and say that it was due to the switch. I visited with someone in tech support at Kester. He said that the alcohol could break down the flux if it wasn't a good grade, but he got quite testy when I asked how long it took for the break down to take place.

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Samir Nagheenanajar

#52484

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 12 November, 2007

That's when you give that "Supervisor" a tall glass of SHUT THE F*CK UP. I betcha you regret even mentioning it to him. I'd have just made up some techno-babble and switched it regardless. Told him something like - "pure IPA will act as a catlyst to the carboxylic activators contained in the flux, thereby improving its ability to mitigate oxidation."

The flux mfgrs. do exactly just that. They sell you IPA (rubbing alcohol) and at a premium!

However, now that the perception is there in the Supervisor's eyes, that using pure IPA and not Kester's IPA is a detriment, he'll be quick to "spread the perception" the minute you get even 1 solder short that "never existed" before. Then you'll have to answer to people even DUMBER than the Supervisor (plant and/or quality manager)...

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Dirk Nuendyke

#52489

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 13 November, 2007

LOL, Samir, you are a riot!

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jeffharley

#52490

Using Isopropyl alcohol as flux thinner | 13 November, 2007

We have been using IPA for about four years with no problems. We are using it with Metalic Resorces ws710 flux. At quite a cost savings I might add.

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