Author Topic: Difference between denatured ethanol and Isopropyl to clean IC Rosin Residue?  (Read 2032 times)

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Offline martysTopic starter

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I have salvaged some ic's using Ersin Rosin core solder but now the residue completely obscures the  parts number on the unsoldered ICs. I tried mixing denatured ethanol or methanol with acetone but still can't see the part number etched on the ic's (They were clearly visible before desoldering) .

Does isopropyl alcohol work much better?
 

Offline Fsck

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did you use mechanical action to clean? flux is pretty sticky and often times you need to scrub it to fully dissolve.
shouldn't be a huge difference between ethanol and isopropanol. I've never used methanol or acetone myself for cleaning flux.
"This is a one line proof...if we start sufficiently far to the left."
 
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Offline martysTopic starter

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Thanks, but I have scrubbed hard with the solvents mentioned using Q-tips.
 

Online Ian.M

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If they were old-style paint/ink marked ICs, your agressive solvent mixture has probably totally stripped the markings.

Assuming modern ICs, you've probably scrubbed the brown burnt epoxy residue out of the microscopic pits left by the laser marking, so reducing the contrast till the markings are virtually invisible.   If so, try applying a dot from a light coloured or metallic paint marker and smearing it over the top of the IC with your fingertip, then wiping off the excess with cartridge paper moistened with WD40.   Done with care, some paint residue will remain in the microscopic pits and improve the contrast.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 04:59:56 pm by Ian.M »
 
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Offline martysTopic starter

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Thanks, Ian.M, they are modern ICs.

Unfortunately, I've had my metal pain marker taken away from me. (I still have a few pleasure markers left.)

What in the world is cartridge paper? Is it something to make your own bullets?
« Last Edit: March 30, 2018, 04:09:00 pm by martys »
 

Offline SeanB

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Cartridge paper is simply the slightly thicker paper towel like you get in a large roll at the garage, used to wipe down things there. More robust than the good old single ply toilet paper that is typically used for this.
 
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Online Ian.M

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Not quite.  Cartridge paper is basically thick good quality art paper.  It has a slightly rough surface, and is generally free from surface coatings and sizings.
Cut up a strong envelope and use a slip of paper from that without creasing or folding it.   You specifically want something much stiffer and harder than tissue or paper towel, without loose surface fibres, so it doesn't dig into the paint in the laser marking pits so much, but with enough surface texture that it readily picks up the paint off the flat surface of the rest of the top of the chip.

I tested the procedure I described with a PIC16F88-I/P that had been sitting in a breadboard for a long time and had very indistinct markings, and a genuine Sharpie Silver Metallic Fine Point Permanent Marker.  The PIC now has clearer markings than when it was factory fresh.   
 
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Offline martysTopic starter

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Thanks again Ian.M,

I will certainly try that metallic marker idea. Unfortunately, because of the holidays, there isn't a slightest chance to find a store open to buy one until tomorrow.
 

Offline igendel

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What in the world is cartridge paper? Is it something to make your own bullets?

Well, I had to check, and according to Wikipedia this is indeed what the original Cartridge paper was used for!  :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_cartridge
Maker projects, tutorials etc. on my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/idogendel/
 

Offline daedalux

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Ethanol is cheap and will work most times, it's not such a strong solvent. Suitable for non critical work.
Acetone will disolve lots of plastics and masks. Don't use it ever. If you are at it the circuit will have more chances of surviving with soap and water. You have the same problem with zero residue contact cleaner that is usually quite strong too.
Isopropanol is usually considered the good stuff and what is in any single user wipes used for electrical purposes. You can get a very pure one that is usually the cleanest cleaning solvent available. It's very volatile and smelly.
 

Offline I_Code_4_Hugs

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FWIW, the MG Chemicals 4140 flux remover is a mix of 94% ethanol, 5% isopropanol, and 1.5% ethyl actetate:

https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-4140-l.pdf

The "heavy duty" 413b version is 63% ethyl acetate, 25% acetone, and 12% isopropanol:

https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-413b-l.pdf

 


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