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Components dissolved/damaged by flux cleaners?
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seanspotatobusiness:
Isopropanol was not dissolving my flux to clean it from a PCB so I bought toluene which was much more effective. I know that it dissolves some plastics and my question is can anyone list components which they know would be dissolved/damaged by contact with toluene? I've heard isopropanol dissolves certain components too and I know acetone will also dissolve some plastics. I've also heard that isopropanol can draw water into components due to its hygroscopic nature.
Mick B:
You have to be kidding. DO NOT USE TOLUENE! unless you are using a respirator in a well ventilated area, that stuff will cause drain bamage   :palm:
ogden:

--- Quote from: Mick B on October 02, 2018, 01:11:20 pm ---You have to be kidding. DO NOT USE TOLUENE! unless you are using a respirator in a well ventilated area, that stuff will cause drain bamage   :palm:

--- End quote ---

Right. Even if you use respirator, better print 10-page material safety data sheet and place near your work area - so when someone find you (hopefully alive), they know what you are dealing with and how to help you:

H225 - Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
H304 - May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
H315 - Causes skin irritation.
H336 - May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
H361 - Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
H373 - May cause damage to organs (central nervous system, liver, heart) through prolonged or repeated exposure.
H402 - Harmful to aquatic life

Check the vital functions. Unconscious: maintain adequate airway and respiration. Respiratory arrest: artificial respiration or oxygen. Cardiac arrest: perform resuscitation. Victim conscious
with laboured breathing: half-seated. Victim in shock: on his back with legs slightly raised. Vomiting: prevent asphyxia/aspiration pneumonia. Prevent cooling by covering the victim (no warming up). Keep watching the victim. Give psychological aid. Keep the victim calm, avoid physical strain. Depending on the victim's condition: doctor/hospital. Never give alcohol to drink.
tooki:
Come on, guys, every solvent's MSDS sounds like doom. And in cases of high concentrations and/or prolonged exposure (e.g. occupational exposure) I'm sure it's true. But for a bit of flux cleaning?!? Remember, toluene is also in tons of permanent markers…

Use it occasionally, in a well ventilated space, and you'll be fine.

OP: Often, a blend of solvents works best — which is exactly what commercial flux removers are. I have yet to encounter any component that gets dissolved by commercial flux remover (which is usually a blend of isopropanol, ethanol, and hydrocarbons like heptane). It does, however, melt the markings off of some diodes and resistors.
Housedad:
God, how I miss 1,1,1-Trichloroethane.  You could clean anything with that stuff.  It would not touch plastics, but was hell on gook, rosin, and grease. I used it on my guns, cars, electronics, everything.  It was the perfect cleaning solvent.  Rosin would wash away and it would dry in under 10 seconds.   We lost the use of that in the 90's.

Along with belladonna extract. (Yes, the deadly nightshade)  When you had a stuffed up head from a cold, that stuff would dry up your sinuses and keep them dry.  When They advertised Contac pills would keep you dry fro 12 hours, they weren't kidding.  No antihistamine since has ever worked even 1/4 as well.  Took it away in the late 70's.



They always take away the things that work well.....
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