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Western Pacific Rim PCB 'Gunk'?

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CaptnYellowShirt:
So I've ordered several electronic related things from areas surrounding the western pacific rim over the last two years (Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, et al). Most of these things I'm getting from eBay, so the items have a cross section of being both new and used (e.g. some have been manufactured there, some have been imported, used, and then resold). However, something I've noticed about just all of them is a salt-like 'gunk' on various areas of the PCBs.

Maybe 'stain' would be a better word for it because it won't come off, but it has the appearance of dried salt water. Its nothing I've seen on new or used equipment from the north america or europe.

Has anyone else seen this? Any clue what it is?

fcb:
Flux residue from wave soldering probably, and/or cleaning the PCB with contaminated water (leaving flux residue on the boards).

T3sl4co1l:
Like the flux residue in the most recent EEVblog video?

That stuff, it looked like they hand soldered the last parts, then splashed it with some solvent and let it dry.  No soaking, no scrubbing, no rinsing.  Needless to say, the flux doesn't go anywhere, except smeared out a little (and changing the deposit from shiny to hazy or crusty, so it looks even worse).

I've seen poorly washed boards, which weren't crusty (except in few spots), but had, essentially, white water stains all over.  More of the same -- incomplete, hasty processing, just not as bad.

...By the way... what...does it taste like?...dare I ask..?!  If it's actually salty, its resemblance would be more than appearance alone!!  Warning, don't actually do this, it's probably not worth the risk. :P

Tim

CaptnYellowShirt:
I haven't had a chance to see Dave in his latest exploits. But if that camera is the caliber of items I've purchased.

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