PCB Corrosion? What can i do?

[jimmyc_]

Hello people!

I have a non-working Mac Pro 2010 Logic board which i want to fix. I have no idea where to begin and there's no schematics available on the web.

I started by poking around the power connectors and saw this. Strange to see corrosion on this portion of the PCB logic board. Do i clean this with IPA?

[fcb]

Not wishing to teach you to suck eggs - have you checked Louis Rossman's channel on YT?

[Manul]

Just to make sure, what area in the picture you are talking about? Around through-hole connector pins? Is it not flux residue?

[ataradov]

Yes, what is shown on the picture is not corrosion, it is just flux from the connector soldering. You can clean it, but it is not harmful, and is not the source of any problems.

[jpanhalt]

Try cleaning first.  If that doesn't work, consider a type of creep corrosion. 

This from Dell might help: https://www.dfrsolutions.com/hubfs/DfR_Solutions_Website/Resources-Archived/Publications/2005-2007/2007_08_creep_corrosion_on_lead-free_pcb_in_high_sulfur_environments.pdf

The photo is not sharp enough to see reflections from solder flux v. corrosion.  On the most affected connector, it looks like the artifact may be burrowing under the solder mask.  That is a creeping corrosion.  There are different types.

[jimmyc_]

Just to make sure, what area in the picture you are talking about? Around through-hole connector pins? Is it not flux residue?

The pins are soldered to the PSU connector. I had problems with the Logic Board starting up, so looked at this area. I'm not sure if that's flux residue or corrosion - The board came as is.

[jimmyc_]

Try cleaning first.  If that doesn't work, consider a type of creep corrosion. 

This from Dell might help: https://www.dfrsolutions.com/hubfs/DfR_Solutions_Website/Resources-Archived/Publications/2005-2007/2007_08_creep_corrosion_on_lead-free_pcb_in_high_sulfur_environments.pdf

The photo is not sharp enough to see reflections from solder flux v. corrosion.  On the most affected connector, it looks like the artifact may be burrowing under the solder mask.  That is a creeping corrosion.  There are different types.

Thanks for this share! I'll try cleaning with IPA then get back on this!