Electronics > Repair
Ultrasonic cleaner size: 10L vs 6L
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SolderOcelot:

--- Quote from: tooki on July 10, 2024, 03:54:06 pm ---
Commercial PCB cleaners/flux removers for ultrasonic are aqueous, i.e. not solvent-based. The key ingredient is a saponifier (lye or similar), plus surfactants (probably something closer to what’s in all-purpose spray cleaner like Cilit Bang), plus corrosion inhibitors and probably redeposition inhibitors. These cleaners don’t rely on solvents to dissolve the flux, they use the saponifier to make the flux water-soluble.

(Solvent-based cleaners that can be used in ultrasonic do exist, but they don’t contain water. At least I’ve never seen one that does.)

--- End quote ---
I'm not a chemist, but the fact that they rely so much on saponifiers is maybe the reason why so many people swear by just distilled water & dish soap?

Also, as a Swiss I'm going to assume you use ultrasonic cleaners daily on Rolex parts  ;D
jpanhalt:
@tooki
I wonder whether Kester has spies on EEVBlog. ;)

Kester's SDS for aqueous flux removers (e.g., #5768) used to say what was in it (2-butoxyethanol and ethylamine).   The same ingredients are in acrylic floor stippers.  Now Kester is more generic:  https://www.macdermidalpha.com/sites/default/files/sds_pdfs/NA/4060034_KESTER%20SDS%20GHS%20AMERICAS_ENGLISH%20%28US%29.PDF

Look for a household or commercial product with those two ingredients.  They are extremely common, and the cellosolve is generally considered non-toxic.  The recommended final concentration of butoxyethanol ("butyl cellosolve" and other names) is about 10%.  The amine is the "saponifier."  Add a little non-ionic surfactant, if that makes you feel better.  I use Zep brand heavy duty acrylic floor stripper from my local big box store.  I believe it is distributed in Europe, but not in Australia yet.  It's about 30%, so I dilute 1 part to 3 parts total with water.  You could probably use even less of the butoxyethanol.  Then rinse well with water (I give two minutes in the ultrasonic with the final rinse and same time for initial cleaning.)
SteveThackery:
I use non-aqueous fluid for small steel components like watch parts, in order to avoid any risk of rusting.
tooki:

--- Quote from: SolderOcelot on July 10, 2024, 04:33:01 pm ---
--- Quote from: tooki on July 10, 2024, 03:54:06 pm ---Commercial PCB cleaners/flux removers for ultrasonic are aqueous, i.e. not solvent-based. The key ingredient is a saponifier (lye or similar), plus surfactants (probably something closer to what’s in all-purpose spray cleaner like Cilit Bang), plus corrosion inhibitors and probably redeposition inhibitors. These cleaners don’t rely on solvents to dissolve the flux, they use the saponifier to make the flux water-soluble.



--- End quote ---
I'm not a chemist, but the fact that they rely so much on saponifiers is maybe the reason why so many people swear by just distilled water & dish soap?

--- End quote ---
I don’t think I am getting your point — dish soap isn’t a saponifier. (Saponifiers turn something else into soap. Like using lye to turn vegetable fats into soap.) So you’re not using a soap to remove rosin, you’re turning the rosin into a soap.

And who are these “many people” who rely on dish soap and water?


--- Quote from: SolderOcelot on July 10, 2024, 04:33:01 pm ---Also, as a Swiss I'm going to assume you use ultrasonic cleaners daily on Rolex parts  ;D

--- End quote ---
Well, I live in Switzerland and have citizenship, but I’m not actually Swiss. :P

I think the last time I wore a wristwatch was in the 90s. As soon as I had a cellphone (1998 IIRC) I stopped. And it was just a Swatch. :p I’ve seen Rolex watches in shop windows though!
SteveThackery:

--- Quote from: tooki on July 10, 2024, 09:10:55 pm ---I’ve seen Rolex watches in shop windows though!

--- End quote ---

I think Rolex are seriously over-rated.  People in the know buy Zenith.  ;)
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