StencilWash
PLUS
Stencil Cleaning Chemistry
 Description
StencilWash Plus is a unique blend of select detergents and solvents
formulated to offer safe, non-flammable cleaning in aqueous stencil
cleaning equipment. Used in dilution, StencilWash Plus effectively
cleans uncured surface mount device (SMD) adhesives and solder pastes
from stencils and misprinted assemblies, and it does not require
heating. It is an ideal cleaning agent for electronics manufacturers who
want (1) to clean both SMD adhesives and solder paste in one cleaning
process and cannot heat the cleaning solution, (2) to reduce or
eliminate VOC emissions, (3) to reduce odor in the workplace, (4) to
reduce or eliminate flammable or combustible solvents, and (5) to
improve operator safety.
Application
StencilWash Plus is designed to remove all types of uncured SMD
adhesives and rosin, water-soluble, and no-clean solder pastes from
stencils and misprinted SMD assemblies. It also removes new epoxy solder
pastes such as Alpha AP 4000. The product can be used to remove
water-soluble flux residues as well as rosin and some no-clean flux
residues after wave solder or reflow.
Process
StencilWash Plus is fully compatible with ultrasonic immersion
stencil/misprint cleaning equipment. Optimal wash bath operating
temperature is machine ambient (75°-90°F, 24°-32°C), but the product can
also be heated to 120°F (49°C) for stencils and to 140°F (60°C)
for misprints. Follow washing with a DI water rinse. After rinsing
stencils or assemblies, surfaces should be allowed to air dry or be
blown dry with forced air.
Compatibility
Stencils – StencilWash Plus is compatible with stencil materials of
construction, including adhesives and emulsions. Always keep operating
temperatures below 125°F (52°C) when cleaning stencils. Studies show
that stencil materials of construction are much more susceptible to
attack at temperatures above 125° F (52°C),
regardless of cleaning product. Misprinted SMD adhesives – StencilWash
Plus is compatible with epoxies, flex laminates, and other cross-linked
polymers. It does not affect cured solder mask, RTV silicone,
polystyrene or polycarbonate. Equipment – StencilWash Plus is compatible
with metals, plastics and elastomers that are compatible with
water-based organic and inorganic saponifiers and detergents. It does
not affect polymeric tank and/or plumbing materials of construction such
as PP, PE, PVC or CPVC.
Bath Life
The
concentration of StencilWash Plus in the wash bath can be monitored
using refractive index. Please contact Aqueous Technologies for a
refractive index versus concentration curve. After normal use, the
StencilWash Plus bath will become contaminated or "loaded" with solids
from solder paste and/or SMD adhesive residues. As loading increases,
cleaning performance decreases. Either an oily film or visible solids
will be left behind on the stencil after drying indicating the bath has
lost its effectiveness. Depending on the amount of paste or adhesive
being cleaned from stencils and misprints, the typical bath life for
StencilWash Plus ranges from 2 weeks to more than 8 weeks.
Product and/or Rinse
Water Disposal
For
internal disposal, used StencilWash Plus can be evaporated in
commercially available evaporator equipment. For external disposal,
Aqueous Technologies
recommends contacting your current or local environmental service
company for wastewater disposal options. Please note that while
StencilWash Plus is considered non-hazardous, materials cleaned such as
solder pastes, which contain heavy metals, may make StencilWash Plus
wash baths hazardous.
Packaging
StencilWash Plus is commercially available worldwide in 5-gallon and
55-gallon containers.
Shipping
This
product is classified as non-hazardous. No special packaging is required
to ship by air domestically or internationally.
Handling
Aqueous Technologies recommends that operators always use protective
safety glasses and gloves when handling process chemicals such as
StencilWash Plus. Gloves made of nitrile or Buna N are recommended.
Storage
StencilWash Plus is considered to be non-flammable and noncombustible
by the (US) National
Fire Protection Agency and therefore its storage is not regulated. The
product should be stored in the original container, preferably in a
ventilated, fire-resistant building.
Shelf Life
The shelf life for this
product is indefinite when it is stored in its original, sealed container at room
temperature. However, the product should be inspected after the designated date on
the product label (twenty-four months from the date of manufacture)
prior to customer use.
|
