Flux-Off® Lead-Free Flux Remover

A flux remover, also known as a flux cleaner or solder flux remover, is a chemical cleaning agent used in electronics and soldering applications to remove flux residues from circuit boards, electronic components, and other soldered connections. Flux is a substance used during soldering to facilitate the flow of molten solder and promote good solder joints. It prevents oxidation of the metal surfaces, enhances wetting, and ensures a reliable electrical connection. However, after soldering, some flux residues may remain on the surface, which can be detrimental if left uncleaned. Flux residues can be conductive and corrosive, potentially causing short circuits, reduced performance, or even long-term damage to the electronic components. A flux remover is designed to effectively remove these flux residues without causing harm to the electronic components or the circuit board. It typically comes in the form of a spray, liquid, or solvent, and it contains specific chemicals that dissolve and remove the flux residues. Flux removers vary in their composition, and some may be suitable for cleaning specific types of flux or for different materials. It's essential to choose the right flux remover for the type of flux used in the soldering process and follow the instructions and safety precautions listed in the safety data sheet (SDS). Proper cleaning of flux residues with a flux remover is crucial for maintaining the reliability and functionality of electronic devices, especially in the manufacturing and repair industries. It helps ensure that soldered connections are clean, free of contamination, and function as intended. Flux Remover | Rosins and Cleaners Learn more in our Blog Follow our Linkedin

The cleaning method best for your operation depends on your volume, throughput desired, criticality of the electronics, regulatory restrictions, floor space and other practical considerations. All defluxing processes basically involve 1) dissolving the flux resisue, 2) flushing off the dissolved residues, and 3) drying the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The following are the general methods used to clean PCBAs: Manual cleaning - This can involve aersol or pump sprays, or solvents in a pan or tray. Agitation can be applied with a brush, swab or wipe. This method is best for low volume cleaning of non-critical electronics (e.g. IPC class 1), because it is operator dependant, so not easily repeatable. Ultrasonic - This method uses sonic (sound) waves to create bubbles, which implode on the PCBA surface to break up the flux residues. This is an aggressive cleaning method, which can be a problem for sensitive components (e.g. ceramic). Because the dissolved flux residues flow back into the cleaning solution, the cleaner needs to be monitored and changed often to prevent cross-contamination. Vapor degreasing - The cleaning is done either in the vapor phase of a solvent, or submerged in a sump, which often includes ultrasonic action. Since the final rinse always happens in the vapor phase, this is an ideal cleaning method for critical applications where residue cannot be accepted. Batch or inline systems - Spray equipment is used to wash, rinse, and dry the PCBAs. Water or water-based cleaners are most commonly used as the cleaning solution. This cleaning method is good for high volume cleaning, and is repeatable enough for critical applicaitons. Flux Remover | Rosins and Cleaners Learn more in our Blog Follow our Linkedin

We recommend choosing a solvent engineered specifically for contact cleaning. Other solvent cleaners an be used, but be aware or the following factors: Spray force - Aerosol cleaners are generally used to penetrate into the tight areas around the contact and provide agitation. Dielectric strength - If you are cleaning energized (powered) equipment, use a cleaning solvent with a dielectric strength of 30 kV (30,000V) or higher. This prevents shorting the equipment. Dielectric strength is defined as the maximum electric field that the material can withstand under ideal conditions without breaking down. Breaking down in this sense is described as a failure of insulating properties, where the electricity breaks free of the conductors and burns a path through the weakest area of the insulating materials. Solvency / cleaning strength - The solvent cleaner needs to be strong enough to dissolve oil and other contamination. Flammability - If there is risk of flames or sparks, a nonflammable solvent is recommended. Evaporation rate - Since there isn't opportunity to wipe the solvent off the inner parts of the electrical device, fast evaporation is very helpful. Plastic compatibility - Electrical devices often contain plastics and gasketing material that can be damaged by harsh solvents. Additives - Some cleaners, like WD40, contain oils that are left behind. That can be a good way to prevent oxidation, but it depends on your application and equipment. In some cases, it could be considered a contamination -- especially silicone oil, which tends to migrate. Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray & Lubricants | High Purity Learn more in our Blog Follow our Linkedin

The red cap on Chemtronics aerosol products like flux removers, degreasers, and Freeze-It Freeze Spray has a notch on the top. That is engineered for the straw to snap in and hold into place so you don’t loose it. The aerosol trigger sprayers that are common on dusters, freeze sprays, and flux removers, have two ways to store the straw when not in use. The hole at the back of the body of the sprayer is just the right size for the straw to slide into place for storage. The slot below the trigger is also the right size for the straw to snap into place, which also has the advantage of locking the trigger.

The shelf life of a product can be found on either the technical data sheet (TDS), available on the product page, or by looking on the certificate on conformance (COC). The COC can be downloaded by going to https://www.chemtronics.com/coc. Once you have the shelf life, you will need to add it to the manufacture date for a use-by date. The manufacture date can be identified by the batch number. The batch code used on most of our products are manufacture dates in the Julian Date format. The format is YYDDD, where YY = year, DDD = day. For example, 19200 translates to the 200th day of 2019, or July 19, 2019. This webpage explains and provides charts to help interpret our batch numbers: https://www.chemtronics.com/batch-codes.