The Reality of Aqueous Cleaning

ncreasing regulation of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) solvents, together with manufacturing cost reduction potential, has led many electronics companies to consider alternative methods for cleaning SMT boards. Many alternatives are available, from solvents with low ozone-depletion potential to no-cleaning processes. Each substitute claims to have advantages.’ Early in Alcatel Telettra’s (Vimercate, Italy) program to eliminate chlorofluorocarbon1 13 from its factories, the decision was made to use aqueous cleaning. The company’s decision was mainly based on the fact that no-clean technology was still in its early stages.