Steve:

Back 'round 10 years ago or so, we were exclusively using vapor phase as our
main reflow unit. We had (still have in storage) a Centech Machine. We used
the machine daily for an 8 hour shift. My recollection was that once the
machine was filled, we added approximately a half gallon of replenishment
material over a 6 month period. So, while the initial filing of the machine
was expensive, it lasts quite a while with minimal losses (unless you think
that $50/month is expensive). The vapor zone we had was fully contained with
only a slot at either end for the board to enter and exit. The only reason
we stopped using the vapor phase was due to our board sizes were getting too
big for our machine. We did not get another vapor phase machine because the
prevailing thought at that time was that the Fluorinert material would
eventually become a banned material like Freon and Tri-chlor. 

Bill Kasprzak
Moog Inc.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stephen R. Gregory [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 4:06 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [TN] Vapor Phase update...
> 
> Hi ya'll!
> 
> Well, I just got through talking with someone at 3M...the FC-71 product
> has 
> been discontinued. The highest boiling point heat transfer fluid they make
> is 
> the FC-70 which boils at 215 º C. Just for grins I asked how much that
> stuff 
> sells for, and was told that it's sold by the pound. A gallon weighs
> 15-lbs, 
> and it's $60.00 a pound! YOWZA! $900 a gallon!!!
> 
> Called Galden Fluids, and they have a heat transfer fluid they call HT250 
> which boils at 250º C. The say their stuff  
> (http://www.inlandvacuum.com/galden.html) is a non ODP chemical. The spec 
> sheet for all their stuff is at
> (http://www.inlandvacuum.com/galdenspecs.html)
> 
> A gallon of the HT250 is around $560...anybody ever use this stuff?
> 
> Still haven't found anything about the equipment. There's some used stuff
> out 
> there but like Brian said in his post, I want to make sure I find
> something 
> that I won't have to keep pouring this "liquid gold" into to be able run 
> it...like the owl says; "I give a hoot, I don't wanna pollute!" (not 
> mentioning the cost). 
> 
> -Steve Gregory-
> 
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