We are using H pastes and fluxes on Class 3 Medical. 
We Qualified our cleaning process per Appendix B.  This is permitted as
you stated per J-STD-001C paragraph 4.2.b.  The only issue you may have
is that the customer does have the right to state on a print or in a
contract that specific fluxes must be used.

Although we do not build Military, thought it would still be a data
point for you.

-Carrie

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kane, Joseph E
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 2:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Water Soluble Flux For Class 3

We're trying to qualify a water soluble flux, Alpha 3355 HB, for wave
soldering our military product.  We've installed an ultrasonic spray
fluxer for our wave solder machine, and an in-line aqueous cleaner with
Vigon A200 in the wash section.

We've performed SIR testing in accordance with J-STD-001C Appendix B.
We've also done ion chromatography on some production boards, some
testing with our Omega Meter, and for good measure, we conformal coated
some samples and ran them through ten-day humidity.  Everything looks
good.

We're not making this change lightly.  We think we've done our homework,
and we've got good equipment and process controls.
But before we implement, we're reviewing with some of our customers, and
we're having trouble with one.

Their Objection #1 is that J-STD-001 doesn't permit water soluble flux
for Class 3.  Obviously, that's not how we read it, because para. 4.2.b
says:

When other activity levels or flux materials are used, data
demonstrating compliance with testing of Appendix B shall 7 be available
for review.

They get hung up on 4.2.c:

Type H or M fluxes may be used only for tinning of terminals, solid wire
and sealed components when performed as part of an integrated fluxing,
soldering, cleaning, and cleanliness test system.

They see "may be used only for tinning..." and stop there.  We see "may
be used only for tinning...when performed as part of..."
In other words, we think that subparagraph b allows you to qualify for
soldering per Appendix B, subparagraph c says that if you pretin, you
must also clean and test.

Their Objection #2 is that nobody else is out there using water soluble
flux to solder flight-qualified military hardware.  We know for a fact
that this is not true, because we have a sister plant that does this, as
does one of our competitors just down the road.

First question, a plea really, does anyone have an opinion about the
intent of J-STD-001C paragraph 4.2?

Second question - who else out there is using water soluble flux for
Class 3 military?  Can you say which flux?  Which military programs?

I won't use anyone's company name without permission, but I need to let
our our customer know that we're not trying something crazy and without
precedent.  If we can get beyond that, I think we can have meaningful
discussion with them about our equipment, testing, and process controls.

Joe Kane
BAE SYSTEMS Controls
Johnson City, NY

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