Joe,

Only to add to Doug's comments, I am aware that Bob Clarke at  Hughes
Missiles, Tucson, Az, generated a report in July 1993 that I understand was
used to qualify an OA process.

The flux was HF1189 an OA flux that is pure Organic Acid water soluble, as
distinct from a water washable flux that requires some saponification. The
solder paste was WS300 from OMG Industries that is now owned by AIM in
Canada.

I further understand that his work was used to create MIL-F-14256 that was
subsequently cancelled without replacement in June 1995. Although someone
out there in Techie-land will no doubt correct me.

I know that Hughes and many others employed the OA, closed-loop water
cleaning process and that Westek, now Trek Industries sold many systems.

I hope this helps

--
Regards Graham Naisbitt

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> 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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