So Grivon I have been in your position with an auditor as well on this same topic.
While FTIR is a great tool to detect the presence of silicone compounds (if you actually have one - unlike me who very jealously wishes we did), you can also use a functional test such as a solder spread copper/brass coupon to show that even if silicon is present, it has a negligible if any impact on solderability. IPC TM 650 has a method.
The downside of using only chemical analytical instrumental is that now it is so sensitive that you can detect trace levels on & of almost anything. Issue is trying to define (correlate)a level at which you need to have concern. Hence adding a functional test such a solder spread can provide additional supporting evidence and value.
In our case, we used both SEM/EDX and solder spread tests to avoid a potential audit finding at one of our sites.
Every auditor is different.
Good luck!!
Rich Kraszewski
Senior Staff Process Engineer
Plexus
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-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of GRIVON Arnaud
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 8:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] [COM] Evaluating/Monitoring Silicone Contamination
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Happy New Year TechNet !
Here is a first query for 2020...
We all know about the need of carefully segregate acrylic/urethane from silicone conformal coatings, but how about evidencing and demonstrating (say for an angry auditor) the actual lack of silicone cross-contamination on toolings, ovens and workspaces ?
Are you aware of any reliable test system to perform silicone contamination evaluations? What are their principles and related test methods & acceptance criteria?
It looks like some suppliers offer Surface Silicone Contamination Test Kits :
- Henniker Plasma<https://ddei3-0-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fplasmatreatment.co.uk%2fwp%2dcontent%2fuploads%2f2016%2f09%2fHenniker%2dPlasma%2dTechnology%2dOverview.pdf&umid=5D81E98C-9B8D-3105-A422-6CBEC76778FA&auth=fa0282dc3c44b189bcc708f19c936975d8469bfe-165e1d080a0a9e9f188777d6b054340861c5087c> : https://ddei3-0-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fplasmatreatment.co.uk%2fhenniker%2dplasma%2dtechnology%2fproducts%2fsurface%2dtest%2dequipment%2ftest%2dfor%2dsurface%2dsilicone%2dcontamination%2f&umid=5D81E98C-9B8D-3105-A422-6CBEC76778FA&auth=fa0282dc3c44b189bcc708f19c936975d8469bfe-99a2c633c2b699940a1b64811a5d44fb38a31589
- Anderson Materials Evaluation : http://www.andersonmaterials.com/test_methods/testing-facilities-for-silicone-contamination.html#<http://www.andersonmaterials.com/test_methods/testing-facilities-for-silicone-contamination.html>
Any practice of such test kits and return of experience to share?
Thanks in advance for your feedbacks.
Best regards,
Arnaud Grivon
