Nitrogen is not required for low solids no clean flux. We have been 
     doing this in open air for several years, including surface mount. We 
     have retrofitted one machine with nitrogen (short tunnel) and have one 
     long tunnel. The main benefit has been maintenance and up time from 
     dross reduction.
     
     I am not sure if I will even retrofit our remaining machines, although 
     all new machines will have factory installed nitrogen (which is 
     significantly more efficient than retrofits designed by a gas 
     supplier). 
     
     Our biggest problems with test fixtures and probes were solved with 
     flux application process changes, not by nitrogen. We have almost no 
     false rejects due to flux residues. Most past problems were due to 
     stuck probes (no spring) and/or flux attacking the fixture, not 
     electrical contact failure.
     
     [log in to unmask]


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: ASSY: BOUNDARY VS. FULL TUNNEL WAVE SOLDER NITROGEN INERTING
Author:  [log in to unmask] at internet
Date:    8/16/96 12:30 AM


DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE IN COMPARING INERTING THE WAVE 
SOLDERING OPERATION ONLY AT THE WAVE AS OPPOSED TO FULL 
TUNNEL INERTING?
     
CAN YOU GO TO VERY LOW SOLIDS FLUXES (0.5-1.0%) WITH 
BOUNDARY INERTING OR DO YOU NEED THE FULL TUNNEL?
     
IF YOU CAN GET BY WITH BOUNDARY INERTING:
     
1. CAN YOU GAIN A BENEFIT BY BEING ABLE TO USE  LESS 
EXPENSIVE, LOW  FORCE PROBE, TEST FIXTURES?
     
2. CAN YOU DECREASE THE FALSE REJECTS IN TEST WHICH ARE DUE 
TO FLUX RESIDUES?
     
VIC BELDAVS
(414) 362-2797
[log in to unmask]
     
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