The question you ask is similar to one asked a couple of weeks ago
regarding cleaning RMA flux residue.  You seem to be most interested in
staying with vapor degreasing however.  There are many advantages to vapor
degreasing, but one thing you will find is the cost of the solvent itself
will be somewhat high.  Also, depending on your machine, you may need to
retrofit, or buy a new machine.  Anyway, Dr Bill Kenyon posted a very good
response to the previous question, which I took the liberty to save for my
own reference and to pass on to others.

(The following material quoted from Dr. Bill Kenyon.)

HCFC:
The only member of this class that is approved by SNAP is HCFC-225.  The
blends and azeotropes are also accepted. These are in use for RMA flux
removal in high rel. (military) applications.  Since the allowed workplace
levels are much lower than CFC-113 or TCA type products, retrofitted
equipment is highly recommended.  Such equipment is extremely efficient.

HFC:
The first approved member of this class was 43-10.  Similarly, blends and
azeotropes are also accepted. New members of this class are
benzotrifluoride and octafluorocyclopentane (see proceedings of Oct. CFC
Conf.).

HFE:
The first approved member of this class was 7100. Similarly, blends and
azeotropes are also accepted.  In addition, a co-solvent process using HFE
and high boiling organic solvent in the first tank of a vapor defluxer was
described at Nepcon West Feb. 96 for the replacement of HCFC-141b for RMA
flux removal in a high reliability application.  The workplace exposure
level of HFEs tend to be high enough (about 2x TCA) so they can be used in
modern vapor defluxers without retrofitting.  This is a great advantage to
small to medium size companies.

Alcohol:
2-propanol (IPA) with a cyclohexane/IPA first wash has been effective for
RMA flux removal. Explosion/flame proof equipment, while required, is
readily available from several sources in a variety of sizes.

n-Propyl Bromide:
This is a new material, not yet formally SNAP approved, which has the
potential to be an effective TCA replacement. Available from several
sources, a comprehensive paper was presented at the CFC Conf., Oct.96.

In addition, there are many niche products, but this summarizes the
mainstream product classes that are represented in the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) Solvents and Cleaning Agents Technical Options
Committee (TOC) report.

--Bill Kenyon
Global Centre for Process Change, Inc.
302-652-4272/-5701 Tel/Fax
US Member, UNEP TOC.
>
>
>
>>Resent-Date: Wed, 22 Jan 1997 22:48:40 -0800
>>Resent-Sender: [log in to unmask]
>>Old-Return-Path: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date: 22 Jan 97 21:15:47 EST
>>From: OPPENHEIMER <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: technet <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: removing RMA flux
>>Resent-From: [log in to unmask]
>>X-Mailing-List: <[log in to unmask]> archive/latest/9504
>>X-Loop: [log in to unmask]
>>Precedence: list
>>Resent-Sender: [log in to unmask]
>>
>>We desire to continue using RMA flux in our wave and hand soldering
>>operations.
>>What reliable cleaning method has replaced Genesolve used in a vapor
>>degreaser?
>>Have tried semi-aqueous but not very happy. Does anyone have experience with
>>either SMT, Prozane or other so called drop in HCFC replacements?

***ALL NEW EMPF PHONE NUMBERS***

Jack Crawford, HelpLine Coordinator
Electronics Mfg. Productivity Facility
****NEW--317.655.3688
****FAX  317-655-3699
714 N Senate Ave, Suite 100
Indianapolis IN  46202-3112
VISIT OUR HOME PAGE AT: http://www.empf.org
[log in to unmask]


***************************************************************************
* TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 *
***************************************************************************
* To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to:           *
* [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text.        *
***************************************************************************
* If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact   *
* Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask]      *
***************************************************************************