I have a supplier that believes that dry N2 will desiccate better than dry air. I don't think oxidation is a factor with this problem. The N2 would be pumped through/around this item so it would get a continuous flow/rinsing. If the dry air is just as dry as the N2 (dew point not Mountain Dew point!) would the drying affect be the same? My first recommendation was for a vacuum bake but for this item (for reasons I can't go into here) that's not possible. I may be able to have them at least do a bake and flush with dry air or N2. At 12:13 PM 10/29/2002, you wrote: >Why N2? You would get exactly the same effect with dry air. However, be >warned: if the air or nitrogen becomes humid, you will reach an >equilibrium state between the parts and the air or gas, not perfect >dryness. You will need several successive "rinses" of dry gas to achieve >low levels and probably storage in large volumes, compared with the >volume of the parts. The only advantage of N2 over air is if you wish to >avoid an oxygen reaction, such as oxidation of reactive metals, and this >has damn-all to do with moisture (well, almost :-) ). > >Brian > >Gregg Klawson wrote: >>Hello Technet, >> >>A question came up this morning as to whether nitrogen could be used as a >>drying agent for PWBs, components, etc. I know nitrogen is used as a fill >>gas for dry boxes, bags and to provide a dry atmosphere for component >>testing. I don't have a feel for the physics of using nitrogen to dry >>something out. We have a situation where baking at high temperatures may >>not be practical but immersion in a nitrogen atmosphere is. Any ideas, >>references would be appreciated. --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------