The first statement was wrong. A flux must have ionic components to work
properly.

Water soluble fluxes leave ionic residue detectable by:
        ROSE testing (Omega meter, Ionograph....). This test is useful to
determine whether the cleaner is in control. Commonly used throughout the
industry.
        Ion chromotagraphy. This test determines what specific residue causes
failure. Only large shops can maintain the equipment.
        Surface Insulation Resistance. This test actually has a correllation
with field failures. None relating to residue if resistivity is above a
certain level. Guaranteed if its below a certain level. The level depends
upon environment, panel design and circuit design (voltage, current,
impedance, spacing, indoors vs. under the hood...). This test should be
done on test coupons in an environmental test lab. It is rarely done as a
process control, since the test takes a week, and is not usually done on
production panels.

There are many systems on the market for all 3 types of testing. I won't
advertise any here, for fear of naming a supplier.

ARIC PARR
Sr. Manufacturing Engineer
Eaton Corp
1400 S. Livernois
P. O. Box 5020
Rochester Hills, Mi 48308-5020
[log in to unmask]
248 608 7780
Fax: 248 656 2242
-------------
Original Text
From: C=US/A=INTERNET/DDA=ID/TechNet(a)IPC.ORG, on 6/29/98 4:53 PM:
To: Aric Parr@01635@Lectron_RH,
EatonWHQ@CorpMail@WHQCleveOH[C=US/A=INTERNET/DDA=ID/TechNet(a)IPC.ORG]

I was told that water soluble flux does not leave ionic contaminants behind,
and if you want to test for contaminants you should do a surface
Resistivity
test.

My questions are as follows:

1.  Is this entirely true, or can some sort of correlation be made between
the two different types of tests.
2.  If surface Resistivity testing is being done should ionic contamination
testing ever be done?
3.  Are there any Ionic Contamination Testing systems available so we can
do
this test in house?
4.  Are there any Surface Resistivity Testing systems available so we can
do
this test in house?

Thanks in advance for you responses!

Kathy Palumbo
Viking Components

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