The Science Lab
Introducing Our Next Generation Aqueous Cleaner
The beginning of a new year kicked off with a brand-new product for KYZEN: AQUANOX A4626.
For many years, the AQUANOX product line has been delivering top-quality, award-winning chemistries that can be used in a number of cleaning processes. The goal has been to provide customers with a product that works quickly and efficiently to help with cost, labor, and overall superior results. AQUANOX A4626 does exactly that.
In January of 2022, A4626 was introduced to the world at IPC APEX. In case you missed out, we are here to give you the inside scoop in this edition of Cleaning Insights.
Tell Me More About AQUANOX A4626
AQUANOX A4626 is a next-generation cleaning chemistry designed to quickly remove the latest polymeric no-clean flux residues, while providing superior results on traditional lead-free and eutectic tin-lead residues as well. Easy to use and control, A4626 is environmentally friendly, has a long tank life and is safe for multi-pass applications.
AQUANOX A4626 is a concentrated aqueous cleaning agent that is highly effective for jettable paste applications while maintaining a low cost of ownership. A4626 will also clean water-soluble soils and is KYZEN ANALYST compatible. AQUANOX A4626 has a wide material compatibility window on boards, components, labels and metallic surfaces.
Is there Evidence of Its Capabilities?
There is! To learn more about the impact AQUANOX A4626 had on a customer’s process, read the latest case study here.
Where Can I Find More Information?
Everything you need to know about the new aqueous chemistry can be found on its product page here. This includes a product bulletin, safety data sheet, and even technical supplement.
As always, if you have any questions about AQUANOX A4626 or would like to request a trial/sample, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Benchtop Cleaning Principles: How to Clean Flux Residue from Your Circuit Boards Using IONOX
There are many benefits of cleaning your circuit board with IONOX when benchtop cleaning, but you have to make sure you are doing it the proper way. One of KYZEN’s Technical Expert, Charlie Pitarys, goes into detail about best practices when using this method below:
A semi-aqueous cleaning process is the process of solvent washing then rinsing with water. When cleaning electronic assemblies, the objective is to solvate the soils from the surface of the assembly or component. Once the wash step is completed, the parts go through a series of rinse steps to remove wash chemistry, spot mask, and ionic residues. The parts are dried free of water and typically have contamination levels that are undetectable.
There are four basic variables in any cleaning process and each element contributes to overall successful cleaning.
Temperature + Energy + Solvency (of the chemistry) + Time = Clean
Beaker cleaning is a simple, effective method for evaluating the solubility of a contaminant in a specific chemistry. The beaker test is most often used for semi-aqueous and aqueous ultrasonic applications where emphasis is placed more on solvency rather than impingement or mechanical energy.
The IONOX family of solutions is best used neat, 100%. Do not dilute. This will be your fixed Solvency starting point for your T. E. S. T.
The substrate is suspended in a beaker filled with chemistry at elevated temperature. Varying any one of the process variables can impact the overall cleaning process (for example: raising the temperature 10°F may reduce the time required)
For ultrasonic evaluations:
To minimize chemistry used a 500ml or larger beaker can be floated or suspended in an ultrasonic tank that is filled with water to the operating level. The sound energy will effectively travel through the glass.
- Fill the beaker to the desired level and de-gas the solution for a minimum time of 15 minutes.
- Ensure the desired temperature is reached before sample immersion. (Recommend <125°F)
- Allow the PCB to soak in the heated IONOX solution for at least 2 minutes.
- Turn on the ultrasonic power and begin the initial wash. Evaluate after 4 minutes.
- Remove the part and allow the solution remaining on the sample to drip back into the wash beaker. This will ensure minimum carry out to the rinse beaker.
- Proceed with an ultrasonic or stirred beaker rinse for a minimum of 2 minutes.
- Proceed to an optional third final rinse beaker.
- Dry the sample.
- Visually evaluate for cleanliness.
For spray under immersion evaluations:
- Fill the beaker to the desired level. Place a Teflon stir bar into the beaker and set for mild agitation.
- Ensure the desired temperature is reached before sample immersion.
- Begin the initial wash. Evaluate after 7 minutes.
- Remove the part and allow the solution remaining on the sample to drip back into the wash beaker. This will ensure minimum carry out to the rinse beaker.
- Proceed with a stirred beaker rinse for a minimum of 2 minutes.
- Proceed to an optional third Final Rinse beaker.
- Dry the sample.
- Visually evaluate for cleanliness.
Process Note for Both Benchtop Evaluation Methods:
- Because only a small sample is processed, conditions for a full production scenario will need to be defined.
- IPA may also be used as an alternative rinsing agent, eliminating the water rinse and dry steps
By optimizing the four variables of T. E. S. T., a baseline condition of the cleaning chemistry can be achieved.
Have questions for Charlie or someone on our team? We also offer full-scale cleaning process evaluations in our applications lab. Contact us here to learn more!
Meet The Clean Team
Fernando Rueda – Americas Manager
A familiar face around the tradeshow scene and in the world of cleaning technologies, Fernando Rueda, Americas Manager at KYZEN, is a vital member of the team. Originally from Barcelona, Spain, his career began in the Spanish Army with a focus in Telecommunications. He also obtained a 2-year college degree in Computer Science. He has been a KYZEN employee for 17 years, this March. Fernando has been married to his wonderful wife, Lisa, for 33 years and together they have 3 children. Their oldest son, Daniel graduated from Penn State University, and is now an aerospace engineer for Lockheed Martin. Michael, the middle child, graduated from the University of Virginia and currently works in business/marketing for Oracle Netsuite. Last but certainly not least, their youngest son Christian, currently attends Arizona State University and will be graduating next year with a dual degree in Biology and GIS Systems.
When Fernando is not working hard for KYZEN, he enjoys playing, watching, and also coaching soccer. He is a licensed coach, referee, and also played for 45 years. Fernando also enjoys venturing out with friends and his wife for IPAs and wine. Together they love to try different wineries and breweries in their local area and when they travel. A few fun facts about Fernando; while in bootcamp at the Army Military Academy, the Spanish Government declared him AWOL and sent the police looking to his parent’s house, he practiced Taekwondo for 12 years, and he volunteers with Project Beloved, a foundation to help support victims of sexual assault and to educate the public about the issue.
A true expert in his field, Fernando is very important member of the KYZEN team. Please reach out to him with any questions or concerns regarding your cleaning process and goals.
Joe McChesney – Global Product Line Manager – Solvents
A true cleaning expert, Joe McChesney has been a vital industry leader with a career extending 45 years. He has been a KYZEN employee for 7 years this March but has been associated with KYZEN for over 30 years since the company was first founded due to his cleaning equipment background. Originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Joe’s first steps into the industry began at Western Kentucky University where he obtained a degree in Engineering Technology. Joe comes from a large family of 6 siblings, 4 sisters and 2 brothers. His father passed when he was 6 but he was able to spend a lot of time with his 8 uncles and cousins, which he very much enjoyed. In his free time, he enjoys participating in gun sports such as hunting and shooting. Fun fact, several years ago, he owned a gun club, shot professionally for Remington Arms, and was elected to the Kentucky Trapshooting Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement. Joe also enjoys spending time in the woods with my grandsons.
Throughout his long career in the cleaning industry, he has achieved many things. For example, he holds several patents for cleaning solutions and recovery processes. He enjoys meeting new people and seeing the diversity of the products made at their factories. Joe also focuses on the educational aspect of training younger personnel as well as customers on the knowledge-based skills he has accumulated throughout his career. Transferring knowledge based on experience and expertise is a means to give back to this industry, according to Joe. Which is something that he has enjoyed for many years. If you have any questions for Joe, do not hesitate to reach out. He will be more than happy to help!
Tech 2 Tech Is Back and On Demand
It’s no secret that 2020 was a rough period of time for us all as the pandemic was at its worst, thus creating issues for everyone around the world causing us all to find ways to adapt to our everyday interactions. The word ‘normal’ was typically used in quotations as we weren’t sure what that meant anymore. Businesses that normally welcomed friendly faces had to find alternative ways to function safely. Some had to close their doors and explore alternative paths to stay relevant to their customers, a path that guaranteed both safety and accessibility: they went virtual.
Going virtual was adopted and used as a primary communication tool around the world and KYZEN was no exception. Our challenge was to find a way to reach and interact with our customers that fit into their now “new normal” schedule. In the summer of 2020, our Tech 2 Tech program was created specifically for that purpose. The program connected our experts to our audience in a way that hadn’t been done before by offering live sessions that answered common cleaning questions in both the electronics and metal finishing industry.
For over a year the program thrived, however, we saw another wave of change occur when businesses gradually began opening back up and virtual was not the standard as much anymore. This meant we had to adapt to change once again which is what lead us to introduce Tech 2 Tech On Demand in 2022.
So, what is Tech 2 Tech On Demand?
The updated program essentially went from having live sessions with our experts to pre-recorded sessions that are delivered straight to your inbox. Rather than registering for a session each week and waiting for it to begin at the scheduled time, now you can subscribe to the program one time and Tech 2 Tech Session links will be emailed every Thursday with exclusive access for two weeks. This means you can watch the informative videos on your time completely at your convenience. And they are still only 15 minutes long!
The program also comes with fresh, new topics and updated graphics presented by the same experts who know cleaning like the back of their hand. The content they discuss will be exclusive to subscribers as it won’t be made available to the public for two weeks meaning you get it first before anyone else.
If you’d like to learn more about the program and subscribe, simply visit here.
Why You Should Take Advantage of Our Contract Cleaning Today
KYZEN offers various expert services for a variety of challenges and processes. One specific service that could be very beneficial to implement is Contract Cleaning. There may be times when you have an unexpected increase in production, a deadline that you can’t meet, or a customer may ask you to clean a product that you simply don’t have the equipment or bandwidth to accomplish. The Contract Cleaning service that KYZEN offers could be just the right answer for your short-term cleaning requirements. To see how this service has helped in the past, view this case study here.
When to call us for help:
- Cleaning system is down
- Developing or installing a new product line
- Short deadline and low bandwidth
- Incomplete cleaning
- Corrosion issues on metal parts
- No-clean parts need flux removal
- Wrong solder paste applied
- Product recovery
- Experiencing customer rejects with your current cleaning process
Not only do we have convenient locations around the world, but our cleaning and applications labs have an extensive array of equipment where we can respond quickly to your cleaning requirements. The service includes chemistry, labor, and waste disposal while having the assistance of our seasoned industry experts.
Included in our Applications Labs:
- Conveyorized in-line spray-in-air
- Vapor degreasers
- Stencil cleaners
- Cabinet washers
- Ultrasonic cleaning systems
- Spray-in-air batch washers
For Contract Cleaning Verification:
- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
- High-power inspection with video capability
- Ionic contamination testing
- Millipore testing
Be sure to ask a KYZEN cleaning expert for technical help before you invest in new capital equipment, generate more waste or interrupt other critical production. For additional information or to resolve any current issues you may be experiencing, visit our website.
Connect with our Cleaning Experts at the following events.