Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 09 Feb 2006 22:09:31 +0100, dl5012 <dl5012@...> wrote:

> Hi Stefan,
>
>
> The water in rubbing alcohol slows down the rate of evaporation.
>
> That leaves residue from some of the stuff that was disolved in the
>
> alcohol or water on the board.
>
>
> I know.  I've tried using rubbing alcohol as a flux remover.  It
>
> made a big mess.  98+% anhydrous isopropyl alcohol leaves a lot
>
> less.  I found it works best when I use compressed air to blow it
>
> off the board instead of letting it evaporate.  This might make
>
> rubbing alcohol work better, but I know the anhydrous stuff is
>
> better...
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Dennis


You'll have to explain that some more.

As i see it, in both cases the gunk is solved into the liquid, and a large  
percentage of the liquid with gunk is wiped off. What remains is some  
alcohol, some gunk, and more or less water, but the amount of gunk should  
be the same in both cases. The alcohol and water evaporartes, the gunk is  
left behind, now severely reduced in amount.

None of the gunk is removed through evaporation i'd say.

So i don't see how it works like you say.

I do believe there is some difference, i just don't understand how it  
works.

Besides, i use "cheap" IPA or denatured alcohol, also the cheap variety,  
for board cleaning with no problems, but that's besides the point i really  
want to know why you got better results with the clean stuff.

ST