Homebrew PCBs

On Wed, 26 Apr 2006 at 00:33, Steve wrote:
>    Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:33:49 -0000
>    From: "Steve" <alienrelics@...>
>Subject: Re: cleaning solution for inkjets - Steve
>
>Wow... according to the MSDS, this one is only 1 to 5% ammonia, if I'm
>interpreting this correctly:
>http://www.mchem.com/test/Pacific%20Ammonia.pdf

Thanks for the link, Steve, I know _exactly_ what you are using.
I'm off to the supermarket this afternoon to check what our
common UK formulations are (Windolene, Goddards, and so on.)

Yes, "household" ammonia is around 5%.
I'm told it doesn't fully dissociate in solution so the
exact percentage won't affect the pH in proportion.

The presentation of the concentration as range, e.g. 1 to 5%,
is common in MSDS because it allows manufacturers
to keep their exact formulations secret.

>So you'd better water it down a lot more than that!

And you also ought to check that the concentration is
expressed in the same way: Ammonia in water is
sometimes quoted as NH3 and sometimes as NH4OH,
roughly a two times difference in numbers. It may not
make much difference as an ink cleaner, but it will get
up your nose less to use it weaker rather than stronger.

><snip>
>--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Stefan Trethan wrote:
> > <snip>The ammonia is 25%, so i will have to dilute that down.<snip>
> > I was  stupid enough to have a smell - a careful one from a distance _i
>thought_.
> > That stuff almost knocked me over! I was lucky not to spill anything
>from
> > the bottle

Don't try this at home, kids!

The (relatively) 'safe' way of sniffing a non-toxic chemical is:-
A) stand container on firm surface
B) at arms length, remove the cap
C) wave hand over container to draw fumes towards face
D) sniff gingerly.

So you don't get a faceful, keel over, drop it and OD in the puddle.

Very graphic, Stefan - I didn't laugh, honest. (No, really.)
You would have had a very clean patch on the carpet
  - when you managed to get back into the house.


Regards, LenW