How does isopropyl alcohol clean circuit boards in the electronics industry?

As a common chemical solvent, isopropyl alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol, IPA) is widely used in the electronics industry, especially in cleaning circuit boards. Circuit boards are prone to accumulate contaminants such as dirt, solder residues, and grease during production and use. These contaminants not only affect the performance of the circuit board, but may also cause electrical failures. This article will discuss in detail the role of isopropyl alcohol in cleaning circuit boards and how to use it correctly to ensure the efficient operation of circuit boards.

1. Cleaning principle of isopropyl alcohol

isopropanol is a strong solvent with good solubility and volatility. It can effectively dissolve grease, dirt, welding residue and other pollutants. In the production process of circuit boards, soldering and assembly often leave solder fumes, flux residues and other harmful substances. If these substances are not cleaned in time, they will affect the conductivity of the circuit and even cause short circuits or electrical failures. Isopropyl alcohol can remove these pollutants through its strong dissolving force, and after cleaning, the surface of the circuit board can be restored to clean and ensure electrical performance.

2. Advantages of isopropyl alcohol cleaning circuit board

high 2.1 security

compared to some highly corrosive chemicals, isopropyl alcohol is relatively safe when used correctly. It does not corrode most circuit board materials (such as copper, solder, etc.), so it is widely used in the cleaning of electronic products. Due to its strong volatility, it will evaporate quickly during use, reducing the potential harm of residual liquid to the circuit board.

2.2 fast and efficient

isopropyl alcohol has good volatility and does not leave moisture residue during the cleaning process, thereby avoiding the oxidation problem caused by moisture on the circuit board. Its evaporation speed is very fast, can quickly clean the circuit board, especially suitable for large-scale rapid cleaning needs on the production line.

2.3 mild solubility

isopropyl alcohol can gently dissolve solder residues, flux, grease, etc. when cleaning the circuit board without damaging the structure of the circuit board itself. This gentle solubility makes it an ideal choice for circuit board cleaning, especially for some precision electronic equipment, where avoiding damage to components is essential.

3. How to clean the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol?

3.1 preparations

before starting cleaning, first disconnect the power supply and make sure that the circuit board is not energized. To prepare the right amount of isopropyl alcohol, you can choose 70%-90% isopropyl alcohol solution, such a concentration can effectively clean, and not easy to damage the circuit board. It is also necessary to prepare a clean non-woven fabric or brush for wiping the circuit board.

3.2 cleaning steps

1. apply isopropyl alcohol: Pour isopropyl alcohol on the non-woven fabric and gently wipe the surface of the circuit board, taking care not to let the liquid overflow too much.
2. Use brush to clean: For some areas that are difficult to wipe, you can use a soft brush to gently scrub, especially the dirt around the solder joints and connectors.
3. Remove excess fluid: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to remove excess isopropyl alcohol on the surface of the circuit board to avoid liquid residue.
4. Natural drying isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly and usually does not require additional drying equipment. Place it for a few minutes and put it into use after the surface is completely dry.

3.3 considerations

when using isopropyl alcohol to clean the circuit board, care should be taken to prevent liquid from entering the sensitive parts of the circuit board, especially the connection port and power interface. Avoid using too rough cloth or hard brush, so as not to scratch the surface of the circuit board. Use the process to ensure that the environment is ventilated, so that the rapid evaporation of isopropyl alcohol.

4. Limitations of isopropyl alcohol cleaning circuit boards

while isopropyl alcohol is an ideal solvent for cleaning circuit boards, in some cases it has limitations. For example, isopropyl alcohol may not be able to completely remove certain strong contaminants, such as stubborn conductive adhesives. Isopropyl alcohol may have a slight corrosive effect on the plastic housing of some electronic components, so small-scale testing is required before cleaning.

5. Summary

as an important solvent for cleaning circuit boards, isopropanol has been widely used in the electronics industry because of its high efficiency, safety and mildness. In the production and maintenance process of electronic products, the correct use of isopropyl alcohol to clean the circuit board can not only improve the performance of the circuit board, extend the service life of the electronic equipment, but also reduce the failure caused by pollutants. Although there are certain limitations, if it can be used reasonably, isopropyl alcohol is undoubtedly an ideal choice for circuit board cleaning.