Considerations for Choosing the Best PCB Cleaning Solvent

The printed circuit board (PCB) assembly process can result in residues from the solder and the flux, and these can cause current leakage without proper control and monitoring. In some cases, even a no-clean flux may need to be cleaned to prevent issues. You can save time and effort by using a specially formulated PCB cleaning solution, a solvent that will make the clean-up process easier and fuss-free. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right cleaning agent for your applications: 

• High-quality cleaning solvents are designed for electronic assembly manufacturing applications, such as PCB and stencil cleaning. However, you can also find a non-solvent-based PCB cleaner that is semi-aqueous or aqueous. 

• If you choose a solvent-based cleaner, be sure to look into its formulation. A good PCB board cleaner is made of organic solvents for non-aqueous applications. It effectively removes most kinds of uncured SMT adhesives and raw solder paste residues, and it is effective on organic contaminants and residues of post-soldering flux.

• Make sure that the PCB cleaning solution evaporates well and leaves no distinctive or strong odors. Likewise, consider a cleaning solvent that will not require you to rinse it off. That way, you can save time and move on to the next stage of your manufacturing process.

• Look for a PCB cleaner that is non-corrosive, so it will be compatible with most PWA and stencil materials. Moreover, consider a formulation that can minimize the build-up of solids, so you can reduce the need for equipment maintenance.

• Go for a PCB board cleaner that is non-flammable and non-hazardous. A good cleaner does not contain any glycol ethers or amines to keep your workers safe, and no VOCs, so you do not have to apply for relevant permits.

In-Depth Knowledge about PV Ribbon Wire

“PV” is an acronym for Photo Voltaic, meaning something that produces current when struck by a molecule of natural light. Solar photovoltaics is a booming technology these days, with so many environmental concerns being raised be conventional sources of energy. The genius combination of solar photovoltaic materials and harnessing energy has made it possible to convert sunlight into electricity on a large scale. The PV ribbon wire is a very important component of photovoltaics. This blog will give you in-depth knowledge about PV ribbon wire.

What is PV ribbon?

Typically, a photovoltaic ribbon is a thin strip of copper which is heat coated with tin. This is the wire which is used to connect solar cells together in a solar module. The photovoltaic ribbon is attached directly to the silicon substrate on a solar cell, which enables it to collect the electricity produced in the cell. These PV ribbons then connect to the PV bus bar. In this manner, the current generated in the solar cells connected with one PV ribbon is sent to the PV bus bar. PV bus bar is also a PV ribbon which is slightly bigger than the interconnect ribbon used with solar cells.

Technical details of PV ribbon

The PV ribbon used as bus bars are about 3 to 6mm wide and 0.2 to 0.5mm thick, while those used for interconnection of solar cells are 1 to 3mm wide and 0.08 to 0.2mm thick. If you went out to buy one, you would typically find spools weighing anywhere between 50kg to 600kg. They contain tin (100%) as the lead free solder option, and SnPb 60/40 as the leaded option. You can find these ribbons in low temperature versions as well with Bismuth in the alloy.

Above are the major points you need to know about PV ribbon.

PV Ribbon Wire: How Are They Used And Where To Get Them

PV is the acronym for Photovoltaic. A photovoltaic material contains molecules that are capable of producing electricity from photons of light, thus the name. These materials are extensively used in solar powered applications in the form of ‘solar cells’. To convey the electricity produced in the material to the DC wires installed in solar-powered applications, many mini-connections are required to be made internally between the solar cells – which is where the photovoltaic ribbon wires are used. In this blog post, you will learn about PV ribbon wire.

How are photovoltaic ribbon wires used?

A photovoltaic ribbon is a flattened wire made of tinned copper which is installed in solar applications to collect the current produced by solar cells and deliver it to the consequent cables. The solar cell is a wafer-thin material made of mostly silicon, layered with other metals in between. Photovoltaic ribbon wire is directly soldered onto each solar cell, and interconnected with the next photovoltaic ribbon…and so on. When all the cells in a solar panel row relate to photovoltaic ribbon wire, the endpoints are then soldered to a bus bar, which accumulates all the current of that row and sends it further.

Where to find photovoltaic ribbon wires?

Photovoltaic ribbon wires are widely available on online stores these days. Many brands manufacture photovoltaic ribbons of different compositions and properties, which you can cherry-pick from as per suitability for various applications.

Solar PV ribbon wires need to be thoroughly efficient in doing their job because solar cell efficiency is still in its growing stage. A good solder bond will ensure there is no wastage in the conveyance of the energy produced. 

Important Industrial Solder Alloys and Their Uses

Knowing the right solder alloy to use for your application is critical to the success of any project. If the proper solder alloy isn’t chosen and correct plating requirements aren’t defined or flowed, it could result in rework and excessive scrap, or worse the failure of your application. There are many different types of solder alloys and concentrations used for all kinds of applications, but it is important to first have a general understanding of solder and how it works.

Solder is basically a metal wire that has a low melting point (or low enough for melting using a soldering iron). For electronics, solder is usually made from a combination of lead and tin. Tin has a much lower melting point than Lead, which means that higher tin concentrations means a lower solder melting point. Typically, you would find 60Sn/40Pb lead-based solders at gadget stores, although other minor variations are also sold. For industrial purposes, however, you would typically find two major categories of solder alloys, namely, flux cores, and lead-free.

Flux cores further comes in two common forms, such as Acid and Rosin. Acid flux core solder alloys are ideal for plumbing use and cannot/should not be used in electronics as it will likely erode your boards and components. For electronics purposes, choose rosin core. Lead-free alloys are what industry regulations and standards are leaning more towards. Because the EU is now requiring pretty much every commercially available electronics to use lead-free parts and components, this also means more demand for lead-free solders. Lead-free solders pretty much work exactly like lead-based solders, only they are more environmentally friendly. Lead is believed to be a very toxic material, which is why safer metals are now being used in its place. Lead-free solders, however are a lot harder to work with, as replacement metal alloys behave differently and don’t flow as well as lead.

The Secret to Perfect Solder Lines

Soldering is a valuable and critical skill to learn in many electronics and assembly applications. Achieving professional quality soldering requires clean, smooth, and uniform solder lines. Perfect solder lines are not only a sign of quality and craftsmanship, but also of durability and value, which is why perfecting soldering techniques is a must, especially for professionals who want to improve the quality of their work. While there are no hard and fast rules for perfecting solder lines, these guidelines will help you enhance your skills, build your confidence, and increase your precision in soldering:

• The perfect soldering lines start with the right tools. Choose high quality soldering equipment and supplies to help you avoid common mistakes and difficulties in soldering perfect and precise lines. Soldering irons with ceramic heating element and temperature controller (built in or separate) are ideal along with solder with a 60-40 mixture of alloys. Non-smoking, odorless liquid flux is also preferred.

• To perfect your lines and increase your precision takes a lot of practice and requires an understanding of how your own equipment works. Spend time practicing your lines and discovering the perfect temperatures or temperature ranges that create more refined lines as you work. It helps using a wet sponge or an abrasive pad to wipe off your iron’s tip periodically to keep gunk and residue from building up. Slow, constant strokes are ideal for creating perfect soldering lines. It is also better to keep your solder at a manageable length to help you keep your strokes consistent.

• Avoiding common problems will also help with perfecting your technique. Pits or bubbles, for instance, are typically caused by too much flux, while too little flux results in uneven and uncovered portions. Lumpy lines could mean that your iron isn’t hot enough, while spits and sputters may likewise be caused by excessive flux. Flat lines mean that your iron is moving too quickly or that you are using insufficient amounts of solder. Bulges on the other hand, mean slow movements and excessive use of solder.

Is Solder Dross Recyclable?

Solder dross is made up of layers of impurities and oxidized metal that collect on the solder’s surface and it is typically produced during the selective or wave soldering process. It is technically leftover solder that still has over 90 percent of metal in it, with drossing rate dependent on agitation, alloy type, and temperature. Instead of letting all the remaining metal go to waste, smart electronic assembly companies turn to solder dross recycling, which refines the recycled material into a new solder bar.

Solder dross recycling services are safe and environmentally friendly, and they allow you to meet legislative and environmental requirements of your city or state. Moreover, they enable you to maximize returns on solder dross, paste waste, and scraps. Reputable manufacturers of solder dross offer these services as a part of their commitment to be responsible for the environment, with recycling facilities located in key areas around the world. With their help, metal waste streams are responsibly and efficiently recycled into highly pure raw materials, which can be reused once more. They serve a wide array of markets including computers, telecommunications, automotive, power supply, semiconductor packaging, IT, photovoltaic, medical and military, television and displays, and LED.

The benefits of solder dross recycling apply to your business, too. The process itself is simple, as you only need to get in touch with an appropriate solder manufacturer that offers the service and make arrangements for pick-up. So, it should not have to disrupt your daily operations. Some recycling companies offer flexible custom programs that will suit your unique requirements, too.

                

When considering solder dross recycling, be sure to pick a reputable and dependable company that has a good track record. Check if they have a minimum weight requirement for pickup. Some companies can recycle any amount of dross you may have generated for the time being. Also check if they can provide you with the vessels, and make sure that there are no additional fees.

WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS YOU CAN RECYCLE FROM PCBs?

Rising electronic waste and its ill-effects on the environment are quickly becoming some of the biggest challenges that our generation is currently facing. Thankfully, options like recycling PCB components are becoming widely available and are allowing manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint and steer the industry towards a more sustainable future. This blog post will help explain the viability and value derived from PCB recycling.

Here is a list of all the elements that you can effectively recycle from a PCB.

Dross: Soldering of components can often produce a lot of oxidized waste alloy that can no longer be used on the PCB being manufactured. This oxidized metal, known as dross, can be effectively refined and purified for reuse through recycling of PCB components.

Precious metals: Most electronic components and circuit boards make use of precious metals like gold, silver, palladium, platinum and such for various purposes and applications. Scrap PCBs can be effectively recycled through electrolytic refining processes for extracting residual quantities of these metals which can later be used again in further manufacturing/processing.

Other metals: The large variety of industrial components found on a PCB can also be recycled to reclaim metals like tin, bismuth, lead and different alloys. Reclaiming of these metals involves careful processing of parts like radiator drips, scrap alloys, solder paste and more.

Anode butts: High metallic return is usually expected from the recycling of this part of a PCB. The part of the anode that is left behind post completion of the electroplating process is usually free from contaminants and can yield residual metals in an extremely cost effective manner.

The law now completely prohibits the dumping of printed circuit boards in landfills to prevent the ill effects of residual metals on the ecology. With the option of recycling PCB components, there is now a viable means to extract true value from this scrap and prevent further damage caused to the environment.