Re: gEDA-user: Isopropyl alcohol vs. ethanol

[Marvin Dickens <marvindickens@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Karel Kulhavy wrote:
> Is it true that PCB's should be washed by isopropyl alcohol and not
> ethanol because ethanol has small molecules that creep into the part
> cases and wreak havoc there?
>
>   
I've never heard of washing PCB's in ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. 
In fact, - Yuk.

Both isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol are both  reasonably flammable 
at 70% purity or above.
Further, isopropyl alcohol has a low vapor pressure. In the long term, 
without a well thought out
ventilation system, flash fires would occur (Not if- but when....).

We wash our boards in a mild solution of distilled water, clear ammonia 
and a mild surfactant.
This is followed with a wash with distilled water. The boards are then 
dried for several
hours in a drying oven.



Best


Marvin