n-Propyl Bromide (nPB) Determined Unacceptable Risk by EPA for Vapor Degreasing & Aerosols
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that n-propyl bromide (aka. nPB, 1-Bromopropane, 1-BP, CAS 106-94-5) “presents an unreasonable risk for 16 conditions of use” in an August, 2020 report. “Nontechnical...
Read This Post
How do you prevent the valve from clogging up when using aerosol conformal coating?
I suggest you get into the habit of clearing the valve after every use. You turn the can upside-down and spray until it only sprays propellant. If you don’t do that, you run the risk of dried coating building up in the valve or actuator...
Read This Post
How to Avoid Products with Methanol Contamination
Note: Chemtronics does not manufacture or sell hand sanitizer, but offers alcohol-based products that are commonly used for surface cleaning. The FDA has issued a warning about methanol contamination in over 75 different hand sanitizers on...
Read This Post
What is desoldering wick made of?
Desoldering braid (wick) is made of fine strands of ultra-pure copper woven and coated with flux. Its geometrically precise weave design allows for maximum capillary action and solder capacity. Soder-wick optimizes heat transfer through the...
Read This Post
How do you use a desoldering wick?
Place the braid over unwanted solder, preferably on the greatest solder build up so that it maximizes the contact of the braid to the surface area of the solder. Next, place your iron tip over the wick at 45 degrees and allow heat to transfer...
Read This Post
Does solder wick expire?
Yes. As the copper is exposed to the open air, oxygen and moisture in the air interacts and oxidizes the copper. This oxidation is most apparent by the color of the wick. The brighter the copper, the fresher the wick. Oxidized copper will darken...
Read This Post
Are you supposed to cut off the solder wick before or after you use it?
The temptation is to desolder an area and keep moving up the spool of braid. However, it’s best to work towards the end of the braid to isolate the heat. Once the desoldering braid is brought up to soldering temperature, the flux has been...
Read This Post
What is a solder wick?
Desoldering braid or “wick” is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed. The soldering iron is applied to the wick as it sits...
Read This Post
Are swabs available for cleaning static sensitive electronics?
Yes, Chemtronics offers a full line of ESD swabs. They include foam, knit polyester, or knit microfiber heads with static dissipative handles. The proprietary handle material has surface resistivity of 1.0 x 10_10 ohms/sq, and will dissipate...
Read This Post
Are Q-tips / cotton bud swabs lint free?
No, cotton bud swabs (aka Q-tips) can’t be considered lint-free. Cotton tends to lead behind threads and particulates. Open cell polyurethane foam swabs are a common, very clean replacement for cotton. If harsh solvents are being used...
Read This Post
