PCBA Pollution: Understanding Contaminants and Their Impact
Primary Sources of Contamination:
- Components and oxidation of the PCB
- Residues from flux during manufacturing
- Marks from handling and welding
- Workplace pollutants like dust and solvents
The Impact of Pollution:
Contamination can lead to:
- Corrosion of PCBA
- Electromigration causing short circuits
- Reduced coating effectiveness
- Coating cracks and reliability issues
Typical PCBA Failure Problems Due to Contamination:
- Corrosion: Leads to circuit failures
- Electromigration: Causes dendritic growth and short circuits
- Poor Electrical Contact: Increases contact resistance
The Necessity of Cleaning:
- Appearance and Electrical Performance Requirements: Residues affect appearance and performance
- Three-proof Coating Requirements: Cleaning improves coating adhesion
- Even “No-Clean” Assemblies Require Cleaning: Residues impact reliability and safety
It’s crucial to address PCBA contamination to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
