Aqueous Cleaning Aqueous cleaning systems can be used for most electronic circuit boards, including both surface mount and through hole technologies. In general, aqueous cleaning systems consist of a wash cycle, a rinse cycle, followed by one or more drying cycles. Aqueous cleaning solutions are water based and can contain a combination of water conditioners, alkalinity builders, and a variety of organic surfactants. The alkalinity builders help neutralize the acidic nature of applied fluxes. The surfactants displace particulates from surfaces that are being cleaned.
Tap water is usually sufficient for the initial stages of aqueous cleaning.
Rinse stages should use deionized water. Ions such as calcium and magnesium present in the water during the rinse stages can cause corrosion problems. Currently there are no industry standard levels of water deionization. Through experimentation it is possible to find an adequate deionization level for a particular application. Agitation during the wash cycle of aqueous cleaning systems dramatically increases cleaning efficiency.