[TowerTalk] re; Whiskers growing where you cannot shave them

[Jamesnf@aol.com]

Not so Tom.  Although much progress has been made with "no-clean" solders, 
dendrite growth is still an issue when pc board assemblies are exposed to 
humidity.  To remove flux residues after waveline or smt reflow soldering processes, 
it was common to use either chemical or deionized water board washers 
followed by dryers.  Eventually, the EPA banned the CFC emissions and the deionized 
washers were expensive and a mess to maintain, so "no-clean" solders took the 
lead. Believe me, we wouldn't have gone to all this trouble in the industry if 
whiskers only formed in a high vacuum.

Regards,

Jim W9TM