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From: dino@ddsw1.UUCP (Laura Watson)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.physics
Subject: Re: Enzyme action
Message-ID: <249@ddsw1.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Oct-87 09:12:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: ddsw1.249
Posted: Fri Oct  9 09:12:08 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 12-Oct-87 00:47:40 EDT
References: <240@ddsw1.UUCP> <2084@kitty.UUCP>
Reply-To: dino@ddsw1.UUCP (Laura Watson)
Organization: Traveller's Aid, Mundelein, IL
Lines: 30
Keywords: More to the point....
Xref: mnetor sci.bio:710 sci.physics:2462

In article <2084@kitty.UUCP> larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) writes:
>	Without considering any chemistry based upon an enzyme, there are
>a number of solvents which will dissolve rosin: ethyl alcohol, isopropyl
>alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), perchlorethylene, various freon
>degreasing solvents, turpentine, and dilute sodium or potassium hydroxide
>solutions.
>	The choice of solvent should be dictated by the susceptability of
>the item being cleaned to solvent damage.  Isopropyl alcohol is probably
>the safest of any solvent, but is by no means the most effective.  Acetone
>and MEK work like gangbusters, but will damage many types of paint and
>plastics.  The use of dilute alkalies is particularly useful for removing
>sap from concrete driveways (save the runoff and make Pine-Sol :-) ).

This is all very true, and the above solvents are all quite well known to
me.  However, in the application I am thinking of, solvents will not
do the job because of their surface tension.  On a "Surface-Mount" type
of PC board, the chips, resistors, etc. are very close to the board.  
Close enough to create a capillary.  Solvent removal of the rosin flux
is possible, but very very difficult.  You have to fill the capillary
spaces and then break the surface tension over and over again to 
get the goo out.  

I figured with some kind of enzyme chemistry, I might only have to 
create and break the capillaries once.  And thus, you know, like
save money or something. 

-- 
Laura Watson             ...ihnp4!ddsw1!dino

May you always have the strength to enjoy your weaknesses.