Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!rrr
From: rrr@cup.portal.com (Roger Rock Rosner)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: nasty fluorocarbons--BIOACT EC-7
Message-ID: <14959@cup.portal.com>
Date: 23 Feb 89 01:03:13 GMT
References: <24497@amdcad.AMD.COM> <7110013@hpcupt1.HP.COM> <14859@cup.portal.com> <1989Feb21.174821.8837@utzoo.uucp>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 21


A *partial* solution to the problem does exist.  I recently worked for
an electronics firm that did small amounts of PCB rework.  We switched
from CFC-based cleaners to a solvent called, I think, Bioact EC-7.  It
is made from oranges (and actually has a pleasant odor). 

The company is based in Florida--where else?--and they'll probably send
you a free sample quart. 

It worked quite well for us--in some cases better than CFC goop.  The
only problem is that you MUST rinse the cleaned boards in water.  Thus
you can't use water-sensitive parts and you have to wait for the boards
to dry.  (Also, according to their warnings some plastics are sensitive
to the solvent.  We never had a problem with this.)

One big plus is that it is much cheaper than CFC-based solvents.

Sorry to say, I no longer have any further info on the company.  I'll
try to find more...

-Roger