ABSTRACT
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Chemistry and Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Environmental/Regulatory Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Health and Safety Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Performance Assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Silicone Conformal Coating Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Process Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
OVERVIEW
A new class of fluid chemistry has been introduced to the precision and industrial cleaning markets, based on linear and cyclic volatile methylsiloxane (VMS). The use of a silicone-based cleaner may seem “counterintuitive” to some people, since the low surface tension of silicone contamination has historically made it very difficult to remove. However, in a cleaning solvent the low surface tension becomes a definite asset, since it helps wet out and undercut soils. Dragout is also reduced, because of the low viscosity of the liquid. One of the keys to success with what appears at first to be an unlikely technology is the ability to manufacture VMS that dries with ultralow nonvolatile residue (NVR) so that it will evaporate completely, leaving behind a clean surface.
