Silicon oil leakage on PCB - how to remove?

[Rich Grise]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 15:28:05 +0200, René wrote:

Hi All,

We have a product containing a PCB filled with high-speed DSP's and
such (Video conference Codec). Above this PCB a mechanical damper is
placed to dampen the motion of a lid that can flip open.

We are now faced with malfunctioning dampers, causing Silicone Oil to
leak on the PCB.
Although the stuff seems non-conductive, the PCB's affected faithfully
stop working.

Well, you didn't ask, but the long-term solution is to replace the oil-
filled damper with an air dashpot.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[legg]

On Wed, 27 Apr 2005 15:28:05 +0200, RenŽ <rjz~nospam~@xs4all.nl>
wrote:

Hi All,

We have a product containing a PCB filled with high-speed DSP's and
such (Video conference Codec). Above this PCB a mechanical damper is
placed to dampen the motion of a lid that can flip open.

We are now faced with malfunctioning dampers, causing Silicone Oil to
leak on the PCB.
Although the stuff seems non-conductive, the PCB's affected faithfully
stop working.

Questions:

1. How does Silicone Oil affect the electronics? (my meter can
measure up to 40 MOhm, but registers nothing - does the presence of
other materials / voltages etc. cause some reaction?)

2. Is there a way to get rid of the stuff and get the expensive
PCB working again? Wiping off does not seem to cut it - I fear some
irreversible chemical transformation took place.

Vapor-phase degreasing with perchlorethelene was effective in the 80s,
but chlorinated solvents have been restricted materials for some time
now. They also damage most non-hermetic electrolytic devices.

The dishwasher, though appearing simplistic, is actually fairly
practical if grosely hygroscopic materials aren't present. A
de-ionizing rinse, before air brushing and a controlled bake-out, is
advised as a following treatment.

RL