Devices for measuring surface ionic pollution

The cleanliness of the surface of electronic circuit boards is becoming more critical nowadays than before. With the automotive electronics industry, the requirement for a high level of reliability in mass production appeared. The long-term reliability of the equipment (avoidance of corrosion, unwanted conduction, or electrochemical migration), the adequate adhesion of various protective coatings (e.g. unwanted conduction coating) basically depends on the ionic contamination of the surface. The surface ionic contamination measuring equipment measure the ionic impurities left on the surface of the assembled board after the soldering process, mainly from flux residues, which are important for the subsequent, continuous reliable operation of the circuit. The ContaminometerTM instruments measure with extreme accuracy, even with very low conductivity. Different types are suitable for different panel sizes. The BBT device is used to detect surface ion contamination of bare (non populated) circuit boards. CM series instruments are also used in US Military test programs. The convenient use of the instruments is supported by Windows-based software. 
The equipment of the CM+ series proved that it meets the 6 sigma requirements in a series of industrial use tests. The equipment is suitable for both traditional ROSE (Resistivity of Solvent Extract) and the new PICT (Process Ionic Contamination Testing) method.