EPA/600/R-99/004VS
February 1999
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
&EPA
Office of Research and Development
Washington D.C. 20460
E
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION STATEMENT
TECHNOLOGY TYPE:
APPLICATION:
TECHNOLOGY NAME:
COMPANY:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
FAX:
ULTRASONIC AQUEOUS CLEANING SYSTEMS
CLEANING PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD STENCILS
SMART SONIC®
SMART SONIC CORPORATION
2373 TELLER ROAD, #107
NEWBURY PARK, CALIFORNIA 91320
(805) 499-7440
(805) 375-5781
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created a program to facilitate the deployment of
innovative environmental technologies through performance verification and information dissemina-
tion. The goal of the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program is to enhance environ-
mental protection by substantially accelerating the acceptance and use of innovative, improved, and
more cost-effective technologies. The ETV Program is intended to assist and inform those individu-
als in need of credible data for the design, distribution, permitting, and purchase of environmental
technologies. This verification statement provides a summary of performance results for the Smart
Sonic Aqueous Cleaning Systems, registered trademark SMART SONIC®.
PROGRAM OPERATION
The EPA's ETV Program, in partnership with recognized testing organizations, objectively and
systematically documents the performance of commercial ready environmental technologies. To-
gether, with the full participation of the technology developer, they develop plans, conduct tests,
collect and analyze data, and report findings. Verifications are conducted according to a rigorous
workplan and established protocols for quality assurance. Where existing data are used, the data
must have been collected by independent sources using similar quality assurance protocols. EPA's
ETV Program, through the National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), has
partnered with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) under an ETV Pilot
Project to verify pollution prevention, recycling, and waste treatment technologies.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
Smart Sonic Corporation developed the Model 2000 and Model 4200 ultrasonic aqueous cleaning
systems to replace l,l,2-trichloro-l,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113), 1,1,1-frichloroethane (1,1,1-
TCA) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) based systems used in the electronics industry to clean various
types of solder pastes from printed circuit board stencils.
Smart Sonic's stencil cleaning technology consists of Smart Sonic's proprietary 440-R SMT Deter-
gent®, ultrasonic generator and 40 kHz piezoelectric transducers, stainless steel wash tank, rinse tank
(included in semi-automated system), and control devices.
The semi-automated Model 2000 system is approximately 3 feet high with a 40 x 44 inch base . This
unit has a separate wash tank and a manual rinse station. The automated Model 4200 system is
approximately 50 inches high with a 36 x 62 inch base. The pneumatic lift used on this model
extends 36 inches for a total system height of 86 inches. This system has one tank for washing with
an automated rinse over the wash tank.
Model 2000
Model 4200
440-R SMT Detergent
The combination of Smart Sonic's 440-R SMT Detergent and ultrasonics enables the removal of
solder pastes from printed circuit board stencils. Detergent surfactants act as wetting agents to
saturate the solder paste layer that is left on the stencil surface (from solder paste printing operation).
The ultrasonics then produce an intense scrubbing action, through cavitation and implosion of
microscopic bubbles that enhances removal of the saturated solder paste layer. Ultrasonics are often
more effective in cleaning hard-to-reach surfaces (i.e., small stencil apertures) than brushes and hand
wipes. The cleaning bath is operated at room temperature, eliminating any potential effects to
stencil from cleaning solutions requiring higher temperatures.
FEBRUARY 1999
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EVALUATION DESCRIPTION
Between May and September 1998, an evaluation of two ultrasonic aqueous cleaning systems,
developed by the Smart Sonic Corporation, was conducted using field and laboratory qualitative and
quantitative data. The aqueous cleaning systems include Smart Sonic's Model 2000 and Model 4200
systems. The objectives of this evaluation were to verify, through independent sources, the
following performance parameters:
• the ability to remove RMA (rosin mildly activated), no-clean, and water washable solder pastes
from printed circuit board stencils;
• the content of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and halogenated compounds in the cleaning
systems; and
• characteristics or conditions from use of this technology which may pose a significant hazard to
public health and the environment.
The evaluation consisted of:
- cleaning performance validation through on-site visits of end-users and further validation through
additional end-user phone contacts;
- laboratory testing for select VOCs and halogenated compounds by California's SCAQMD using
SCAQMD's Clean Air Solvent (CAS) Certification Protocol (CAS Protocol uses SCAQMD Test
Method 313 - gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer);
- laboratory testing for metals and pH by DTSC's Hazardous Materials Laboratory using EPA Test
Method 6010/7470 and EPA Test Method 9040 respectively;
- toxicological review of laboratory results and aqueous cleaner ingredients to determine if
potential hazards to human health or the environment exist; and
- industrial hygiene review of cleaning systems information manual and on-site safety
observations.
Details of the evaluation, including data summaries and discussion of results may be found in the
report entitled " US EPA Environmental Technology Verification Report, Smart Sonic Aqueous
Cleaning Systems, SMART SONIC® (EPA/600/R-99/004)."
FEBRUARY 1999
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VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE
Performance results of Smart Sonic Corporation's aqueous cleaning systems, Model 2000 and
Model 4200, are as follows:
• Cleaning Efficiency: In five facilities visited, DTSC's Project Team found no solder paste in
stencil apertures when observed at 10X magnification. The size of stencil apertures ranged from
12-50 mil (1 mil=.001 inch). All end-users removed excess solder paste from stencil prior to
cleaning in the Smart Sonic aqueous cleaning systems. Cleaning times ranged from 60-90
seconds. Four of the five end-users visited were using a 10% concentration of Smart Sonic's
440-R SMT Detergent (10%'concentration recommended by Smart Sonic). The fifth end-user
was using a 5% detergent concentration for removing water washable solder paste.
[Additional Information: Eight additional end-users contacted via phone were satisfied with the
Smart Sonic stencil cleaning systems and stated that the systems clean consistently and as good,
if not better, than the previously used cleaning systems. Previously used systems included CFC-
113, 1,1,1-TCA and IP A. Alcohol and wipes were the most commonly used cleaning method.]
• VOC Content: The 440-R SMT Detergent does not contain VOCs or halogenated compounds at a
detection limit of 0.01% (v/v) using the SCAQMD's CAS Certification Protocol.
• Metals Content: Metals analyses conducted by DTSC's Hazardous Materials Laboratory indicate
that samples of Smart Sonic's 440-R SMT Detergent concentrate showed no hazardous metals
above method detection limits.
• pH Measurement: pH measurements conducted by DTSC's Hazardous Materials Laboratory
indicates a 440-R SMT Detergent concentrate pH of 13. pH measurements conducted by
DTSC's Project Team during on-site visits (using pH indicator paper with pH range 0-14)
showed cleaning bath pH of 11 when using 10% 440-R SMT Detergent concentration.
• Worker Health and Safety: While using Smart Sonic Aqueous Cleaning Systems, Model 2000
and 4200, end-users should follow Smart Sonic's recommended safety practices as outlined in
the User's Manual and 440-R SMT Detergent Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The only
significant toxicity associated with the 440-R SMT Detergent concentrate is acute toxicity due to
its highly alkaline nature. DTSC's Industrial Hygienist recommends end-users have an eye wash
station and an MSDS available within close proximity to the cleaning systems.
FEBRUARY 1999
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Results of the verification show that the Smart Sonic ultrasonic aqueous cleaning systems, Model
2000 and 4200, are capable of removing RMA (rosin mildly activated), no-clean, and water
washable solder pastes from printed circuit board stencils such that no solder paste remains in stencil
apertures at 10X magnification, provided that end-users follow Smart Sonic's cleaning guidelines.
The Model 2000 and 4200 cleaning systems do not contain select volatile organic compounds and
halogenated compounds above detection limit of 0.01% (v/v) using SCAQMD's CAS Certification
Protocol (April 1997). End-users should follow Smart Sonic's operational and safety guidelines.
End-users should contact their stencil manufacturer prior to changing their cleaning process.
Changing from solvents to aqueous cleaning systems may require stencil modifications to make the
cleaning system and stencil compatible. In addition, the end-user should contact his/her local, state,
or federal regulatory authority regarding management of spent hazardous wastes generated from use
of the Smart Sonic aqueous cleaning systems (i.e., spent cleaning baths, rinse baths, and solids
containing lead).
E. Timothy Oppeft' Date
Director
National Risk Management Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
United States Environmental
Protection Agency
ffes T. Allen, Ph.D., Chief Date
ice of Pollution Prevention
Technology Development
Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Environmental Protection Agency
and1
NOTICE: Verifications are based on an evaluation of technology performance under specific,
predetermined criteria and the appropriate quality assurance procedures. EPA and Cal/EPA make no
expressed or implied warranties as to the performance of the technology. The end-user is solely
responsible for complying with any and all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
FEBRUARY 1999
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Availability of Verification Statement and Report
Copies of the public Verification Statement (EPA/600/R-99/004VS) and
Verification Report (EPA/600/R-99/004) are available from the following:
(Note: Appendices are not included in the Verification Report.
Appendices are available from DTSC upon request.)
1. USEPA/NSCEP
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242-2419
Web site: http://www.epa.gov/etv/library.htm (electronic copy)
http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ (order hard copy)
2. Department of Toxic Substances Control
Office of Pollution Prevention and
Technology Development
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, California 95812-0806
Web site: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/sppt/opptoVetv/txppetvp.htni
or http://www.epa.gov/erv (click on partners)
FEBRUARY 1999
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