How to Clean Circuit Board Corrosion

Printed Circuit Boards form the backbone of our modern electronic gadgets. Very intricately designed and fragile, they are unfortunately prone to corrosion, often leading to performance degradations, malfunctioning, or even complete failure. This article describes how to deal effectively with circuit board corrosion.

Understanding Circuit Board Corrosion

Corrosion is one of the most common happenings in electronics, owing to reactions between the environment and the metal parts of the board. The presence of moisture, oxygen, and contaminants can initiate the oxidation of metals, thus leading to corrosion. Following are a few common forms:

Galvanic Corrosion: This occurs between two dissimilar metals when the conditions are moist and these come into contact.

Pitting Corrosion: Characterized by the metal showing small holes or "pits".

It occurs in areas, such as narrow grooves, where water may stagnate.

Signs of Corrosion on Circuit Boards

Early detection of corrosion can save your electronics. Look for:

Colored or fuzzy areas on the board .

Strange smells-many times a symptom of an advanced stage of corrosion.

Disturbed flow of electricity-resulting in erratic behavior or complete failure.

Overheating because of the increased resistance.

Before cleaning, ensure safety and preparation for cleaning are accounted for with the following:

Switch off all power sources to your device and remove batteries if necessary.

Carefully disassemble your device to access the circuit board by documenting what parts go in where for easier reassembly later.

Keep your workspace clean so that you can find all parts when you put back the device.

Things You Will Be Needing

To clean the corrosion on a circuit board, you will need the following material:

Isopropyl alcohol of at least 90%

Soft brush, preferably a toothbrush

Cotton swabs

Gloves to wear

Precision screwdrivers

A tray to lay all the pieces in

Step-by-Step Corrosion Cleaning

Loose Corrosion Removal

Take a soft-bristled brush and gently sweep off any loose corrosion. Avoid hard scrubbing as it may cause damage.

Isopropyl Alcohol Application

Dip the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and lightly scrub the corroded area. Be able to reach into tiny crevices. Isopropyl alcohol breaks down corrosion, and its evaporation rate helps reduce the risk of water damage.

Application of Alternate Cleaning Solutions

If isopropyl alcohol is unavailable, mix vinegar and baking soda together for effectiveness. Apply the paste to corroded areas and scrub gently with a soft brush. Then, rinse with deionized water and make sure the board is completely dry before reassembling.

Drying and Reassembling Your Circuit Board

Ensure It is Completely Dry

Remaining moisture encourages further corrosion. To hasten the drying process, use a hairdryer or low-heat compressed air. If in doubt, check for moisture with a multimeter.

Reassembly and Testing

Reassemble your device carefully, putting everything in its place. Patience is very important to avoid mistakes. Test the device for functionality. If problems persist, you may have to disassemble and clean again.

How to Prevent Future Corrosion

Routine Maintenance and Inspection

Check your circuit boards from time to time for any signs of corrosion. Cleaning it immediately can stop further damage from setting in.

Environmental Controls and Protective Coatings

Keep electronics in a cool, dry place. Use silica gel packets to absorb moisture. Protective coatings can create a barrier against corroding substances. Whenever applying protective coatings, follow instructions by the manufacturer.

When to Seek Professional Help

If the corrosion is more serious or beyond your league, then seek professional help. Professionals have proper equipment and may deal with hard corrosion, sometimes replacing worn-out components.

Conclusion and Final Checklist

Cleaning corrosion from a circuit board is an intimidating but quite doable job with proper tools and advice. As you wind up, make sure you have:

cleaned the board using a soft brush,

Applied isopropyl alcohol or other cleaning solutions.

Dried the board perfectly.

Reassembled the device correctly.

Applied preventive measures.

Cleaning electronics successfully calls for patience and a soft touch. If in doubt, consult professional service.