

Alessandro MorettiPh.D.Italy
Laser-Based Additive ManufacturingPublished
Dec 16, 2025
Soldering Flux Residue Contamination
Solder-flux contamination forms during electronics soldering operations, as rosin-based and no-clean fluxes deposit resinous residues on substrates. This layer, it adheres tenaciously to copper and brass, which distinguishes it from water-soluble types by its non-volatile, sticky persistence that manifests under exposure. On PCB surfaces, the contamination exhibits strong bonding dependent from humidity, posing removal challenges like chemical resistance, yet laser cleaning effectively ablates it precisely, without damaging the underlying materials.
Safety Information
Critical safety data for laser removal operations
Fire/Explosion Risk
low
Toxic Gas Risk
moderate
Visibility Hazard
moderate
Required Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory Protection
half_mask
Eye Protection
goggles
Skin Protection
gloves
Hazardous Fumes Generated
| Compound | Concentration | Exposure Limit | Hazard Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 0.5-5.0 mg/m³ | 0.37 mg/m³ | carcinogenic | ✓ Within Limit |
| Phenol | 0.2-2.0 mg/m³ | 19 mg/m³ | toxic | ✓ Within Limit |
| Acetic Acid | 1.0-8.0 mg/m³ | 25 mg/m³ | irritant | ✓ Within Limit |
| Rosin-based resin acids | 2.0-15.0 mg/m³ | 5 mg/m³ | irritant | ✓ Within Limit |
Ventilation Requirements
Air Changes Per Hour
12
Exhaust Velocity
0.5 m/s
Filtration Type
carbon
Particulate Generation
Respirable Fraction
70%
Size Range
0.1 - 10 μm
Substrate Compatibility Warnings
- •Laser parameters must be optimized to avoid substrate damage to underlying metals
- •Thermal decomposition increases with higher laser power and slower scanning speeds
- •May generate heavy smoke on non-metallic substrates

