Is cleaning lead-free in a batch washer possible?

In short, the answer is yes.

Like most short answers, the devil is in the details. Over the past five years lead-free materials have been evolving at a furious rate, with new materials being introduced constantly throughout the world. Some of these newer materials are a bit easier to clean, however generally lead-free materials remain the most difficult cleaning challenge faced by our industry.

But they must be clean, so materials suppliers such as Kyzen have been on its own furious innovation curve. While many of the older legacy cleaning products available on the market have the good fortune of cleaning some lead-free materials, they certainly were not designed for lead-free. Generally when they do work, they require elevated process conditions that can have a negative affect on cost of ownership. So the first thing to remember when designing a cleaning process for lead-free is to pick modern materials — products introduced in the 21st century though the last three or four years is better.

Just as not all modern cleaning materials are of equal capabilities, the same is true for cleaning equipment. In particular, batch processes have been most challenged by lead-free over the past five years. Conveyorized cleaning systems have the option of employing very large pumps and many nozzle manifolds to enhance their performance. Batch designs are far more footprint constrained, which are highly desirable to their users. In addition, the parts to be cleaned remain almost totally stationary putting even more demands on the cleaning agents.

One additional challenge associated with batch cleaning is the substantial exposure time required to accomplish the cleaning goal. Early lead-free materials commonly exhibited poor solder joint finishes, masking negatively the inadequacies the legacy technologies had on the finish. New lead-free products provide much improved finishes, some truly mirrored. Modern cleaning materials not only clean these lead-free residues in a batch cleaner, but they also do so with no adverse affects on the solder finish.

So yes, you can clean lead-free in a batch, with solid modern cleaning agents and equipment. Those attempting to clean with antiquated equipment or cleaning materials will face many challenges that can be avoided.