Standard of Excellence: Turning Negative Customer Feedback Into Positive Outcomes
Smart Automation: The Growing Role of Additive Manufacturing
Global Citizenship: Redefining Connection and Responsibility in Digital Transformation
Tips & Tricks: Humidity Level for Electronics Assembly
April 10, 2019 | Jason Fullerton, MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsEstimated reading time: Less than a minute
What is the suggested humidity level for an electronics assembly facility? Do the same limits apply within a 100,000-class cleanroom?
Humidity limits are a combination of ESD control (at the low end) and suitability for use with assembly materials (at both ends).
Low relative humidity (RH) can allow for higher static charges to build on objects. J-STD-001G requires an assessment of the suitability of ESD controls when the RH drops below 30%. This is the primary concern in a cleanroom environment due to the typically higher level of sensitivity of the parts that require cleanroom assembly environments.
Low RH can also affect solder pastes, especially OR-class pastes. Some of the volatile ingredients in the paste formula can be more susceptible to effects from a low RH environment, and this can reduce print performance and stencil life. High RH environments can lead to poor slump resistance of pastes. The range at which pastes are affected by RH will vary based on formulation, so you will need to consult the manufacturer and technical documentation for any paste product.
Jason Fullerton is the customer technical support engineer at the Assembly Division of MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions.
Share on:
Suggested Items
KYZEN Focuses on Aqueous Cleaning and Stencil Cleaning at SMTA Wisconsin
04/24/2025 | KYZEN'KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries, will exhibit at the SMTA Wisconsin Expo and Tech Forum, scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 6 at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport. KYZEN will be on-site to provide attendees with information about aqueous cleaning chemistry AQUANOX A4618 and stencil cleaner KYZEN E5631J.
SMTA Bridging the Skills Gap in Arizona
04/24/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007One area where SMTA really excels is through its local chapters. On April 16, 2025, I-Connect007's Marcy LaRont attended the Workforce Breakfast during the SMTA Arizona Expo & Tech Forum in Mesa, which featured more than 50 electronics professionals from the local area, including defense OEMs, and others who were attending for the first time. Blackfox and Hyrel Technologies sponsored the event. The keynote presentation featured Sean Denny, a professor at Estrella Mountain Community College, who emphasized a clear need for skilled hand soldering technicians.
IPC Releases Version 2.0 of IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange, with Expanded Device Coverage and Smarter Data
04/23/2025 | IPCIPC announces the release of IPC-2591, Connected Factory Exchange (CFX), Version 2.0, the global standard for plug-and-play, machine-to-machine, and machine-to-system communication for digital manufacturing.
ViTrox Marks 25 Years of Innovation with Cutting-Edge Solutions at NEPCON China 2025 in Shanghai
04/18/2025 | ViTrox TechnologiesViTrox, which aims to be the World’s Most Trusted Technology Company, is proud to announce its participation in NEPCON China 2025, taking place from April 22–24, 2025, at Booth #1E45, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre (SWEECC).
Indium Experts to Present on Power Electronics at PCIM Europe 2025
04/17/2025 | Indium CorporationAs one of the leading materials providers to the power electronics assembly and e-Mobility industries, Indium Corporation experts will share their technical insight and knowledge on a variety of industry-related topics throughout PCIM Europe, May 6-8, in Nuremberg, Germany.