Ionic Contamination Testing – Absolute EMS, Inc., a Silicon Valley–based provider of high-technology electronics manufacturing services, has recently installed a Zero Ion Ionic Contamination Tester from Aqueous Technologies to enhance its ability to monitor and verify the cleanliness of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs).
The Zero Ion is a Resistivity of Solvent Extract (ROSE) testing system designed to detect and quantify ionic residues on electronic assemblies and bare circuit boards. Using dynamic measurement technology, the system provides sensitive, repeatable cleanliness measurements to help manufacturers monitor cleaning processes and verify that assemblies meet applicable cleanliness requirements.
Ionic contamination can result from flux residues, soldering processes, handling, and other manufacturing activities. Although these residues may not be visible during standard inspection, they can contribute to electrochemical migration, corrosion, electrical leakage, and premature product failures. By identifying and quantifying ionic contamination, the Zero Ion helps manufacturers detect potential cleanliness issues before products reach customers.
The system will support Absolute EMS’s ongoing quality assurance efforts by providing objective data on assembly cleanliness, helping the company monitor process consistency, identify potential deviations, and maintain documentation for quality control and customer requirements. Its statistical process control (SPC) data logging capabilities also support the analysis of cleanliness trends and ongoing process improvement.
“Maintaining consistent cleanliness is an important part of producing reliable electronic assemblies,” said Mark Sika, President of Absolute EMS. “The addition of the Zero Ion gives us another tool to verify our manufacturing processes, identify potential contamination issues, and support the quality and reliability our customers expect.”
The investment reinforces Absolute EMS’s commitment to process control, product reliability, and continuous improvement in electronics manufacturing.
For more information about Absolute EMS and its electronics manufacturing services, visit www.absolute-ems.com.
