Blog

Explore the latest insights and updates from Magnalytix.

October 5, 2026

No-Clean Flux Residue: When It's Safe and When It Needs Cleaning

No-clean flux residue is safe to leave on a board only when the flux was fully heated, applied in the right amount, and left undisturbed. Break any of those conditions and the same residue can hold live activators that cause leakage currents, dendrites, and corrosion....

July 23, 2026

What Objective Evidence Actually Means

The phrase "objective evidence" in the context of Section 8 Cleanliness refers to documented, measurable, process-specific data that demonstrates that a cleaning or no-clean process produces assemblies that meet reliability requirements for their intended use environment....

June 25, 2026

Advancing Objective Evidence to IPC J-STD-001 Section 8 Cleanliness Reliability

How the electronics manufacturing community is building a more rigorous, data-driven framework for ionic contamination control – and why the stakes have never been higher....

May 12, 2026

SIR Testing Determines the Risk of Flux Residue under Component Terminations

Surface Insulation Resistance (SIR) testing assesses the risk of flux residue at component terminations by measuring the extent of electrical insulation degradation when flux residues are exposed to heat, humidity, and electrical bias. If flux residues under QFNs, BGAs, or other bottom-terminated components are conductive or hygroscopic, SIR values drop....

March 31, 2026

Detecting Flux Residues under QFNs using Glass SIR Chiplets

Flux residues trapped under QFN bottom terminations pose a well-documented reliability risk because the extremely low standoff prevents proper outgassing. This can lead to leak currents, electrochemical migration, dendritic growth, and long-term field failures. Harsh climatic environments combine heat and moisture to put this problem in motion. ...

February 24, 2026

Moisture Retention Between Electronic Conductors

Small component pitch – meaning very tight spacing between pads, traces, or terminations – creates a perfect storm of electrical, mechanical, and contamination-driven risks. It’s one of the most important component layout factors in modern electronics because shrinking pitch amplifies every weakness in the assembly process and the operating environment. ...

February 3, 2026

Deliquescent Behavior of Water-Soluble Fluxes

Organic acid (water-soluble) fluxes used in electronics are composed of polar molecules – primarily weak organic acids – dissolved in highly polar solvents such as water or water/alcohol blends. Their polarity is essential for oxide removal, ionic mobility, and post-solder cleaning. ...

January 6, 2026

How does flux residue influence condensation and failure?

The combination of flux residue and condensation creates a perfect environment for electrochemical reactions. This is why using proven, reliable cleaning or low-residue/no-clean fluxes under harsh conditions is critical. ...

December 9, 2025

What are Flux Activators and Why do they Pose a Corrosion Risk?

Flux activators are chemical additives used in Solder Paste and Fluxes to remove oxides from metal alloys and improve solderability. These activators chemically react with the oxide layer on the metal surface via acid-base or reduction reactions. Organic carboxylic acids react with metal oxides to form soluble metal carboxylate salts and water....

November 19, 2025

Does Selective Soldering cause ECM Failures on Mixed Technology PCBAs?

Selective Soldering is preferred over manual and wave soldering because it offers higher precision and consistency for mixed-technology PCBs. The selective soldering process is a precise method for soldering specific through-hole components on the PCB. It involves fluxing, preheating, soldering, and inspection. ...

November 4, 2025

Characterizing Your Process using Functional and SIR Testing

Today’s Electronic systems require improved reliability, where cleanliness is a key factor in addressing performance problems. The cleanliness of electronic hardware has historically been assessed by visual inspection, particle and debris levels, and the average conductivity of a solvent after exposure to the entire circuit board. However, these general tests do not correlate with predictive performance. Electrical and Functional test methods ensure that the surface residues are at a low enough level between the component leads and pads....

October 14, 2025

Electrochemical Reliability on Printed Circuit Boards

Electrochemical reliability on printed circuit boards (PCBs) is a crucial factor in ensuring long-term performance and preventing failures caused by moisture, contamination, and electrical stress. Numerous factors contribute to the electrochemical reliability of PCBA. One of the most significant factors is flux and process residues left on the circuit assembly....

August 19, 2025

The Versatility and Precision of the MGX QFP 48-11 Test Board

The MGX QFP 48-11 Test Board is a powerful tool designed for manufacturers working with complex, mixed-technology applications. Modern assemblies often combine surface mount (SMT), through-hole, and rework processes, each of which brings its own challenges. This board provides a structured way to evaluate and refine these processes, ensuring assemblies perform reliably from production through field use. ...

August 5, 2025

The Power of the B-52 Legacy 2 SMT Test Board

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our flagship products—the B-52 Legacy 2 SMT Test Board. This versatile board plays a pivotal role in the electronics manufacturing process, helping you to characterize solder pastes, evaluate process parameters, and ensure the overall reliability of your electronic assemblies. In this post, we’ll dive into the specific applications of the B-52 Legacy 2 and how it can be an indispensable tool in your process development and control efforts. ...

July 29, 2025

Magnalytix Test Boards Overview

At Magnalytix, we understand that the success of your electronics manufacturing process hinges on reliable and thorough testing. That’s why we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of test boards designed to meet your specific needs, whether you’re focused on cleanliness, solder paste characterization, outgassing, or process control. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that you not only get the data you need but also the expert insights to interpret and act on that data. ...

July 22, 2025

The Risks of Partially Cleaning PCBs

In high-reliability electronics, cleaning is not optional — it’s essential. But what’s even more dangerous than not cleaning at all? Partially cleaning your PCB assemblies. Incomplete cleaning leaves behind a deceptive surface: it may look clean to the naked eye, but beneath the surface, dangerous residues can remain, silently threatening the performance and lifespan of your product. ...

July 15, 2025

The Critical Role of Solder Paste Selection in Electronic Reliability

Solder paste selection plays a critical role in the overall reliability of electronic assemblies. The properties of the paste particularly the activity of the flux residue and its cleanability can have a direct impact on long-term performance. The flux within solder paste plays a crucial role in the soldering process by removing oxides from metal surfaces and enhancing the wetting of solder. While many factors can influence paste choice, understanding how flux activity and residue removal affect reliability is essential for making the right decision for high-reliability electronics. ...

July 8, 2025

Ensuring Reliability Through Proper PCB Cleaning

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are at the heart of every electronic device, but during manufacturing, they accumulate contaminants—flux residues, oils, dust, and more. These residues may seem insignificant, but they pose serious reliability risks, especially in high-reliability applications. Cleaning is not just a cosmetic step; it’s essential to eliminate these residues and ensure long-term performance. ...

July 1, 2025

The Impact of Reflow Profiles on Component Reliability

A reflow process typically consists of 4 distinct stages: preheat, soak, reflow, and cooling. Each stage is carefully controlled to ensure your solder paste wets and solidifies as intended. Understanding how the stages affect your process and optimizing your operation for your material sets is key to achieving high reliability in your process...

June 24, 2025

Why Does Rework Cause Failures

Rework—modifying or repairing an electronic assembly after initial production—is a necessary part of electronics manufacturing. Whether it's due to design revisions, component replacement, or correcting defects, rework is sometimes unavoidable. However, it also introduces risks. In this blog, we’ll examine the key reasons rework can compromise the reliability of electronic assemblies and how Magnalytix helps manufacturers manage and mitigate those risks. ...

June 17, 2025

How Do You Determine When Clean is Clean Enough?

Cleanliness is critical in electronics manufacturing because common contaminants like process residues, ionic flux activators, and other particulates can cause or accelerate electrochemical failures. These issues can compromise the reliability and functionality of electronic devices and lead to costly failures. Due to the high cost of failure, we recommend a few key methods to evaluate your PCBA cleanliness....

June 10, 2025

Understanding IPC-B-52 Test Boards and Industry Standards

Electronic reliability hinges on how well assemblies resist contamination, environmental stress, and flux residue over time. Standardized test vehicles, especially the IPC-B-52 board, play a vital role in evaluating these risks through methods like Surface Insulation Resistance (SIR) testing. Guided by industry standards such as J-STD-001 and J-STD-004, and supported by test methodologies like IPC-9202, these test boards enable manufacturers to confidently qualify materials, validate cleaning processes, and establish long-term reliability....

June 3, 2025

Cleanliness Failures in Electronics

Cleanliness failures in electronics occur when unwanted contaminants are left behind during manufacturing or enter the system from the environment where the device operates. These failures can compromise performance and reliability, and understanding their root causes is the first step in preventing them....

May 27, 2025

Chemical Failures in Electronics

Chemical failures in electronics are typically the result of interactions between materials and their environment. These interactions can lead to the deterioration of components, ultimately causing system malfunctions. Here, we'll explore the three primary causes of chemical failures: corrosion, contamination, and outgassing....

May 20, 2025

Electrochemical Migration in High Humidity Environments

Electrochemical migration is a significant concern in electronics, especially in high humidity environments. This phenomenon can lead to failures in electronic components, making it crucial to understand and mitigate its effects. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of electrochemical migration, its impact on electronic reliability, and how Magnalytix can help you address this challenge....

May 13, 2025

Electronics in Harsh Environments

Electronics are everywhere, from the devices in our hands to the critical systems that power industries. However, these electronics often face harsh environments that can compromise their reliability and performance. At Magnalytix, we specialize in ensuring the reliability of electronics in challenging conditions, providing solutions that enhance their durability and functionality....

May 6, 2025

Environmental Factors in Electronic Reliability: Insights from DTU Research

Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals are pivotal in determining the reliability of electronic systems. These factors can accelerate the degradation process, leading to potential failures that compromise the functionality of electronic devices. Understanding these environmental influences is essential for developing strategies to mitigate their impact and enhance the durability of electronic components....

April 29, 2025

Introduction to Magnalytix

Welcome to the Magnalytix blog! We are excited to launch this platform where we will share weekly updates on our research, findings, and advancements in electronic reliability. Our goal is to keep you informed about what we are doing and how our innovations can help you enhance the reliability of your electronic devices....