Phil Allison wrote:
"David Lesher"
When NiCads leak, what's the best substance to neutralize the spill?

** Not the way to do it at all.

The spill needs to be simply removed - so use tissue and/or clean rags to
get up the worst of it, then use the same dipped in methylated spirits to
get the surfaces clean as possible. Slight surface corrosion can be treated
with WD40.

Any spillage that has become trapped in crevices or small holes must be
washed out ( use a toothbrush ) and the item dried with hot air.

Pouring acid onto alkali inside some piece of equipment is BARKING MAD !!



..... Phil




Well, actually, using a mild acid to neutralize the mild alkali that
leaked is the only way to be sure you have removed the corrosion risk.

Simply washing with pure water isn't quite enough - a 50/50 solution of
water and white vinegar will often bubble even after you have washed the
area. So, scrub some of the 50/50 mixture into the leakage area, then
wash with lots of water.

Look for possible alkali leakage under conformal coatings over the PCB
copper traces as they can be a bit of a time bomb if not the coating is
not scrapped back a bit, then neutralized as well.

Lift/remove connectors - you'd be surprised how little alkali it takes
to eat under these!

Once finished protect with a spray conformal coating.

Not sure how many ni-cad leakage logic boards you have dealt with, but
I'd repaired hundreds.

John :-#)#
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