Using Isopropyl alcohol to clean SSD, CPU/GPU sockets

Question

Wanted to ask after reading this other question.

there are visible signs of moisture on or bear components of a laptop after the machine was exposed to steam/water vapor and you are concerned about corrosion even if you manage to dry the component.

1. Suppose some of the surface mount components on a board have visible signs of moisture, is it safe to try to get Isopropyl Alchohol (IPA) between the IC and the board to clean the contacts to prevent corrosion (without removing it, just trying to "drip" it in there)? For example, IC's on an SSD, or the storage module itself

2. the machine is a laptop and there are visibile moisture A: near B: on, the CPU/GPU, would it be safe to clean the CPU/GPU pins/socket with IPA?

Is it safe to use IPA in these ways?/would doing so damage the components?

Answer 1

Wind is your best friend. Get some airflow to the component before, while and after the application of IPA.

Even better if you can get compressed air easily. In simple cases, even a table fan would do. You will need some kind of air direction manipulation (like the above air pump) in case of dust in close gaps, though. Do not blow it with your mouth, unless you are some organism that doesn't create saliva (or humid breath).

1. To determine whether you need to use IPA to clean the component
   1. clean as much of the dust you can with wind.
   2. use a dry microfiber cloth (the kind that you might get free with monitor screens) to clean wherever you can reach
   3. Use a paint brush (without the paint of course) for harder to reach places
   4. Inspect the resultant object under a light from different angles
      • You want to look for gunk at the contacts (those may create undesirable electrical tunnels, but mostly tend to be not conducting enough). Other places won't really be as much of a problem.
      • Worst offenders are tar from cigarettes. That's also the hardest to remove and will stick to everything you try to clean with.
      • Heat sink locations are another good place to look for, which you would want to clean.
2. To determine whether you can use IPA - If the component has some kind of conformal coating (SSDs and hot components usually don't), you can be more liberal with IPA. The contacts tend to have some openings, so evaporation is still necessary.
3. How to use IPA
   1. Use it like you would use water. Dampen the cloth a bit and rub it on the place you want to clean. Remember, you are not applying IPA, you are cleaning the component and taking the help of IPA to dampen the gunk.
   2. As mentioned before, airflow is important.
      • If there seems to be a gap in between the component and the PCB, try flowing air along the edge towards the corner, to make sure the small amount of IPA that might go in, flows outward as it evaporates.
   3. If you can see a drop forming on the component (even in the gaps), you are using too much.

You might want to check the purity of your IPA. I find it easiest to simply sandwich a drop between 2 plates (no pressure on the plates) and check how long it takes for all of it to evaporate. This gives an idea of how and where-all I can use it.

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In case the component was already exposed to steam and has moisture still sitting on it (and in between components), I would go with giving the water droplets as much energy to leave the surface as possible.

• Go with a few sprays of 99.9% IPA (at least what is advertised) with high airflow at around 30°C to 40°C
• End it with a dry cloth