Abstract: A rosin-free, low VOC, no-clean soldering flux consists essentially of one or more halide-free carboxylic acid activators in an aggregate amount not exceeding about 8% by weight of the flux; one or more alkyl amines capable of forming amine salt of the one or more activators and in an aggregate amount not exceeding about 10% by weight of the flux; and water, with or without a surfactant. The flux is particularly useful in a method of producing soldered printed wiring assemblies with minimal residual ionic contamination, so that post-soldering cleaning of the assemblies is unnecessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the quantitative presence of ions derived from solids, liquids, gases or similar items in which a deionized liquid dissolves the ions from the items, the liquid then is evaluated for conductivity by virtue of the presence of the ions, the liquid is then passed through a deionizer to substantially remove the ions, and again the liquid is re-exposed to the partially cleansed item; the cycle is continued until conductivity indicates that a predetermined degree of deionization has been achieved.