Master the ionic cleanliness of your components to ensure their reliability
Ionic contamination is a major issue for many industrial sectors, including electronics, microelectronics, medical devices, aerospace, space, automotive, and energy.
The presence of residual ionic species on a surface can lead to undesirable phenomena such as electrochemical corrosion, leakage currents, electrical failures, or even a reduction in the service life of components.
At FILAB laboratory, we perform the quantification and measurement of ionic contamination in the laboratory in order to identify, measure, and control the ionic species present on your parts, components, or industrial surfaces.
How is ionic contamination measured in the laboratory?
Measurement generally relies on a surface contaminant extraction step, followed by chemical analysis to identify and quantify the ionic species.
Depending on the issue, different approaches can be implemented:
Extraction of surface contaminants
The sample is subjected to a controlled extraction in order to transfer the ionic species present on the surface into an analysis solution.
Extraction parameters can be adjusted according to:
- the nature of the material;
- the geometry of the part;
- the required sensitivity level;
- the applicable regulatory requirements.
Analysis by ion chromatography
Ion chromatography (IC) is a reference technique for identifying and quantifying ions present in an extraction solution.
It makes it possible to measure in particular:
- the concentration of each ionic species;
- the nature of the contaminants;
- the overall level of contamination.
The results can be expressed as mass concentration, for example in µg/cm², depending on the requirements of the sector concerned.
Which standards govern the measurement of ionic contamination?
Depending on the industrial sector, assessment methods may rely on different standards, including:
IPC-TM-650 for evaluating ionic contamination on printed circuit boards
Internal methods developed according to the specific needs of manufacturers
IPC J-STD-001 for requirements related to electronic assemblies
The choice of method depends on the type of component, the industrial process, and the expected cleanliness level.
Which contaminants can be responsible for failures?
Ionic contaminants can cause several degradation mechanisms:
Certain ions, especially chlorides, promote metal corrosion when combined with moisture.
Under the effect of an electrical potential difference, ions can migrate between two conductors and create short circuits.
Ionic residues can reduce insulation resistance and disrupt the electrical operation of components.
Residual contamination can reduce a product's long-term reliability.
Our FAQ
To get a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
Simply send us your requirements (material type, desired analysis, any applicable standard, urgency, number of samples, etc.). We will then send you a tailored technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.
Lead times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your constraints and industrial urgencies.
analysis generally focus on anions (chlorides, fluorides, sulfates, nitrates, etc.) and cations (sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, etc.) that may affect component reliability.
Ionic residues can promote corrosion, electrochemical migration phenomena, and leakage currents, leading to premature failures.
Ion chromatography is one of the main techniques used to identify and accurately measure ionic species extracted from a surface.
Particulate contamination refers to the presence of visible or microscopic solid particles, whereas ionic contamination refers to dissolved chemical species capable of electrochemical activity.
It is recommended for quality control, cleaning validation, process changes, or failure analysis.
