Black box and ECU epoxy

[JrZook]

Gday all,
Just wondering if anyone knows what sort of chemical is to be used to melt away the epoxy that black boxes and ecu's used to protect the electronics.
Any help would be great.
Cheers Dan

[ausoops]

acetone might do it, but it might not, and it may also etch the bejesus out of the printed circuit board.

[spannercrab]

I remember reading somewhere that the older types of epoxy potting mixtures could be dissolved / loosened by gently warming the whole thing in a warm solution of vinegar.

Not sure if this still applies for the newer stuff (some of which is polyurethane , very hard stuff to get off) - and there are other acid resistant potting mixes also ...

Of course, there is no guaruntees that the vinear won't do a lot more damage than what you already have ... depending on what you are trying to do.

Usually unless you are desperate, depotting an assembly is a royal PITA - very difficult and often way to hard ...

[-Scott-]

I remember reading somewhere that the older types of epoxy potting mixtures could be dissolved / loosened by gently warming the whole thing in a warm solution of vinegar.

Not sure if this still applies for the newer stuff (some of which is polyurethane , very hard stuff to get off) - and there are other acid resistant potting mixes also ...

Of course, there is no guaruntees that the vinear won't do a lot more damage than what you already have ... depending on what you are trying to do.

Usually unless you are desperate, depotting an assembly is a royal PITA - very difficult and often way to hard ...

Bloke I know used to be tech in the Air Force. He described using 3D maps to drill through the epoxy to get to the suspect components.

Generally, potted boards are not intended to be serviced.

Scott

[4x4Monkey]

how about hot steam.......