Remove cement on IBM cpu

[isa-d]

I'm not able to remove "cement" on Power4 and Power5 CPUs
I read about tuolene or Brake Cleaner with Xilene (not commercialized in Italy but I can buy xilene alone)

so which is the best formula, 50/50 acetone/xilene?
acetone/xilene/alchol?

and which is the best way to remove this damn "cement"?
a bath for some days?
or rub it for some hours?

thanks for any suggestion

[aberco]

I have been able to remove some of it heating the die a bit with a gas torch, then you can scrape it off with a soft tool (I used a screwdriver wrapped in a paper towel) when it's hot.
These are not thermally coupled by the grey paste commonly used on Power CPUs, and likely can't be chemically dissolved.

It works well to remove it all on the die, however it's hard to remove it on the black epoxy sealant.

Check results here:


If anyone has a better idea I'd also be happy to know.

[Vlasta]

Use paint stripper (the jelly type) and a toothbrush.

[debs3759]

[Vlasta]

http://www.cpu-world.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23248

[debs3759]

Cool, forgot you had already posted the name for those who need it

[isa-d]

"cement" on IBM chips seem to be a sort of resin not an indelible paint or do you tried it also on this resin with good results?

[aberco]

It has to be a Power4, Power4+ or Power5.
These came with the ceramic heatspreader and were glued using this very hard, white cement.

I'd be interested as well if it work specifically on this and the application procedure.

[Vlasta]

Aha - the resin is probably an epoxy glue. Not sure how to remove this. I was thinking more of the grease/gunk stuff under the heat sink. Silicone glue can also be removed with a product called silicone-be-gone - google it......

[aberco]

Yeah this is not silicon grease.
It really look like some sort of cement. It is very hard, but get less resistant when heated. It also does not look like an epoxy resin (the black underfill is however an epoxy).

[debs3759]

I've come across another product that has removed cement on all chips I've used it on. Here in the UK it's sold as Cellulose Thinners, and it is a mix of Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone.

I apply it to a cloth and wipe the cement. This softens the surface of the cement allowing me to then scrape some of it away. i usually have to redo this a few times. I have cleaned the cement used on Pentiums as well as other early chips, and GPUs. It can take 20-30 minutes, but the chips are always as new when I am finished.

I have almost finished a 125 ml bottle and just bought 500 ml. It's pretty cheap here.

[Vlasta]

Got any before and after photos?

[debs3759]

No, but I'll remember to take pics next time I clean a chip.