Coronavirus Pandemic Leads to Shortage of Alcohol-Based Fluxes
The coronavirus pandemic is leading to shortages of more than test kits, ventilators and, um, toilet paper. Due to the huge increase in demand for hand sanitizer, there is a now shortage of isopropyl alcohol—a key ingredient in some fluxes.
The pandemic is affecting the production of alcohol-based fluxes for electronics manufacturing. Rising prices and even sold out stocks are the latest developments. Water-based or hybrid fluxes, with low alcohol additions, are moving into focus as a alternative for use in electronics assembly.