Extend the Life of Your Probe Tips and Probe Holders

Micromanipulator not only sells the finest selection of probe tips and probe holders but we also provide information to help extend the life of our products.  Using the proper cleaning techniques and protecting your probe tips from corrosion will help to maintain the integrity of your test probes and probe holders and ensure their optimal performance.  

In our Probe Tips and Probe Holders Reference Manual (available on our website), we go over the various techniques for cleaning and protecting your products.  However please note that the procedures for corrosion protection and cleaning differ depending on the material of the probe tips and holders.    

To clean your probe holders, we recommend applying a methanol solution to the tip of the holder with a swab or other suitable applicator.  Do not soak the holder in the solution.  After you have applied the methanol, bake the shank at 200o F-300o F for a minimum of 6 hours.    

To remove deposits from one of our tungsten, tungsten carbide, nickel tips and HCT tips as well as a platinum-coated custom probe tip, first rinse it in deionized water and then use compressed air to dry the excess water from the tip.  If you need to remove oxide deposits, we suggest dipping the probe tip into a 1.0 solution of normal sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for a few seconds.  Again rinse the tip with deionized water and dry with compressed air.      

To remove deposits from one of our beryllium copper probe tips, follow the same steps as for our tungsten tips, rinsing in deionized water and using compressed air to dry.  If you need to remove oxide deposits from a beryllium copper tip, wash the tip in a 10% w/w sodium carbonate solution (NA2CO3) and rinse in deionized water.  Do not dry the tip but instead use a 10% v/v nitric acid solution (HNO3) and dip the tip until a reaction occurs.  Now it is ready to dry with compressed air.   

This is just a sampling of the suggestions and recommendations from our Probe Tips and Probe Holders Reference Manual.  Please see our website for more information and to view our wide assortment of quality probe holders and probe tips, many of which can now be ordered online.  

At Micromanipulator, we not only invented analytical probing in 1956 but are still the top name in the field.  As such we reliably deliver the tools and life cycle support the semiconductor industry depends on.  A key part of our company’s philosophy and what drives our success is an unfaltering commitment to customers’ satisfaction.  Please contact us to learn more about our wide range of probe stations and accessories.