However, these two processes are quite different. Welding is sometimes confused with soldering. When buying a soldering iron, it is best to spend money on high quality ones, as lower quality soldering irons sometimes have trouble melting the solder. Soldering irons come in a range of prices and qualities. The soldering iron is heated to temperatures ranging from 200 – 600 degrees Fahrenheit ( 95-315 degrees Celsius) in order to melt the solder. These items are commonly metals.Ī soldering iron is a piece of equipment used in the process of heating solder (a metal alloy usually made of tin and lead) to join these metals. Soldering in its most basic definition is, when two or more items are joined together. Learning the basics behind soldering will help to better understand the importance of flux later on.Īlso, I will cover solder and what it is made of, as well as different types of solder. Soldering and Solderīefore we dive into whether you have to use flux when soldering, let us learn the basics of soldering. I will also cover the benefits of using flux. It depends on many variables such as, what the application is, whether the solder you are using already contains flux or not etc. Also, most solder nowadays come with a rosin core which does the job of flux helping breaking down oxides.

While it is helpful in the process of soldering as the flux helps break down the oxides on the metal, it is not needed. But, is it essential? Can you solder without flux? It is a cleaning agent used to clean surfaces to remove oxidation, to provide a better means of soldering. In plumbing it is used as a connection between copper pipes, electronics to secure components and connection purposes in jewelry.įlux is like solering’s sidekick. It is the process of joining metals together which provides a permanent hold which is also reversible. Or, read about our Reliability Engineering Services.Soldering is an important aspect of many jobs nowadays, from plumbing, electronics, and metalwork. To learn more about improving electronic reliability, register for the webinar - Flux Residue: Key Factors Causing Electronics Failures.

This is because there are numerous factors affecting risk, including: Engineers can use current limiting to reduce the damage from shorting, which could hide any evidence of residue-causing failures.Įngineers will need to rely on the knowledge of their design, end-use environment and cleanliness data to assess risk. In these cases, failure is typically linked to leakage or shorting. Unfortunately, there isn’t a standard pass or fail criterion for ion chromatography results.Įngineers can also perform functional testing to assess how a design will perform in humid, worst-case environments. To detect acids in a smaller area, engineers will need to use more localized sampling methods. For instance, a full-assembly soak will provide concentration averages across the surface. One challenge to ion chromatography is that different methods will produce different results. The additives may increase reliability, but there is no way to gain insights or controls into their functionality due to the manufacturer’s intellectual property protections. If any solvent remains, electronics failure is possible.Īdditives - plasticizers, dyes or antioxidants - compose a small portion of the chemical composition of a flux.

During application, it’s important to follow the profile to ensure all of the solvent is evaporated away. The manufacturing-recommended soldering profile is based, in part, on the solvent’s boiling point. The solvent is used to dissolve the other constituents. To maintain the appearance of resin-free, clean assemblies, many engineers choose a flux formulation with low concentrations of binders - potentially increasing the risk of failure. The binders form the bulk of the visible residue. After soldering, they prevent unconsumed activators from dissolving in water. The binders, sometimes called vehicles, are insoluble-in-water compounds with high melting points (such as natural rosin and synthetic resins). To reduce the risk, engineers need to use a minimum amount of flux for proper soldering. When this happens, the excess acid can cause electronic failure. Sometimes, the acid may not be fully consumed. After a wetting process, the salts dissolve and a metallurgical bond is formed. The acids react with metal oxides to form metal salts. Their acidity poses a risk but is required for a good joint. Activators are weak organic acids that are found in contemporary fluxes.

Solder flux