FLUXES Neutral fluxes: Rosin and fluxes prepared on its basis. Rosin when soldering, it plays a dual role: it cleans the surface from oxides and protects it from oxidation. At a temperature of 150 C rosin dissolves oxides of lead, tin and copper, cleaning their surfaces at soldering. A very valuable property of rosin is an that she is in the process rations does not corrode the surface. Rosin used for soldering copper, brass and bronze.
Flux alcohol rosin- (SKF, aka KE, FKE, FKSp) - simple and effective for soldering printed circuit boards and radio components. Composition: alcohol 60-70%, rosin 30-40%, neutral, does not require rinsing.
FCS- radio assembly flux, for soldering parts of radio equipment and printed circuit boards, water-washable. Remains flux easily removed with water or alcohol solution.
LTI 120 - flux radio mounting, neutral. Ingredients: ethyl alcohol (66 - 73%), rosin (20 - 25%), activators - aniline hydrochloride (3 - 7%), triethanolamine (1 - 2%). It is not necessary to wash off the flux residues; if desired, they can be easily washed off with alcohol, acetone, etc.
TAGS- radio assembly, glycerin. For soldering elements of radio installation; also for soldering carbon steel, nickel, copper and other non-ferrous metals with low-melting solders (150-320 C). Water washable. At soldering PCB has residual resistance. Requires mandatory washing with water or alcohol!
Active fluxes:
soldering acid- for rations carbon steels, copper, nickel and their alloys. It is an aqueous solution of zinc chloride (15-40%). In the practice of a radio installer, it is not used, as it causes corrosion of the junction and destruction of the wire insulation.
ZIL-1- active flux for soldering steel, iron, cast iron with solders with a high lead content. Soldering temperature range 180-400 C. Contains zinc chloride, tin chloride, copper chloride and hydrochloric acid. Not suitable for soldering radio components!
FIM- rosin-free active flux, best suited for brazing stainless steels, otherwise similar soldering acid. Ingredients: phosphoric acid (density 1.7, 16%), ethyl alcohol (3.7%), the rest is water. Soldering temperature range 290-350°C, after soldering, be sure to rinse with water. In the practice of a radio amateur, it is also applicable when soldering nichrome.
PTS - active flux for soldering copper, silver, gold and their alloys. Made on the basis of organic acids, due to which it acts mainly on oxides and impurities and not on the metal itself. Ingredients: 63% technical petrolatum, 6.3% triethanolamine, 6.3% salicylic acid and ethyl alcohol. Remains flux removed by wiping the part with alcohol or acetone.
F38M- highly active flux. Unlike most fluxes nichrome, constants, manganin, most stainless steels and copper alloys(bronze, brass). Flux residues are easily washed off with water. Ingredients: orthophosphoric acid, glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylamine hydrochloric acid.
Classification of imported fluxes
Classification fluxes imported production (rosin - English rosin)
R (rosin) is pure rosin in solid form or dissolved in alcohol, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone and similar solvents. This is the least active group fluxes, therefore, it is used for soldering on fresh surfaces or on surfaces that have been protected from oxidation during storage. In accordance with the recommendations of the domestic industry standard OST4GO.033.200, this group fluxes does not require removal of their residues after soldering.
RMA(rosin mild activated - slightly activated rosin) - a group of resinous fluxes with various combinations of activators: organic acids or their compounds. These fluxes have a higher activity compared to type R. It is assumed that during the soldering process, the activators evaporate without residue. But it is obvious that the soldering process must be guaranteed to be completed by the complete evaporation of the activators. Such guarantees can only be provided by machine soldering with automation of temperature-time processes (soldering temperature profile).
RA(rosin activated - activated rosin). This group fluxes intended for industrial production consumer electronic products. Despite the fact that this species flux is more active than those mentioned above, it is advertised as not requiring cleaning. Since its remains allegedly do not show visible corrosive activity.
SRA(super activated rosin - super activated rosin). These fluxes were created for non-standard applications in electronics. They can be used for brazing nickel alloys, stainless steels and kovar type materials. Fluxes type SRA are very aggressive and require thorough cleaning under any circumstances, so their use in electronics is strictly regulated.
no clean(does not require rinsing). This group is specially created for processes where it is not possible to use subsequent cleaning of boards or it is difficult for some reason. The main difference of this group is the extremely small amount of flux on the board at the end of the soldering process / Soldering aluminum. Under normal conditions, aluminum is covered with a dense oxide film that prevents soldering. If this film is removed and the aluminum surface is protected from oxidation, then soldering happens without difficulty. The best thing solder pure tin or solder containing at least 60% tin, it is convenient to use the usual POS-61. The high thermal conductivity of aluminum should be taken into account and a soldering iron of sufficient power should be taken. For rations thin aluminum, a soldering iron power of 50 watts is sufficient; for aluminum with a thickness of 1 mm or more, a soldering iron with a power of 90 watts is more desirable. Soldering without flux On aluminum in place rations liquid mineral oil is applied and the aluminum surface under the oil layer is cleaned with a scraper or a knife blade to remove the oxide film. Solder is applied with a well-heated soldering iron. It is even better to use gun oil; good and satisfactory soldering quality is obtained by using mineral oil for sewing machines and precise mechanisms, vaseline oil. When soldering aluminum with a thickness of 2 mm, it is advisable to preheat the place of soldering with a soldering iron before applying oil. The easiest way is to use special fluxes.
F61A - flux for aluminum soldering. Highly active flux based on fluoroborates, designed for tinning and rations details and surfaces from aluminum and its alloys. Soldering is carried out with solders of the tin-lead group with a tin content of more than 60% (and it is best to solder with pure tin) at a temperature of 250-350 degrees.
F-34 Flux for aluminum soldering and other light alloys. The rest is removed with water. Flux medium activity and low acidity of residues.
F-64 Flux for aluminum soldering, other light alloys of beryllium bronze, etc. Residues are carefully removed with water. Flux increased activity. Aluminum does not even have to be cleaned from a dense oxide film. There is also a known variant rations using flux, consisting of 2-3 g of lithium iodide and 15-20 g of stearic acid.
During the soldering process, an auxiliary substance called flux is used. The main application occurs when soldering joints at home or in production. High-quality soldering, the connection of parts is impossible without the use of a special substance. Before work, materials are selected, including flux of a high-quality composition, for reliable and fast soldering.
What is flux and its key features
The main purpose of the flux is to use when soldering several materials. The structure is made of light alloy materials, which can be made by yourself. Soldering flux is used to connect products by maintaining a certain temperature at the level of the seam. Depending on the structure and hardness of the substance, the soldering temperature starts from 50 ⁰C and reaches 500 ⁰C. The temperature indicators of the solder are taken into account higher than the material, only then it is possible to start the soldering process.
The selection of a suitable structure depends on several factors, soldering flux is classified into many structures. Main settings:
- The temperature of the soldering process.
- Type of metal.
- Temperature conditions the work of matter.
- Surfaces of adjacent parts to the product.
- The resistance of the material to corrosion, protection of surfaces from oxidation and its strength.
The state is divided into solid, having a threshold to high temperature and soft when the flux melts at low temperatures. In order to understand what fluxes are, it is necessary to study all the properties and purpose of the material.
purpose
The process of soldering with refractory types of solder occurs at temperatures above 500 ⁰С. Due to the influence of temperatures and the properties of the substance, the result is a durable type of connection. The disadvantage of the application is that overheating of the part is possible, incorrect operation after assembly.
Soldering flux is used as an easily alloyed variety, in the field of radio engineering installation and other small works. Temperature modes of operation are up to 500 ⁰C, which allows not to damage connections and boards. The main impurities during operation are lead and tin. Super fusible types are used when working with transistors and other compounds, the oxidation surface temperature does not reach 150 ⁰С.
The flux for soldering thin surfaces is used in an easily alloyed form, solid, bulky parts are soldered with hard types of solders. Why flux is needed and the main required characteristics :
- High rates of heat transfer, conductivity of electric current.
- Strong connection.
- Allowable extension size.
- Resistance to corrosion processes of materials.
- The melting temperatures must be different from the softening of the material.
A common form for the production of a soldering substance is a tin rod, the cross-sectional diameter is used from 1 to 5 mm. Several other types exist, such as wire spools, rosin tubes, ribbons, and others.
There are multi-channel solders, the design of the product consists of some materials, it is used for more reliable soldering. These products are sold in a spiral form, contained in flasks and coils. Soldering electrical circuits occurs using a tubular version of the composition. Due to the presence of rosin resin, the connection of copper, silver or brass materials is much more reliable.
Flux types for soldering
Fluxes are divided into several varieties, mainly differing in the type of impact on parts during the soldering process. Rosin and other compositions based on it are less active, the main purpose is soldering electrical circuits and other radio engineering compounds. The flux used for soldering microcircuits removes a thin oxide layer on materials, helps resist corrosion due to low impact. Adhesion characteristics are improved with the use of glycerin, alcohol or turpentine.
The choice of the rosin variety of the composition is determined by its neutrality. Acid-free flux with solder has been used when working with radio components due to the acid-free composition, which is a dielectric and does not form current leakage. On the basis of rosin, activated types of fluxes are produced, the composition of which includes amine, acidic compounds, such as salicylic acid. The use of an active component allows you to connect different types of metals without pre-cleaning the surfaces.
Refractory solders are widely used for large volumes of work, they are resistant to sudden temperature changes and mechanical stress. These fluxes are separated into compounds with copper, zinc or phosphorus, as well as completely from silver. The use of a zinc-copper alloy is not justified by the cost, and the strength is not high. Liquid flux is actively used when soldering copper products, automotive radiators.
Products made of copper or brass are soldered with a phosphor-copper alloy solder, materials are usually not heavily stressed, it is used to replace silver solder. It must be remembered that when soldering cast iron, it is highly recommended not to use hard solders, since during the soldering process fragile elements are formed that contribute to the destruction of the seam. A rational option for soldering iron materials is silver, but it is very expensive for mass work.
Active fluxes
Compounds based on hydrochloric acid in its pure form are called active substances. With its help, iron products are soldered. A variety of the active composition is also made from zinc chloride, which can be obtained at home. Soldering acid interacts with the substance due to zinc reactions during the surface treatment of materials. Active flux is characterized by increased chemical activity, effectively removes films from the surface of parts, reacts to the metal itself.
Thanks to the use of active compounds, a reliable connection of metals occurs. Increased electrical conductivity makes it possible to connect large wires or products. This flux is not applicable to radio engineering, because. chemical residues are difficult to remove from the boards, they quickly corrode the connections.
Acid free fluxes
The category of fluxes prepared on the basis of glycerin, ethyl alcohol or turpentine is called an acid-free or inactive composition. Rosin is used at temperatures up to 150 ⁰, dissolves thin layers of the surface of copper, lead or tin metals, producing high-quality cleaning.
The main application is made with the necessary soldering of surfaces with no separation of materials. It is used when working with small parts, electrical circuits or boards of radio components.
Activated fluxes
This type is made on the basis of aniline hydrochloride or salicylic acid. It is applied at the soldering of all types of connections which do not demand preliminary cleaning.
It is used when connecting materials that are subject to mechanical stress.
Anti-corrosion fluxes
The task of anti-corrosion fluxes is to clean the place of soldering from corrosive deposits, protect against oxides during further use details. The main component is phosphoric acid, which is used in the manufacture of anti-corrosion impregnations. The main difference from acidic compositions is that there is no destructive effect on the metal structure, there is a cleaning from corrosion due to a chemical reaction under temperature effects.
Protective fluxes
The purpose is to protect materials from further oxidation by processing pre-cleaned parts. Distinctive features are the absence of chemical effects, due to the weak chemical activity of the substance. Vaseline, wax, olive oil, and other oily substances are used for manufacturing. The main purpose seems to be the use of microcircuits and small technical details.
Alternative types of solders are used for various soldering purposes. A drill mixed with rosin is used for soldering copper pipes, it does not need to be pre-cleaned, the melting point starts from 70 degrees, no harmful substances are released in the process. Liquid solders based on gold, petroleum jelly, salicylic acid are used when soldering radiators and solid wires, resulting in a clean and neat seam.
Storage
The main distribution of fluxes occurs in liquid form. During storage, follow the manufacturer's instructions, carefully seal the packaging. Otherwise, due to depressurization of the package, there is a loss chemical properties and evaporation of the active material.
Flux paste is stored in rooms with relatively low humidity, closed tubes or containers. Interaction with moisture leads to the destruction of the chemical composition, affects the level of corrosion when working with flux. Most fluxes are highly flammable, so it is recommended to store such substances away from fire, the sun, at a temperature not exceeding 25 ⁰С. Ambient conditions with low temperatures can lead to freezing of some elements of the composition, during operation which can release moisture and form corrosion in the subsequent time.
Flux application
The soldering process requires the preparation of materials before applying the substance. The surfaces are cleaned, covered with fluxes, heated by a soldering device to the required temperature. The tip of the soldering iron detaches a small part of the solder, which should spread well, after which it is evenly applied to the surface of the part.
The best composition for soldering is tin, but in its pure form it is not cheap, it is quite rare to find it on the market. Apply tin-lead alloys, with a melting point of about 200 ⁰С, the joints come out quite strong and strong, thanks to the active substances. Solder is indicated by the letters OS, which is called tin-lead, the numbers indicate the tin content as a percentage, the end result on the tag of such solders is OS-40 or OS-60.
Lead-free flux is used in small quantities when soldering contacts of complex electrical circuits, the process temperature does not exceed 300 ⁰С. Super fusible compounds are used for delicate work, melt at 100 ⁰С. Solder of this type should spread well, does not have high strength, and is used on stationary materials.
Without the use of special elements when working with a soldering iron, it will not be possible to achieve a decent connection of parts. It is enough to try out the process on your own without special solutions, it will take a lot of time to get the connection, and the applied solder will subsequently collapse.
How to make your own soldering flux
When soldering radio engineering materials, it is possible to use a flux prepared independently. Solder is used with a diameter of 2 mm in small pieces. Cooking will require a metal container, with a pre-drilled hole of the required diameter at the bottom. The tin-lead solution is heated to the melting point, after which the substance flows out of the prepared hole. After solidification of the bars, it is necessary to divide them into pieces of the required size.
The cooking process can take place in various containers, the technology consists of several simple steps:
- Weight distribution of proportions of tin and lead.
- Melting takes place in a hardened crucible, stirred to prevent the solution from sticking to the walls.
- A thin film of deposits is removed from the surface of the bowl.
- The final step is pouring the liquid into prepared molds.
After any soldering processes, the shock must be wiped with acetone or special alcohol. V Lately have become widespread without cleaning solders, the advantage of which:
- No components leading to oxides and corrosion.
- They don't conduct current.
- After the process, no stripping process is required.
To apply liquid solder, a brush or cotton swab is used; it is possible to use a device made independently for convenient work. The medical syringe is cut into two parts, a piece of silicone hose is inserted into it, the needle is shortened, bent at a small degree.
Homemade solder paste can make soldering easier. For manufacturing, it is necessary to grind the solid-state flux with a coarse-grained file on a metal material. Using a fine-grained soldering iron is not wise, as the flux will simply clog into its teeth. The resulting powder must be mixed with rosin and alcohol, if the solder paste is thick, alcohol is added to it until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The paste is placed in a hermetically sealed container, because. if it interacts with moisture, subsequent corrosion of soldered parts is possible. For the best application, convenient use, it is possible to make a syringe from improvised tools.
A self-made design will help to use flux-paste when applied to hard-to-reach parts. To prevent drying, the possibility of reuse, you should use a wire, plugging the outlet.
When performing any soldering work, use personal protective equipment. Chemical gases released during heating can damage the respiratory tract or human eyes. The use of high-quality fluxes prevents gas poisoning.
How to choose the right flux
The most successful soldering fluxes evaporate little and do not burn at elevated temperatures, the results of substance deposits are easily removed from the surface, and if removal is not available, they do not cause corrosion by a later time. Solders are divided into active and inactive, the first option interacts quite strongly with deposits on metals, and can be harmful to health during the soldering process. The neutral look is safer, however, the treatment of large surfaces can be delayed for a long time due to the absence of chemical influences.
Medium active fluxes are used in radio engineering workshops. Joints are processed with a soldering iron, then with flux to ensure a noticeable result and fast soldering. Such solutions usually do not foam when heated, are easily applied to joints, are widely used and are relatively inexpensive.
According to many years of experience of craftsmen, high-quality flux is the guarantor of perfect soldering. The choice depends on the specification of the substance, the nature of the work. Most fluxes are used for their intended purpose. Modern gel-like solders are used everywhere, they are very diverse active ingredients and ease of use.
You need good tools to do quality work. The soldering iron, its tip, hair dryer and solder are selected by an experienced radio technician of the highest quality, because. the price in difference with analogues is not high, and the quality of work will be at the highest level. The use of the most advanced, modern soldering tools will not make it possible to produce a sufficiently good soldering without accompanying fluxes.
Today on the shelves of radio markets and electronics stores you can find great amount soldering fluxes of various purposes and prices.
Flux manufacturers offer really high quality products, but it is quite difficult to find them on the market. The number and variants of fakes are simply amazing in their diversity. Even if you are lucky and you find an original product, its cost will differ significantly from the cost of a fake. Most potential buyers after comparing prices decide to save money and look for a cheaper flux. Masters, on the other hand, select the optimal set of soldering chemicals according to their requirements, which suits them in terms of technical parameters and price. But for this they have to go through unknown fluxes and, through experiments, select the most suitable option for a particular job.
Almost every corner sells hundreds of cheap fluxes with high performance on the label. But inside the package you may expect a very unpleasant surprise.
And now let's figure it out how fluxes are bred and how this affects their technical characteristics.
Rosin instead of flux
Imagine the situation: you bought a superflux, open a tube, and instead of a high-quality flux, there is low-quality rosin (waste after rosin production). Moreover, the same rosin is also very diluted with some kind of contaminated technical petroleum jelly.
Soldering or tinning with such a mixture is simply impossible. The so-called "flux" begins to "run away" from the place of soldering. As a result, we get undeserved conclusions, poor-quality "cold" soldering, and contact pads and tracks instantly fall off the board due to overheating.
Flux diluted with acid
Very often, acids (citric, orthophosphoric) or chlorides (zinc chloride) are added to an already low-quality flux. Compared to rosin, the picture immediately changes - everything is tinned and soldered. It seems that the flux is just super, but electronic boards cannot be soldered with such a flux. It is very difficult and sometimes almost impossible to remove acid residues, especially from under SMD elements. Acid can even remain inside the solder, in the pores of the solder.
As a result, after a month or two, soldering with acid (or zinc chloride) crumbles into powder along with the conclusions of the radioelement. Repair then will be very, very laborious, and sometimes it is completely impossible.
Flux diluted with glycerine
It also happens that glycerin is generously poured into the flux. Glycerin flux solders great, it's cheap and plentiful, but try covering the board with it. And then measure the resistance of the PCB board. That's bad luck: it conducts current from a few to tens of ohms where it should not. Even if you try to wash off the glycerin, and it is washed off easily, the “conductivity” of the board will still remain! Glycerin is absorbed into the textolite (resistance of textolite not covered with copper is 10 to 50 ohm). For most devices, this is simply unacceptable. Even the most simple and banal schemes will be “buggy”. To somehow make the device work, try scratching the textolite between the tracks with a needle.
Conclusion: glycerin, acids, chlorides in non-cleaning fluxes for working with radio electronics, BGA and SMD components should not be used.
Basic requirements for a high-quality flux for working with lead elements, BGA and SMD:
- no corrosivity
- good lubricating properties
- high wetting ability
- no boiling when heated to operating temperature
- lack of electrical conductivity
- ease of removal of residues if necessary
- support for lead-free and lead-containing solders
- no-clean soldering technology (remains can not be washed off)
- ease of application (gel, paste)
- affordable price.
Now let's see what they offer us on the market.
All of the above requirements are met by trademarked fluxes CHIPSOLDER FLUX.
The fluxes of the series are also of sufficient quality. SP (SP-10+, SP-15+, SP-18+, SP20+, SP30+).
They do not contain acids, chlorides or glycerin. SP fluxes are available in different consistency: paste, gel, liquid (L-NC-3200, L-NC-3600). They don't spend electricity, and it is not necessary to wash off the remains.
These fluxes comply with all declared standards and have been tested when soldering lead parts, conductors, BGA and SMD elements, as well as sensitive solar panels.
Flux characteristics and their features
Let's now look at some of them in more detail.
First, let's deal with the name. What do all those big letters stand for?
- G(gel) - gel-like flux.
- NC(no clean) - does not require rinsing.
- 5268 - flux index.
- LF(lead free) - suitable for lead-free solders.
CHIPSOLDER G-NC-5268-LF
This flux is suitable for soldering tinned contacts. It has good thermal conductivity, the contact pad remains on the board, and not on the soldering iron tip. Flux gel CHIPSOLDER G-NC-5268 LF is a high quality, translucent, synthetic no-clean flux with resinous characteristics. Used for soldering and desoldering BGA/SMD components. Suitable for working with a soldering iron, hot air gun, IR station, as well as for reballing.
The flux is made from highly purified components. Conveniently fixes BGA and SMD components when soldering ("landing"). Fully supports both conventional and lead-free soldering technology. Halogen-free for long-term reliability and excellent soldering characteristics.
It has a minimal, "soft" activity during soldering, which allows you to not wash off residues. It does not boil, does not leave a dark "soot", after soldering it remains a transparent gel. It loses transparency only at a temperature of -5 ° C, but at the same time retains its properties. Easily removed with any universal alcohol-based (alcohol-petrol) based cleaner and a paper towel.
It has excellent thermal conductivity (the component heats up as evenly as possible), it is very convenient to use. Solvent-free, does not dry out in the open air and does not harden after soldering. Suitable for multiple use.
CHIPSOLDER-G-NC-6500-LF
These fluxes are similar in performance to the CHIPSOLDER flux series, but are slightly less expensive. It should be noted that the cost did not affect the quality. They can also work great and get good results. And now let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
SP-10+
This is a cheap and pretty good low-active flux. It is recommended to use for mounting and dismounting FLIP CHIP, BGA and SMD components, crystals, as well as for repair work using a soldering iron, hot air gun, IR equipment.
Has almost zero activity. Used for soldering and desoldering tinned leads. Suitable for lead-free solders. SP-10+ is absolutely safe for radio components. Evenly distributes soldering temperature and prevents peeling of printed conductors. It has a sticky consistency (viscous, sticky), does not cause corrosion, securely fixes the elements during soldering. It also does not conduct electricity.
The flux is used without subsequent washing in printed circuit assemblies. Suitable for various conditions environment.
SP-15+
The main difference is in the consistency.
SP-30 It is a translucent, sticky gel. Flux is intended for repair and production of electronics. Can be used with all standard solders.
So, let's sum up.
All fluxes are formulated for high quality soldering. All of the above fluxes are used in various environmental conditions and under different features process.
The main differences between SP fluxes are consistency and potency. Therefore, it is necessary to select the flux based on the scope and convenience during operation.
As for CHIPSOLDER brand fluxes, they are not as versatile as SP fluxes. When choosing a CHIPSOLDER flux, you definitely need to know how to use it and for what purpose.
Natalia ZinkoFlux for soldering, of course, you can do yourself. To do this, the resin collected in the forest from coniferous trees must be melted in a tin over low heat, stirring occasionally, and then simply poured into containers. When the mixture hardens, it will turn into rosin. But let's not engage in amateur performances, it's not worth it, but rather consider different types of fluxes that can be purchased at any electronic store.
Requirements for fluxes used in soldering work
- The melting point of the flux must be less than the melting point of the solder.
- The flux must be completely molten and flow well during the soldering process.
- Should quickly and completely dissolve the oxides of the soldered metal.
- Must not form chemical bonds with metal or solder.
- It should evenly cover the surface of the metal at the place of soldering, preventing its oxidation during the soldering process.
- Should not evaporate quickly during soldering, and its decay products should be displaced by solder and easily washed off after soldering without causing corrosion of the soldering point
Gel fluxes are, in principle, ordinary rosin, but in a gel state. They are best used for delicate soldering of radio components and repairs mobile phones, laptops, smartphones, etc. Their main feature is that they are very easy to wash off with Flux-Plus, acetone or gasoline, alcohol can also be used.
There are currently two types available for sale. gel fluxes: Flux-Plus and its cheap Chinese counterpart RMA-223
Flux-Plus is considered the best among gel products. Even a full one will be able to solder with him. But its price of 20 green pieces of paper is not at all encouraging. So before you take it, think about it, is it worth the money? If you are a repairer of smartphones or tablets, then it will definitely pay off for you, and for simple lovers of soldering, I would advise its Chinese counterpart.
RMA-223 Soldering Gel Flux is a Chinese counterfeit of the proprietary Flux-Plus. The cheapest one can be ordered from Chinese internet stores. When soldering, it also spreads well and envelops the solder. I advise everyone to use it and you will not regret it.
For cooking at home and with our own hands, we need the following ingredients, medical or technical alcohol for dissolving rosin, a hammer or something similar for grinding rosin, a container for storing the resulting liquid composition. Then we crush the pieces of rosin with a hammer, I advise you to wrap them in a bandage or any piece of cloth before that. Pour the resulting powder into a vial and fill it with alcohol (I’ll immediately answer your question “Vodka will not work”), after a few days of settling, the product will serve perfectly for soldering operations.
Why can't you solder with rosin? It is possible, but not very convenient, since it is necessary to quickly bring the evaporating rosin to the place and it will still have to be smeared a little with a soldering iron on all soldered surfaces.
It is used in soldering work as a liquid agent for oxidized copper, ferrous metal and stainless steel. Can also be used to remove rust. After use, a protective film forms on the treated surface, which prevents the corrosion process.
Used for brazing carbon and low alloy steels, nickel and alloys. The liquid is active at a temperature of 290-350 °C. After using a special agent, the surfaces must be washed with a solution of soda ash
Manufactured on a vaseline base, suitable for soldering highly oxidized metals from ferrous and non-ferrous metals
The active agent is used in radio editing electronic components and printed circuit boards. Rinse with water or alcohol after use
This liquid can be purchased at a regular pharmacy, it costs much less than alcohol, and the effect is the same, although it contains 90% ethyl alcohol.
Clean-free. If desired, excess liquid can be wiped off with a rag. In addition to soldering aluminum, it can be used for soldering stainless steels, nickel, copper and other metals.
In terms of its properties and characteristics, rosin fully meets the requirements for fluxes, it just needs to be able to solder.
The specific gravity and melting point of rosin are lower than those of solder
It melts completely and has good fluidity at the correct soldering temperature. At the same time, there is a small plus compared to standard fluxes, namely, molten rosin does not “leak out” from the soldering point
Rosin completely dissolves oxides, and this reaction proceeds at a temperature that is several degrees lower than the melting temperature of the solder
Rosin is always neutral, it does not react and does not form chemical compounds with solder and base metal.
It evenly covers the surface of the soldered metal, creating protection against oxidation.
Rosin does not burn out at the soldering temperature, while the solder completely expels all its decomposition products
After the soldering process, the rosin residue left on the PCB is easily washed out
It is a transparent glassy resin, light yellow in color, hard but brittle. It is obtained from the resin of various coniferous trees. Rosin is essentially a mixture of resin acids (their chemical formula is C 20 H 30 O 2), various types of fatty acids and a small amount of oxidized and neutral substances. The basis for high-quality rosin is abietic acid.
Rosin dissolves perfectly in alcohol, ether, turpentine, worse - in kerosene, gasoline. It is completely insoluble in ordinary water.
According to the method of obtaining rosin, it happens:gum- obtained from the resin of coniferous trees. Mostly pines. This type of rosin has practically no fatty acids in its composition.
extraction- obtained by extracting with gasoline the crushed wood of coniferous trees. This type of rosin is darker, with a lower softening point and a fairly high content of fatty acids.
tall rosin is a by-product of cellulose sulphate production in the manufacture of soap.
Rosin soldering technique
Soldering with rosin is easy enough. Before soldering, parts must be tinned. To do this, a soldering iron heated to operating temperature with a clean tip is lowered into rosin.
Then you need to cover with solder and apply it to the surface to be soldered. After that, the parts are fixed and in the place of their contact they are briefly touched with a sting. The solder spreading over the surface with a thin film after cooling will create good connection. After soldering, the remains of rosin are washed off with alcohol or a solvent.
All the best! This rating contains the best fluxes for soldering and is compiled from personal preferences and feedback from electronics repairmen. Many readers will now think - “Well, finally! Master Soldering has started to write something about soldering!” and they will be right - for almost 4 years, not a single decent article about the soldering process has been written on the blog, although the name of the blog seems to oblige. I admit, I confess, I will correct the situation.
I plan to publish reviews of soldering processes, soldering tools, soldering videos and new technologies in the soldering world. And today I will give my rating of the 10 best fluxes for soldering. This rating is based on personal preferences and all kinds of feedback from familiar electronics repairmen of various levels and does not claim to be exclusive. Let's go - fluxes for soldering.
Rating of the most popular soldering fluxes
What should we know about flux?
The flux is designed to improve the quality of the process of soldering two metal surfaces by soldering and, when heated, cleans the surfaces from oxide and greasy films. A good flux should have a low melting point and low specific gravity. Before the solder melts, it must have time to dissolve the oxides and not penetrate deep into the solder joint during the soldering process. The flux should spread well and wet the surface of the solder and the metal at the place of soldering.
In fifth place is the most popular flux of all time, the muse of musicians, gift of nature, her majesty rosin. Rosin is gum (from the resin of coniferous trees, has almost no fatty acids), extraction (extraction of coniferous sawdust with gasoline, contains more fatty acids than gum) and tall (residues after sulfate-cellulose production of soap).
In fourth place is the beloved alcohol-rosin flux SKF or FKSp (soldering alcohol-rosin flux). It consists of 60-80% alcohol and 20-40% rosin. Such a mixture can be prepared at home with your own hands. For example, many simply crumble rosin into alcohol in a ratio of about 1 to 3. It is convenient to use in a syringe with a needle. But when stored in a loosely closed syringe, it begins to dry out on the needle and stops flowing.
Advantages:
affordable and popular inactive flux, easy to apply, does not smoke much.
Flaws:
when heated, the alcohol begins to rapidly evaporate and hiss.
What to solder: copper wires, gold-plated and silver-plated contacts of microcircuits and radioelements, brass, zinc.
How to rinse: alcohol, solvents, gasoline, alcohol-gasoline mixture.
So we got to the Top 3 best soldering fluxes. On the prizes, I placed professional fluxes, which in ordinary life may not be useful. But in the craft - they are very necessary.
Fluxes Amtech RMA-223 and Kingbo RMA-218
The third bronze place is occupied by Amtech RMA-223 - it is a gel flux - a mixture of crushed rosin and solvent.
I also suspect that there may be activators and fragrance in the composition. - most main feature forgeries- on the sticker there is an inscription in small print “Coliformia” instead of “California”, however, oddly enough, the Chinese fake flux is very good in operation, and many services just sit on it. Although the masters from mysku do not advise to take this flux for Ali, but it is better to take an analogue.
Advantages:
it is convenient to apply the gel, good solderability, you can not wash it, a fake is cheap (about 200 rubles), but it soldered very well with it and smelled of perfume.
Expensive (a 10 g tube can cost 1,500 rubles), smelly, fakes come across. The price is a limiting factor, for example, a 30 g tube can cost from 2,000 rubles.
What to solder: mainly responsible lead-free and lead soldering.
How to rinse: most can not be washed off, alcohol, solvent, there is a proprietary solvent T2005M.
This concludes the Top 10 best soldering fluxes. Of course, there are a lot of other fluxes, including good Chinese and top German and Japanese ones. But I haven't used them, so I can't adequately describe them.
If you, dear readers, use any other flux and consider it the best in the world, then be sure to write to me about it in the comments. Perhaps it will appear in the rating after testing.
Soldering Master tried for you.
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