Like the flux paste, by combining solder and flux into one material, the deoxidation and soldering of components can occur at the same time.įlux Pens are prefilled pens of flux that can be held like a pencil and apply flux in small, controlled movements, much like you would highlight lines on a textbook. Most modern solder used for PCB and electrical soldering comes with flux at the core. Although still in paste form, solder paste can come in small flux paste syringes for better control during application.įlux Core or Rosin Core Solder is solder wire that has a thin core made of flux, usually rosin. The combination of solder and flux into one pasty form allows users to clean and solder pieces together at the same time. If you’re soldering electronics, chances are you won’t use powder flux.įlux Paste or Solder Flux Paste (or simply “Solder Paste” ) is a mixture of tiny solder spheres (powdered solder) and flux. Powder flux is typically only used for specialized applications like brazing (similar to soldering, but with higher temperatures). For this reason, liquid solder is ideal for low-temperature soldering or wave soldering. Liquid flux can help reduce surface tension to help the solder flow more uniformly and freely. Liquid flux is solder flux that, unsurprisingly, comes in liquid form. ![]() Solder Flux Formsįlux comes in different compositions as well as different forms. The flux is referred to as “no-clean” either because the residue it leaves behind won’t affect electrical conductivity (requiring no clean-up), or the flux leaves no residue at all. ![]() No-Clean flux is made of organic resins (minus rosin) and other inorganic agents. Water-soluble flux is a more aggressive oxidizer than rosin-activated flux and usually requires more clean-up afterward because of the leftover residue. Organic acid flux-also referred to as water soluble flux-is typically made from glycol bases and is more reactive than rosin-activated flux. Otherwise, the corrosive residue might damage the PCB you’ve soldered. Rosin Activated (RA) Flux is the most activated rosin flux and is the best flux cleaner by far, but will leave significant residue behind that needs to be removed later. Although a stronger cleaner, RMA Flux tends to leave more residue than pure Rosin flux types, so you’ll need to use flux removers or cleaners after the project is complete. Rosin Mildly Activated (RMA) Flux is Rosin flux with additional activators that help it clean dirtier surfaces. ![]() Rosin (R) Flux contains no added acid activators and is ideal for relatively clean surfaces and doesn’t leave residue behind. Because of the varying levels of acidic activators, rosin flux actually comes in three key types: Other acid activators might be added to rosin to improve its cleaning abilities. Rosin contains the active ingredient abietic acid, which naturally cleans and deoxidizes surfaces. Rosin flux is made of natural rosin that’s extracted from the sap or resin of pine trees. Types of Solder Flux for Electronics Rosin Flux For example, it’s important to not confuse solder flux for electronics with acid flux types that are used for plumbing.Īlways check that the solder flux you’re purchasing is designed specifically for the project you’re using it for. Solder flux also comes in various compositions, depending on the application you’re using it for. Today, solder flux comes in a few different forms, including liquid and paste-some solder wires even contain flux cores. Unclean, oxidized metal surfaces can also cause solder beads, which can short-circuit and damage surrounding components. Without soldering flux, you run the risk of creating “cold” solder joints, which occur if oxidation is still present on the surfaces you’re soldering.
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