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Hi all,<br>
<br>
I thought I might chime in and confuse all of you solder slingers just
a bit.<br>
<br>
Water based fluxes do work to a point, but there are some other options
you might want to consider.<br>
<br>
In the manufacturing facility I work at we tried the water based flux
back in 2001 and 2002. What we gained in cleanup convenience was lost
quickly in the rather dramatic increase in solder fault related failure
of finished products. In the end we decided that there was no benefit,
and a serious liability in using the water based flux products in our
production process. I was working at that time as an inspector of
sub-assemblies and the drop in the quality of the solder joints that I
examined under the microscope during this experiment was to say the
least, 'alarming.'<br>
<br>
In my current capacity as the quality data analyst that writes reports
to our customers about the units returned for warranty service, I am
still writing reports for units that failed due to the water based
solder flux used during that period, and the inferior solder joints
that were formed by trained and certified production staff.<br>
<br>
In the end my company switched to another class of flux products
referred to as "No Clean Flux." Our solder is made by Kester and is an
industry standard 63/37 alloy. We use in the plant both a liquid flux
and a rework paste flux also made by Kester that is rated as "No
Clean." What this designation means is that the flux residue if left
on the circuit boards will not cause corrosion of the board traces.
This chemistry is approved by the FAA for use in aircraft electronics
we manufacture. As a result of the change in solder chemistry our
warranty return rate is now under 2%, down from the 18% that we
experienced with the water based fluxes. If it is desired to remove
the flux from the board, an alcohol wash with a disposable paintbrush
with real hair bristles will remove flux residue without causing ESD
hazards to the exposed components.<br>
<br>
The No Clean flux behaves in a manner that is almost exactly the same
as the old rosin flux most of you have used. It does not boil off the
board like the water based flux is prone to do. The flux only helps
the soldering process if it stays in the joint while the solder alloy
is flowing into the joint.<br>
<br>
I can't speak for anyone else, but I want my build of the boards in
this project to be of the highest possible quality, and to not be
subject to failures at odd intervals due to hidden solder joint
faults. Based on my experience with water based flux in soldering I
can not recommend them to anyone for a project you want to get the best
performance and service life out of.<br>
<br>
I do recommend kester brand solder and flux "No Clean" type only.<br>
<br>
DigiKey part Numbers follow:<br>
<br>
Solder 'No Clean" flux core 1lb. roll KE1523-ND<br>
<br>
Rework Flux 10 gram syringe KE1806-ND<br>
<br>
Solder paste "No Clean" flux 35 gram syringe KE1507-ND <br>
<br>
For cleaning this flux (if you feel the need to do so) use denatured
alcohol (ethanol) available at any home improvement center, or if you
can get it pure isopropanol (not the 70% stuff they sell in the drug
stores) on a natural hair bristle paint brush.<br>
<br>
<br>
Thanks for reading..<br>
<br>
73 de AD5FU in Little Rock <br>
<br>
aka<br>
<br>
<a name="_MailAutoSig"><b><font color="#000080" face="Arial" size="2">John
Nordlund<br>
Quality Data Analyst<br>
Audio International<br>
Phone: 501.801.0652<br>
Fax: 501.955.2988</font></b></a>
<p align="left"><a href="mailto:JFNordlund@DAHX.Com"><b><u><font
color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="2">JFNordlund@DAHX.Com</font></u></b></a></p>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Don AE5K wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid44E4AB51.3000608@ae5k.us" type="cite">
<pre wrap="">***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
Philip Covington wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">On the subject of flux: The best advise I can give is to throw away
your rosin based flux and solder. Get a gallon of Kester 2331-ZX
Water Soluble Soldering Flux and some 0.015" Kester "331" Organic
Water Soluble Flux core solder (63/37).
Flux:
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="http://www.philcovington.com/HPSDR/TOOLS/flux.JPG"><http://www.philcovington.com/HPSDR/TOOLS/flux.JPG></a>
Solder:
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="http://www.philcovington.com/HPSDR/TOOLS/solder.JPG"><http://www.philcovington.com/HPSDR/TOOLS/solder.JPG></a>
Some people laugh when they see the gallon of flux (comments like: you
have 20 years supply there). I laugh at those people when I hear
about them pulling up pads and traces with their solder wick.
Obviously they don't know that they are not using enough flux.
The water soluble stuff literally cleans up with running water. No
scrubbing, no smelly chemicals... Try it - you'll like it..
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><!---->
OK, I'm one of those who asked if you had enough ;-) but you've
convinced me. WHERE did you buy your gallon? I don't see it at either
Digi-Key or Mouser, so if you have a source suggestion, let's hear it.
Maybe I should put some of this info on the wiki FAQ too to help build
our knowledge pool.
Also source and details on the cheap syringes too. I've never been
"into" syringes except some years ago when I had a bunch of dogs that I
gave shots to.
The gallon of flux is too much for me so I plan to divvy it out to other
ham builders in the 4SQRP group sometime when I meet with them again.
Thanks,
Don AE5K
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</pre>
</blockquote>
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