Solder Basics... If I needed to pick my favorite flux for hand soldering, it would easily be PoP Flux 030B. I know it’s probably never going to find itself in household soldering toolkits, it’s a semiconductor packaging material – most people never need that good of a flux around the house, but I said it was my favorite, not the most practical.
This is why PoP Flux 030B is the best choice around the house:
1) It has proven it’s solderability to ENIG, silver, oxidized copper, OSP, and nickel with Pb free and Sn/Pb alloys (which I’d choose any day for my personal soldering applications).
2) It is a halogen free, no-clean flux, so you can just leave it on the pipes, connectors, or stereo wires you’re connecting.
3) It is safe to use even if it isn’t completely heated and cured – this is rare for a no-clean flux.
4) The airless packaging process gives it a unique tack/viscosity ratio and a smooth texture that you just don’t get with cheapo off-the-store-shelf fluxes.
5) It activates at a relatively low temperature but can endure ~300degC reflow. Hand soldering is not accurate, so I like the widened process window.
6) I think it’s pretty cool to use such an advanced flux for low-tech soldering, it’s overkill at its finest.
This is a rare photo taken in the underground Structural Solder Joint Test Facility (SSJTF) nearly 5 miles below a small farming town in Central NY. The light that you see is not really just a cellar window…
Comments for The Best Flux For Hand Soldering and Rework
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Name: Arman GeorgeTime: Saturday, August 21, 2010Hi Jim,
Another question if you have an answer:
What's the best soldering wire available, I mean one which it bonds properly and it doesn't round up in little balls.
Thanks again!
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Name: Jim H.Time: Monday, August 30, 2010Tricky question... That has as much to do with the flux and surface metallization than the alloy being used - that's why us app engineers have jobs! In general though, I like to use Sn/Pb solder for my own projects. Sn/Pb wets well and is compatible with most solderable surfaces. If you're having solder-balling issues, email us at askus@indium.com and we can suggest the perfect flux and alloy for your application!
~Jim
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Name: Tom SteeleTime: Monday, February 13, 2012Where can I find the POP flux 030b?
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Name: Jim H.Time: Tuesday, February 14, 2012That's a much easier question Tom! Simply give us a call at (315)853-4900 or send an email to askus@indium.com. We offer PoP Flux 030B.
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