What flux do you use for indium?

Indium Corporation

From One Engineer to Another^®

What flux do you use for indium?

Friday, March 6, 2009 by Jim Hisert [Jim Hisert]

Don’t’ expect a simple answer – that depends on your application.

If you are looking for a solder paste, NC-SMQ80 is the flux vehicle of choice. For spray applications 5RMA has a strong following on Au substrate applications. For niche ball attach or specialty processes needing a tacky flux, WS-363 delivers the best wetting on ENIG (see attached chart), but WS-575 has a more useable rheology for pin-transfer. PoP Flux 030B is your ticket in no-clean applications at these low temperatures.

Did I mention all these options are Halogen-Free?

Comments for What flux do you use for indium?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 by Liya:: Jim, You mean 5RMA can work with Indium Alloys? or only Q80 and TACflux 012 do?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 by Jim Hisert:: Hi Liya, NC-SMQ80 flux vehicle is needed for indium alloy paste, but many different fluxes can be used for stand-alone flux. TacFlux 012 is used specifically for rework of NC-SMQ80 solder paste due to a similarity/compatibility. For semiconductor packaging applications TacFlux 012 is not needed because solder paste residues are not encountered. Many of the newer fluxes (as mentioned) have charactoristics better suited for various applications. ~Jim

Jim Hisert