26 July 2006Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Soldering is based on the ability of different metals to dissolve or diffuse into each other and to cause an electrical connection at lowest resistance and mechanical fixing. Flux is used to dissolve metal-oxygen layers on the surface of the different metals being connected with each other due to the dissolving of the tin into them.
Soldering tips
A soldering tip has two major tasks. The first is to transfer thermal energy with as low a loss as possible, and secondly, to carry the solder on the joint in combination with flux. Due to physics, the tip turns out to be a wearing part. And these tasks have to be done in combination with achieving long lifetime and at lowest cost.
To achieve excellent thermal conductivity, a soldering tip consists of a copper core (silver would be better, but is much more expensive).
The wettability of copper with solder tin is extremely good, which means the solubility of copper in solder tin is extremely high, causing the tip to be quickly consumed. The tip must be wettable to properly carry the heat and the tin on the soldering joint. Iron is also wettable with tin, but the solubility is far less. Unfortunately iron has a very low thermal conductivity and hinders thermal flow. The thicker the iron layer, the lower the heat transfer from the tip towards the soldering joint. The thinner the iron layer, the shorter the lifetime due to the solubility of iron in tin. Using other materials that are not soluble in tin will cause a non-wettable tip and poor soldering results.
Heating tips to high temperatures
The aggressiveness of the solubility of iron into tin increases with rising temperature. So also, the mechanical resistance of the tip's iron layer is reduced. When soldering, the tip is somehow always touching some part of the component and is in contact with the aggressive tin. Now, with lead-free soldering, the content of the tin in the solder is increased by 35%. This results in a 35% more aggressive solder towards the iron layer, simply causing reduction in life.
Now, standard tips have an average iron layer of 200 μm depending on the geometrical form. Weller's new LF tips carry an optimised layer of twice as much iron. More iron would cause a lower heat transfer and hinder the soldering process. Influence of the temperature to the lifetime and iron layer can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1. The graph shows that the LT-LF soldering tips provide a cost reduction and that the main influence to tip lifetime is the soldering temperature
A general recommendation is to use a tip as large as possible, and if necessary, to improve the process by using a thinner solder-wire. For lead-free solder, the adjusted soldering temperature at the station should be in the range of 340-360°C, depending on the geometry of the tip. For further enhancement of tip lifetime 'Stop+Go' stands should be used.
Weller limited Black Edition soldering station Testerion
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Weller’s WE1010 Black Edition Soldering Station is a premium limited-edition soldering station.
Read more...Quick and easy shielding Würth Electronics South Africa
Electronics Technology Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Würth Elektronik expands its EMC product portfolio with nanocrystalline WE-FNCS sheets.
Read more...Smarter local buying could reboot South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
With smarter localisation, clearer procurement rules and a more deliberate industrial strategy, public spending could again become a powerful engine for rebuilding factories, expanding supply chains and restoring confidence in South Africa as a place that makes things.
Read more...The effect of seasonal changes on ESD performance in South Africa Actum
Editor's Choice Circuit & System Protection Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Electrostatic discharge performance is influenced by several environmental factors, with relative humidity being one of the most important. This is particularly relevant in South Africa, where seasonal changes can result in significant differences in humidity levels.
Read more...High precision in-line conformal coating inspection system MyKay Tronics
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Conformal coating is widely used to protect electronics from moisture or other environmental hazards. It is critical to know if coatings are properly applied; covering what is meant to be covered and not covering what should be exposed.
Read more...Soldering day highlights
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
JAPAN UNIX has published a new event report and highlight video from their UNIX SOLDERING DAY 2026 in Hungary. This event reflects on their commitment to supporting manufacturers not only through soldering automation systems, but also through technical education, live demonstrations, hands-on training, and practical engineering know-how.
Read more...Clearing the Static: Electrostatic Discharge Actum
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
A cordless ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) wrist strap does not work by grounding the person in the same way as a traditional wired wrist strap. Instead, it works by reducing or balancing the static charge on your body so that you are less likely to discharge electricity into sensitive electronic components.
Read more...Engineering trust in South Africa’s SMT sector ZETECH ONE
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
From a small Johannesburg start-up to a trusted SMT technology partner, Zetech One has spent four decades helping South African electronics manufacturers improve production quality, efficiency and reliability.
Read more...The new reality of PCB material supply Jemstech
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
How resilient manufacturing strategies are helping OEMs navigate a changing global supply chain.
Read more...Streamlining Device Programming with the AutoBee-D1 Vepac Electronics
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The AutoBee-D1 desktop automated programmer is designed to simplify the programming of devices, while delivering consistent accuracy, high throughput and reduced manual intervention.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version