Water-based solder flux and some advantages

Water-based solder flux is becoming more and more popular these days. So what are the outstanding advantages of this solder flux? The following article will answer this question for you.

General information about solder flux and solder flux that is water-based

Solder Flux 

Solder Flux is a flux commonly used in soldering electronic components. This substance makes tin solder easier. In particular, thanks to this substance, the weld also becomes more beautiful and of better quality.

Currently, Solder Flux exists mainly in 2 forms: liquid and cream. You can also see it in solid form, then it’s turpentine. Each form of solder flux will be suitable for a different welding process. For example, the liquid flux will be used to solder electronic boards, and flux cream will be used to repair boards. The difference between liquid and cream is in their mechanical properties. The cream form can be applied exactly to the position to be soldered and not spread to unnecessary places, keeping components from moving, so it is mainly used for repair purposes. The liquid form is easier to use, has higher adhesion, is more economical, and is suitable for soldering a large number of electronic components.

Water-based solder flux and its advantages

Solder flux is currently classified into three types: alcohol-based flux (alcohol-based, VOC), water-based flux (water-based, VOC-free), and amphoteric (low VOC). Although alcohol-based solder flux is the most commonly used, it is gradually being replaced by water-based solder flux.

Water-based solder flux is a flux that is non-volatile and non-flammable at room temperature. You also do not need to clean up after soldering because the solids content is very low and there is little residue. In particular, the water-based flux has high adhesion efficiency, increasing the quality of the weld.

Water-based solder flux provides excellent wetting, and filling for all materials, no alloy coating, no visible residue, and high thermal insulation. Especially this water-based flux does not contain harmful substances such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, and halogen. So it is suitable for wave soldering, spot welding, and dip welding.

Unlike water-based ones, alcohol-based ones are flammable, volatile, and have a stronger odor. Therefore, when using an alcohol base, it is easy to catch fire and burn at room temperature. Therefore, when welding manually, alcohol-based is not suitable for use because it evaporates quickly and is not safe for the environment. Instead, you should use a water-based type that will increase the strength of the weld, be safe for the environment, and especially not burn.

Application of water-based solder flux

Water-based solder flux is applied in the “no-clean flux” technology. In this technology, the total amount of flux applied to the PCB surface is very important to get the best solder and minimize the residual flux on the PCB. There are currently two types of “wash less” flux in use: alcohol-based and water-based flux. But due to the low surface tension of alcohol-based flux, easier to wet and easy to dry, it is not suitable for long-term heating and double wave soldering.

Therefore, people will use water-based solder flux instead. Because in general, the water base will be stronger than the alcohol base, and the requirement for steaming heat is also stronger, it is easier to dry the surface. Besides, the surface tension of the water base is high, so the PCB surface is not easy to wet with flux.

Notes when using water-based Solder Flux

To get a beautiful, quality weld when using water-based Solder Flux, you must keep a few things in mind:

• Pay attention to the steaming heat capacity.
• Only use the flux spray method to put the water-based flux in the position to be soldered.
• It is necessary to adjust the solder wave temperature to convert all the flux if you do not want it to be corroded.

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Above are some outstanding advantages of water-based solder flux. Hopefully, through this article, you have been able to understand more about this solder flux. Currently, Thetech is one of the reputable units providing quality standard Solder Flux used in soldering electronic circuits at super preferential prices. Customers wishing to buy Solder Flux, please contact Thetech to receive a detailed quote!