OK International Metcal 500 Technical Notes Download

Page: 1 / 9

Technical Note

Hand Soldering
Basics

Table of Contents

Abstract..............................................................................................................................1

Process Control .................................................................................................................1

Tip Selection.......................................................................................................................2

Temperature Selection.......................................................................................................3

Flux Selection.....................................................................................................................4

Soldering Techniques.........................................................................................................5

Soldering Iron Tip Plating Failures.....................................................................................6

Tip Care: How to Maximize Cartridge Tip Life....................................................................8

Summary of Contents for Metcal 500

Page 1: ...ering Basics Table of Contents Abstract 1 Process Control 1 Tip Selection 2 Temperature Selection 3 Flux Selection 4 Soldering Techniques 5 Soldering Iron Tip Plating Failures 6 Tip Care How to Maximi...

Page 2: ...lower temperatures even with today s lead free processes Process Control To rework a PCB successfully with high quality standards stringent process controls must be developed Putting process controls...

Page 3: ...tching rubbing pressing hard etc will not aid the transfer of heat Using a tip that is too small will take longer will abuse the tip and will not efficiently pass power to the load A small tip will se...

Page 4: ...delivery depending on the size of the load Direct Power allows soldering of heavy loads at low temperatures by maximizing power heat to the load Take Flux Type into Consideration If you are using a No...

Page 5: ...anged Customers often specify a particular flux that must be made part of the rework process Flux can be found in solder core wire or added to the solder joint in liquid or paste form Flux is very imp...

Page 6: ...ight away and there is less of it Therefore the tip will oxidize faster It s almost like not using flux at all Note If you are adding liquid or paste flux to the joint it means that the flux in your w...

Page 7: ...n the tip on the sponge tin the tip with RMA solder and turn the system off Soldering Iron Tip Plating Failures Even under normal usage the plating on all soldering iron tips will eventually fail Plat...

Page 8: ...drag solder use a specialty SMT tip Do not use commercial tip tinners for routine tinning Use a flux core solder wire or paste Use a clean wet sponge to clean the tip Do not use a dry sponge rag or a...

Page 9: ...itable activity during soldering Use only clean sponges Use de ionized purified water to wet the sponges Below oxides other build up on tip prevent wetting No Clean Solders Use the lowest possible tem...