Soldering & The Tinning Process Electronics 1 CVHS
What is Soldering? Solid electrical connection Mechanically connects metal to metal Electronic soldering soft soldering 350° F
Wave Soldering Machine
Wave- Intake
Successful Soldering 1. Correct solder and flux 2. Required equipment 3. Clean soldering pencil tip 4. Safety
Solder Metal alloy of tin and lead Symbol for tin - Sn Symbol for lead - Pb 63% tin and 37% lead
Solder – 63Sn/37Pb No mushy range Eutectic alloy Lowest melting solder alloy 350°F - 600°F
Solder - 60/40 Use 60/40 in electronics because less expensive Standard Wire Gauge - SWG SWG .031
Flux Helps solder flow Removes oxidation Protects copper while solder melts
Flux Rosin-based is used for electronics Acid-based is corrosive DO NOT USE IN ELECTRONICS Used in stain glass lampshades
Flux Available as a paste Available as a liquid Solder has a rosin flux core
Equipment Soldering gun Instant heat - high watts Too hot Copper tracks and pads come off board Damage components
Equipment Soldering iron (pencil) Slower warm-up Lower wattage - 25 watts Tight spots Various tips - conical best
Clean Tip Tip becomes oxidized with heat Wipe off oxidation with damp sponge
Clean Tip File away heavy oxidation
Clean Tip Tin pencil tip Prevents oxidation
What is tinning? “Tinning” means covering the tracks & pads on your PCB with solder PCB tracks & pads are made of copper When exposed to air & oils on your skin, copper oxidizes PCB must be tinned in order to prevent corrosion & ensure a good electrical connection
Steps for tinning your PCB 1.Clean all tracks 2.Apply flux to all tracks 3.Heat tracks & add solder 4.Spread & add solder over all tracks
Safety Solder over workbench Treat pencil as always hot Safety glasses must be worn Solder Contains Lead – Washing hands is recommended
Safety Put pencil in stand
Review 1. The best ratio of solder to use in electronics is: 2. This is because: 3. We use _______-based flux 4. What is the difference between a soldering gun & pencil? 5. Why do we tin our PCB’s 6. What safety considerations are important to remember when soldering?
Demonstration