Flux
Why Do I Need Flux When The Man In The Shop Says There Is Flux In The Solder?
Reliable solder connections can only be accomplished with truly cleaned surfaces. Solvents can be used to clean the surfaces prior to soldering but are insufficient due to the extremely rapid rate at which oxides form on the surface of heated metals. To overcome this oxide film, it becomes necessary in electronic soldering to use materials called fluxes. Fluxes consist of natural or synthetic rosins and sometimes chemical additives called activators.
It is the function of the flux to remove oxides and keep them removed during the soldering operation. This is accomplished by the flux action which is very corrosive at solder melt temperatures and accounts for fluxs ability to rapidly remove metal oxides. In its unheated state, however, rosin flux is non-corrosive and non-conductive and thus will not affect the circuitry. It is the fluxing action of removing oxides and carrying them away, as well as preventing the reformation of new oxides that allows the solder to form the desired intermetallic bond.
Flux must melt at a temperature lower than solder so that it can do its job prior to the soldering action. It will volatilize very rapidly; thus it is mandatory that flux be melted to flow onto the work surface and not be simply volatilized by the hot iron tip to provide the full benefit of the fluxing action. There are varieties of fluxes available for many purposes and applications. The most common types include: Rosin - No Clean, Rosin - Mildly Activated and Water Soluble.
When used, liquid flux should be applied in a thin, even coat to those surfaces being joined and prior to the application of heat. Cored wire solder and solder paste should be placed in such a position that the flux can flow and cover the joints as the solder melts. Flux should be applied so that no damage will occur to the surrounding parts and materials.
