Solder Flux or Solder Paste

- A
- amerzakaria
  
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posted
17 years ago

Wed, Aug 9, 2006 3:54 PM

Hello all,

I am somehow new to SMD soldering, and to some - lets say - soldering techniques. I was just wondering, will applying liquid from a solder flux pen to the surface I want to mount the SMD component on be enough or I also need to apply solder paste then. Also, if I have to apply solder paste, which goes first the solder flux or paste.

Thank you for your help, and excuse my ignorant questions.

A2K

- L
- Leon
  
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posted
17 years ago

Wed, Aug 9, 2006 5:12 PM

Flux is often used with conventional wire solder when using manual soldering techniques like drag soldering. Solder paste is used for reflow soldering and contains flux.

Leon

- R
- Rich Grise
  
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posted
17 years ago

Wed, Aug 9, 2006 10:17 PM

I _did_ find a use for liquid flux once:

In the USAF, in the "avionics" shops ("aviation electronics"), they generally have about a quart jug of liquid flux on hand. I never used it for soldering, because we used rosin-core solder, and I know how to solder. ;-) I did find an awesome application for the liquid flux, however. They have spools of some waxed flat string that they use for lacing cables (example:

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) and inside an airplane, everything gets covered with oily crud, so it's practically impossible to get a grip on anything. I poured a little of the liquid flux on my fingers, let it dry, and, well, I had rosin on my fingers, so they were, like, anti-slippery. Laced the cable right up!

Cheers! Rich