Soldering is a joining process that uses solder to join two different metal parts together. The solder is made of a metal alloy usually tin and lead, which is melted on the surface that requires joining. The joining is done using soldering iron when heated above 600 degrees Fahrenheit which is above the melting temperature of the solder. The soldering iron can be connected to electricity or placed directly on fire, causing the solder to melt. The joint is created when it cools.
The solder is used to create strong permanent bonds, is mostly used by electricians on circuit boards, and can be widely used on pipe joining. The solder core contains the flux, a material used to strengthen and improve the mechanical properties of the joint. Learn about the Brazing joining process.
Now, let’s go deep to explain what soldering is, its applications, equipment, diagram, types, advantages, disadvantages, and how it works!
Contents
What is Soldering?
As earlier mentioned, soldering is a joining technique that is used to join different types of metals together using a melting solder. The solder is a metal alloy usually made of tin and lead which is melted using hot iron called soldering iron.
At first, filler materials used in soldering were lead-based (lead solder), but over time it has been increasingly replaced with lead-free solders, which consist of bismuth, brass, copper, antimony, indium, tin, or silver.
Soldering Flux
Soldering flux is a chemical compound that helps prepare a surface for efficient soldering by improving wetting, removing oxides and enhancing the flow of the solder. flux are available in form of liquid, paste, or core within the solder wire.
The flux used in soldering is rosin flux as it serves different purposes on the joint such as adding mechanical strength and electrical contact to the joint. this rosin flux also has advantages on surfaces containing impurities such as oil, dirt, or oxidation. It helps to prevent oxidation and sometimes cleans the metal chemically. Sometimes a wetting agent will be applied to reduce surface tension.
Applications of Soldering
With various applications and fields today, soldering can be be used differently, although it is popular in the electrical electronics field. Here I be listing other lucrative field that make use of soldering process.
- Soldering copper roof
- Soldering of metal gutters
- Soldering of stained glass and mosaics
- Soldering plastic circuit boards
- Sodering in plumbing
- Soldering of electrical boards
- Soldering in the automotive field
- Soldering in jewelry production
- Soldering vacuum tubes
Types of soldering
The three kinds of soldering used to achieve different level of joint strength are soft soldering, hard soldering, and brazing.
Soft Soldering
These soldering types have the lowest filler metal melting point of about 400 degrees Celsius. Its filler metals are usually made of alloys, containing lead with liquidus temperature under 350 degrees Celsius. This is because of the low temperatures used in soldering thermal stress components. Soft soldering is not suitable for mechanical load-bearing applications. It cannot also suit high-temperature use as the soldering type loses strength and melts when exposed to heat.
Hard (silver) Soldering
These types of soldering use brass or silver in the bonding process. Its melting point is above 450 degrees Celsius, which can be achieved using a blowtorch. These soldering types offer strong joints.
Brazing
Brazing is the third soldering type that uses a metal with a very high melting point. The soldering process is closely similar to that of hard soldering, in which the melting point is also above 450 degrees Celsius. The metals are exposed to sufficient heat, that is, the parts that require joining. The soldering metal will then be placed between them which will melt and acts as a bonding agent.
Learn about the types of soldering here!
How Does Soldering Works
Soldering is perform by melting solder using heat from soldering iron or an iron connected to a temperature controller. The temperature of this heat is beyond the melting point of the solder at around 600 degrees hafrenheit. It melt the solder, and when it cools, a soldered joint is obtained.
Flux is used during the soldering process to add mechanical strength and electrical contact to the joint. Resin flux is often used, which has the benefits of treating impurities such as oil, dirt, or oxidation on the workpiece. However, solder can also be removed from workpiece by using desoldering tool. The working of soldering can be simplify into the following steps:
- Melting the Solder
- Cleaning the Components
- Placement of PCB
- Application of Solder
- Cleaning
Diagram of Soldering
What is Soldering Iron?
This soldering iron contains an insulated handle and a pointed metal, which is expected to be kept clean. The sharpness and cleanness of the tip will influence good soldering. A wet sponge is used to clean the tip of the soldering iron and a solder sucker is used to remove excessive solder on the tip.
A soldering gun is another soldering tool used on applications that requires more heat, offering more heat than irons. This soldering gun is used on sheet metals, heavily electronic, and stained glass. it offers quick, neat, and perfect operation
Uses of Soldering Iron and Gun
Soldering iron is a hand tool used during soldering operation, it produces the high temperatures when connected to electrical power. This tool is the important tool needed in soldering setup, it is used to remove excessive solder and placed the right amount of the working board.
One the other hand, Soldering gun is used on applications that required more heat than what soldering iron can produce. They are perfectly used for joining stained glass, light sheet metal and heavy electronic soldering work. Soldering gun are more effective and quicker for havier projects.
Advantages of Soldering
Below are the benefits of soldering:
- Base metal or material does not melt
- Non-metals can be joined
- Joining can be done at low temperature
- Less operating time
- Can be perform any anyone after few practice
Disadvantages of Soldering
Below are the limitations of soldering:
- Not suitable for all kind of joining works especially ones under high temperature.
- Joint strength is less
- Not useful for long length joining
- Produces toxic gas when flux is introduce.
Learn about the best soldering irons here!
That is all for this article, where I explained what soldering is, its applications, equipment, diagram, types, advantages, disadvantages, and how it works. I hope it was helpful, if so, kindly share with others. Thanks for reading, see you around!
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