What Is Soldering? 110

activator

A substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without being affected itself.

activity

The measure of flux cleaning strength. The more active the flux, the more effectively it cleans.

adhesive bonding

The joining of two or more materials through the use of a nonmetallic material such as liquids, drops, or gels.

alloy

A uniform mixture of two or more materials. One of the materials must be a metal.

ammonia

A toxic and corrosive compound with a characteristic pungent odor.

antimony

A blue-white metal used in a wide variety of alloys, electronics, and rubber.

arcing

Overheating that occurs when electricity flows from one surface to another. Electric arcs are dangerous because they can cause electric shock as well as burns and UV radiation.

bismuth

A white, brittle metal with a pinkish tinge that is added to steel to improve machinability.

brazing

A process in which a filler metal is melted at a temperature above 840° F (450° C), but below the melting point of the base metals to form a joint between two base metals. Brazing differs from welding because only the filler metal is melted.

capillary action

The ability of a substance to draw a liquid upwards against the force of gravity. For example, solder clings to a lead wire protruding upward from a PCB hole through capillary action.

clamps

Devices used to join, grip, support, or compress mechanical or structural parts.

cold joint

A dull, poorly soldered joint that does not provide good conductivity.

conduction

The transmission of heat across matter.

conductivity

The measure of a material's ability to conduct heat or electric current.

convection

The transfer of potential energy, for example heat, by currents within a fluid.

desoldering

The removal of solder and components from a circuit for troubleshooting and repair purposes.

electrical assembly

An electrical assembly is made from a frame, an electrical connector, and a self-contained part known as a module.

electrically conductive

Electrical conductivity refers to an object's ability to transmit an electrical charge.

electronics fabrication

The design, test, manufacture, and distribution of electronic components and assemblies.

eutectic point

The lowest temperature at which a substance will melt.

flux

A substance that facilitates soldering, brazing, and welding by chemically cleaning the metals to be joined.

flux pen

A flux application tool, usually shaped like a marker pen, that channels controlled amounts of water-soluble flux onto metal surfaces.

fume extractor

A fan or vent that diverts toxic fumes away from the soldering work area.

hand soldering

Soldering that is performed manually with a soldering iron.

heat transfer

The passage of thermal energy, i.e. energy in the form of heat, from a hot to a cold body.

hydrochloric acid

An acidic, highly corrosive chemical compound used in industry.

inorganic

Composed of matter other than plant or animal.

joint

The point at which two pieces of metal make contact and are bonded together with solder.

lead

A soft, heavy, toxic and malleable metal often used in solder.

organic

Derived from a living organism.

oxidation

A material's chemical reaction with oxygen. Oxidation causes rust and tarnish to form on metal surfaces, and prevents solder from bonding.

PCBs

In electronics, printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive surface.

photons

Particles of light energy produced by the sun.

radiation

A process of emission of energy in the form of waves or particles.

reflow soldering

An automated soldering process in which PCBs are run through an oven on a conveyor belt. Heat from the oven causes granules of solder to melt and form a joint.

residue

A substance deposited or left behind by a reaction or event.

robot

A mechanical device that automatically performs complicated and repetitive taks. Robots often perform work that is too dangerous or strenuous for humans.

rosin-based

A rosin-based flux is composed of rosin, a substance derived from the sap of pine trees.

short circuits

An interruption in the intended flow of electricity, especially when current flows "short" of reaching a device. A short circuit causes excess current flow.

silver

A silvery white metal that has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. Silver is also fairly expensive.

solder

A fusible metal alloy, with a melting point or melting range below 840°F (450° C), which is melted to join metallic surfaces, especially in the fields of electronics and plumbing, in a process called soldering.

soldering

A process in which a filler metal is melted at temperatures below 840° (450° C) to form a joint between two base metals. Soldering is often used for delicate projects such as jewelry and electronics.

soldering iron

A tool used to transfer heat to a metal surface in order to melt solder and form a joint or circuit. Most soldering irons resemble a large pen.

soldering iron stand

A non-flammable stand upon which to set a hot soldering iron.

soldering station

An all-in-one combination of soldering accessories: soldering iron, iron stand, cleaning pad, energy source. Some stations include fume extractors as well.

tin

A silvery white metal that is very soft and has poor strength. Tin is used in soldering alloys.

tinning

The action of applying a trace amount of solder to the tip of the soldering iron in order to facilitate the heat transfer process.

toxic

Poisonous or harmful. Lead is considered to be highly toxic.

vapor-phase soldering

An automated soldering process in which PCBs are put in a chamber with a volatile liquid chemical at the bottom. The chemical is heated to its boiling point to form steam, and the steam heats the solder paste at the bottom of the board.

water-soluble

The ability of a substance to dissolve in water.

wave soldering

An automated soldering process in which PCBs are loaded onto a conveyor that passes over a vat of molten solder. As the conveyor belt moves, a wave is created with a pump. The bottom of the board hits the crest of the wave, and the solder sticks through capillary action.

welding

The joining of two pieces of metal together through the application of heat.

wetting

The behavior of a liquid when the liquid contacts a solid surface. Liquids with poor wetting ability tend to form droplets, while liquids with good wetting ability tend to spread out evenly over the solid surface area.

whiskers

A crystalline metallurgical phenomenon whereby metal grows tiny, filiform hairs. The effect is primarily seen on elemental metals but also occurs with alloys.