What Is The Size Tip I Need For Weller Tip Phone Repair

What is soldering?

Soldering is the joining of ii metal surfaces mechanically and electrically, with the utilise of metal called solder. Solder secures the connection then information technology doesn't interruption loose due to vibration or other mechanical forces. It also provides electrical continuity, so that the electronic point tin travel through the connexion without interruption. The solder is melted using a soldering iron. Flux is used to make clean and prep the surfaces, which allows the melted solder to flow (or "wet") and bond with the metal surfaces.

Paw soldering is the process of soldering one connectedness (called "solder joint") at a fourth dimension, as opposed to more automated soldering processes such as wave soldering (for thru-hole components) or reflow soldering (for SMT components).

soldering diagram with PCB, wire solder, pad, and lead

What do I need to solder electronics?

When soldering an electronic connector to a contact bespeak (often called a "pad"), you mostly need the following:

A soldering atomic number 26 capable of reaching the melting point of the solder.
Wire solder, with or without a flux core.
Flux, if the wire solder does non include a flux core or if additional flux is needed.

What is a soldering iron?

A soldering iron is a hand tool used to solder 2 metal surfaces together. At its simplest form, information technology consists of a metallic tip, a heating element that brings the tip upwardly to soldering temperature, an insulated handle to allow safe holding of the soldering iron, and a plug for either a wall outlet or the soldering station.

The soldering tip's job is to transfer rut from the heating element to the piece of work. It has a copper interior, which acts as an effective and efficient thermal conductor. It besides has iron plating to protect the soft, corrosive-prone copper from flux and solder, and chrome-nickel plating to keep the flux from wetting upward the tip.

Beyond that, there are options that provide better control over the soldering fe temperature and estrus response (time it takes to heat upwardly again after soldering). These include soldering tips, which are metallic slugs that residual against the heating element, and others which are integrated with the heating chemical element in a cartridge.
diagram of soldering tip
standard tip, cartridge tip

What is the deviation betwixt a soldering iron and a soldering station?

On the low terminate, most advisable for hobbyists, a soldering iron may plug directly into the electrical wall outlet, which provides no control over soldering iron temperature. But on or off. With a soldering station, the soldering iron plugs into the station for greater command over temperature, and other features similar gear up-temperature retentivity, lock-out, etc.

What type of solder should I use?

While there is a large variety of different types of solder, at the near basic, yous need to choose between lead or lead-free, the diameter of the wire, flux core or solid wire, and the blazon of flux.

Lead or lead-costless – Solder is mostly a combination of metals, which are chosen for the best reliability and electrical conductivity. Lead, often combined with tin, has been the mainstay of electronic soldering since its inception. Pb has a relatively depression melting point and readily wets and flows, which makes the process faster, easier, and more fool-proof. Considering of environmental and health concerns around, there has been force per unit area to move to lead-complimentary solder, which is often a combination of tin and silver. Atomic number 82-gratuitous solders have a higher melting indicate and more often than not require more than active or more than concentrated fluxes (college solids content) to attain the same soldering performance as leaded solders. For typical manual soldering, if washed properly, reliability between lead and lead-free solders should be about the same. For loftier-finish electronics used in farthermost environments (e.g. aerospace electronics), at that place are concerns with the trend of bright tin can in lead-complimentary solder to crystallize and course tin whiskers -- thin wires of tin that can grow from the solder joints.
If you lot are repairing or assembling electronics for use in the The states, lead solder is the easiest to work with and it forms the nigh reliable solder joints. The lower heat also generates less thermal stress on the remainder of the PCB. If the end product is existence shipped outside of the United states of america, especially to Europe, you should consider lead-free solder. An exception might exist for high-reliability electronics like those used in aerospace. In that example, check with the specifications and requirements of the stop-user of the electronics. Lead-free may still be required, just there may exist exemptions in identify that permit for the use of lead solder.
Diameter of solder wire – Brand sure y'all don't misfile solder wire intended for plumbing with solder wire intended for electronics. Wire for plumbing volition be much thicker, 2mm in diameter or higher. Electronics solder wire volition be thinner, from 1.5mm down to 1/2mm, or fifty-fifty less. Match the bore to the size of the connectors and contacts you lot are soldering. If the bore of the wire solder is as well minor, you will be going through too much solder.Too large and it could be hard to maneuver around a dense PCB, thus increasing the chance of thermally stressing or fifty-fifty soldering other components that are unrelated to your repair.
Flux cadre or solid wire – Virtually wire solder comes with a flux core, so the flux will automatically activate and period over the soldering area when the solder is melted. It is more convenient and efficient to work with. Solid wire tin can be used, with flux added past a brush, a bottle dispenser, or a pen dispenser. Unless a very specific flux is required that is non available equally a wire solder core, flux core wire solder is generally recommended.
Type of flux -- No-clean flux is a skilful selection for soldering where cleaning is to be avoided. The light residue can exist left on the board, or removed with a flux remover. Rosin activated flux (RA) provides excellent solderability in a wide variety of applications. It is best to remove the rest afterward soldering for aesthetics and to avoid corrosion downwards-the-line. Rosin flux (R) or mildly activated rosin flux (RMA) can generally be left on the PCB after soldering unless aesthetics are a problem. Water soluble flux (OA) is a very active flux engineered to be removed easily with DI water, similar in a batch or in-line system. Information technology tin also be removed with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). It is very important to clean off water soluble flux residues considering they are highly corrosive.
You may likewise see options for "halogen-free" or "goose egg halogen". These classifications are for companies that take greenish initiatives, or have to comply with element of group vii restrictions due to regulatory or client restrictions. Halogens include chlorine, fluorine, iodine, bromine and astatine elements. These can come up with merchandise-offs similar cleanability, so if y'all aren't required to eliminate halogens from your process, it is easier to stay with standard fluxes that contain halogens.

Should I use atomic number 82 or lead-free solder?

If you are repairing or assembling electronics for use in the US, lead solder is the easiest to work with and information technology forms the most reliable solder joints. The lower estrus likewise generates less thermal stress on the residue of the PCB. If the terminate production is existence shipped outside of the Us, especially to Europe, you should consider lead-free solder. An exception might be for loftier-reliability electronics like those used in aerospace. In that case, check with the specifications and requirements of the stop-user of the electronics. Pb-free may still be required, only there may be exemptions in place that allow for the use of pb solder.

What is flux?

Recall of flux and a prepping agent for the soldering process. When joining 2 metal surfaces together with solder, there needs to be a proficient metallurgic bond, and then that the solder articulation doesn't break loose and electrical continuity doesn't fluctuate with mechanical, temperature, and other stresses. Flux removes whatever oxidation that may be present and slightly etches the surface to promote wetting. "Wetting" is the procedure of solder flowing over the surfaces of the contacts and the soldering tip, which is very of import in the soldering process.

What blazon of flux should I use?

No-make clean flux is a good choice for soldering where cleaning is to exist avoided. The light residue can be left on the board, or removed with a flux remover. Rosin activated flux (RA) provides fantabulous solderability in a wide multifariousness of applications. Information technology is best to remove the residue after soldering for aesthetics and to avert corrosion downwardly-the-line. Rosin flux (R) or mildly activated rosin flux (RMA) can generally exist left on the PCB afterwards soldering unless aesthetics are a problem. Water soluble flux (OA) is a very active flux engineered to be removed hands with DI water, like in a batch or in-line system. It can also exist removed with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). It is very of import to make clean off water soluble flux residues because they are highly corrosive.

You may also encounter options for "halogen-free" or "zero halogens". These classifications are for companies that have green initiatives, or take to comply with element of group vii restrictions due to regulatory or customer restrictions. Halogens include chlorine, fluorine, iodine, bromine and astatine elements. These can come with trade-offs like cleanability, so if you aren't required to eliminate halogens from your procedure, information technology is easier to stay with standard fluxes that contain halogens.

Practise I need to add extra flux when soldering?

If soldering a simple connection, like two wires, or a thru-hole lead, the flux in a flux core solder should be enough. For more complex soldering techniques, like drag soldering multiple leads on a surface mount component, boosted flux may need to be added. The flux is activated and consumed when it originally flows from the core. If the solder is worked further, like when you drag across multiple leads, you run the take chances of common cold joints or bridging without additional flux. While more flux seems similar it should be better, have care not to over apply flux. Backlog flux needs to be removed, especially if it isn't fully activated past being heated to full soldering temperature.

Associated products:

Techspray No-Clean Flux Pen
Plato Needle Dispensing Bottles

How do I employ extra flux?

Flux can be painted on with an acid brush, or applied with either a needle bottle dispenser, or a pen dispenser. While more than flux seems like it should be meliorate, have care not to over apply flux. Excess flux needs to be removed, especially if it isn't fully activated by being heated to full soldering temperature.

Associated products:

Techspray No-Clean Flux Pen
Plato Needle Dispensing Bottles
Techspray Technical Brush

How do I solder?

Make sure the surfaces to be soldered are clean.
Turn on the soldering fe and fix temperature in a higher place the melting point of your solder. 600°- 650°F (316°- 343°C) is a good place to beginning for lead-based solder and 650°- 700°F (343°- 371°C) for lead-free solder.
Concord the tip confronting both the lead and contact point/pad for a few seconds. The idea is to bring both upward to a soldering temperature at the same time.
Touch the solder wire to the lead and contact point/pad a few times until solder flows around the lead and contact.
Inspect the solder joint to brand certain there is total coverage over the contact expanse and the lead. If it is a thru-hole lead, the hole should be filled and the solder joint forms a slight pyramid-like shape.
If necessary, trim the lead with a shear lead cutter. Practice not trim into the solder articulation, which can impairment the connection.
If using rosin activated flux, aqueous flux, or if the aesthetics of the flux residue is a problem, clean the area with a flux remover.

Associated products:

Plato soldering tips
Plato shear lead cutters
Techspray G3 Flux Remover
Techspray E-LINE Flux Remover

How hot practise I set the solder iron?

600°- 650°F (316°- 343°C) is a good place to starting time for lead-based solder and 650°- 700°F (343°- 371°C) for lead-free solder. You want the tip hot plenty to melt the solder efficiency, but excess estrus tin damage components as the heat travels along the leads, and it volition reduce the lifespan of the soldering tip.

How do I tell a skillful solder joint from a bad i?

Audit the solder joint to brand certain in that location is full coverage over the contact surface area and pb. Some things to watch out for:

If information technology is a thru-hole lead, the hole should be filled and the solder articulation forms a slight pyramid-similar shape.
If it is a surface mount's solder joint, the solder should fully cover the contact pad and surround the pb.
The lead should not exist loose or wiggle in one case it is soldered.
The solder shouldn't overflow or span onto other contact points/pads.
If using lead-based solder, the solder joint should be shiny. Unfortunately, lead-costless tends to have a duller finish, and so shininess is not a good indicator in that case.

How do I select the best soldering tip for my PCB repair task?

The goal is to friction match the tip shape and size to the contact pad. This allows y'all to maximize the contact surface area, and then that yous heat the lead and contact area as speedily as possible. If you lot choose a tip that is too big, you have more tip volume to rut, which will slow downwardly the estrus recovery - the time it takes for the tip to reheat afterward soldering a joint. Information technology also runs the risk of interfering with other components and contact areas. If you choose a tip that is too small, you won't have enough surface area of the tip in contact with either the lead or the contact area to transfer heat efficiently. Information technology will take more than dwell time, which slows you down and could increment the thermal stress of the component.

Make sure you are using a soldering iron and tips intended for electronic PCB soldering. Tips intended for other applications, like stained glass, plumbing, or heavy electrical piece of work, are generally much larger than what is advisable for electronics.

Soldering tips come in all kinds of shapes to facilitate different PCB geometries:

Pointed or conical – The end of the soldering tip comes to either a point or a round the flat area. The size is specified by the bore of the end, then information technology can range in size from 0.1mm to 1mm, or larger. These tips are generally used when pin-bespeak accurateness is needed, like with very fine leadless surface mount components. They may be long for greater reach in dense board design, or take a shorter microtip to reduce the amount of tip metal that needs to exist heated. This can better heat recovery. The ends of the tips may too exist bent to avert interfering with other components or contact areas.
Blade or knife – A bract tip is unremarkably used for drag soldering when the solder is drawn across multiple contact pads. This is common when soldering surface mountain technology (SMT) components. The size is measured along the length of the blade and tin be 6.3mm (one/4") or larger.
Chisel or screwdriver – A chisel allows you to heat a larger contact surface area, so it is useful for thru-hole solder joints. Lengths may vary and can too be bent, similar with a conical tip. The size is mainly specified as the length of the flat area, just the depth or thickness of the tip may as well vary. These can be then pocket-size that they almost await similar a signal, similar under 1mm, and every bit wide as five or 6mm.
Bevel – A beveled tip has a flat oval finish fix at an angle. Picture a metal rod that is a cantankerous section at an angle. The size is specified by the diameter of the "rod" or shaft and sometimes the angle of the bevel. A bevel can range from 1mm to 4mm, or even larger.
Flow tips – A menses tip looks similar in design to a askew tip, but instead of a flat area, it is a little indention or cup. This is besides chosen a "mini-moving ridge tip", and is usually used for drag soldering, equally explained above.

Associated products:

Plato soldering tips

Is it ok to prepare the heat at maximum temperature to speed up soldering?

In soldering, like everything else, speed is rex. Operators will turn up the soldering temperature to speed up heat throughput. This allows them to get from one solder articulation to the next faster. The catch – the higher the heat, the shorter the tip life. Sure, solder stations may go up to 900°F, only 750°F is the highest you need to go for a lead-complimentary wire. The extra estrus can besides unnecessarily stress components, increasing the chances of PCB failure later.

Why is the solder dripping off the soldering tip?

That is an indication that the soldering tip needs to be cleaned, so information technology is a "cold" tip (although it is still very hot, and then don't bear upon!). When flux and oxidation build up over time, the oestrus does not transfer as effectively and the solder doesn't wet, or flow over the tip properly. The solder will tend to melt just only drip off the tip. This makes it difficult to movement in order to solder around contact areas the manner you may need information technology.

How to clean a soldering iron?

Solder stations unremarkably come up with a sponge and/or brass "brillo" pad. The purpose is to remove excess flux and solder from the tip. If too much flux builds upwardly and burns onto the soldering tip, it will eventually dewet and be unusable (only non necessarily unrecoverable). Unless the tip cleaning tools are used properly, they tin can do more harm than good. When choosing a sponge, make sure it is fabricated of natural cellulose (similar Plato replacement sponges). Synthetic sponges will melt onto the soldering tip and can shorten tip life. Use make clean DI water. Tap h2o may include minerals that can build-up on the tip. When you saturate the sponge, wring it out then that information technology is non dripping wet. Too much water can increment the thermal stress of the tip, and dull down tip recovery.
tip tinner for soldering tip

When the soldering tip has turned black from baked on fluxes and no longer wets properly, information technology is time for the cleaning tools of concluding resort. Tip tinner (Plato #TT-95) is a combination of atomic number 82-gratis solder and cleaner. While the soldering iron is at full temperature, roll it in the tip tinner. Equally you roll it, it should change from black to shiny silver as the baked flux is cleaned off. Then wipe off the backlog tip tinner from the soldering tip, and re-tin using wire solder. Don't let the proper noun fool you – "tip tinner" is not intended to be left on the tip.

Polishing confined are also available and are used to scrub the tip clean of flux residues. This should but be used as a concluding resort because y'all volition be removing iron along with the burnt flux. Once a tip shows pitting - bodily holes in the iron - information technology is time to exist replaced.

Associated products:

Plato Sponges
Plato Brass Tip Cleaner
Plato Tip Tinner

Is a brass "brillo pad" or sponge amend for cleaning soldering tips?

Like everything else, there are pros and cons to each:

Contumely Tip Cleaner

Pro-Fast and piece of cake to use, doesn't crave saturating with water, and doesn't thermally shock the soldering tip.
Con – Information technology is abrasive, even though contumely is softer than the fe on the cease of the tip. It has more of a tendency to scratch the chrome plating, which keeps the solder from wetting up the tip. That could allow corrosion to creep in nether the plating, reducing the lifespan of the tip.

Recall to utilise a jabbing motion using a contumely tip cleaner. Wiping across the surface increases the likelihood of flinging molten solder.

Cellulose Sponge

Pro – It is an effective and fast way to clean a tip. They come up with unlike holes or slits to make information technology even faster and easier, and to avoid flinging molten solder.
Con – Cools down the tip, then requires the tip to heat up once again. It too tin can thermally stupor the tip, especially if the sponge is overly saturated. This can shorten the tip life by creating micro-fractures in the fe plating.

Make sure you are using a cellulose sponge that is intended for cleaning soldering tips. Cellulose is a natural fabric derived from wood pulp. It will non melt and harm the soldering tip as a synthetic sponge would. The sponge should not be soaking wet, only lightly clammy. Wring it out thoroughly afterwards saturating with Deionized (DI) water. DI water is recommended to prevent mineral build-upwardly on the soldering tip. One time your soldering tip has been cleaned, recollect to re-can past melting on a minor amount of solder on the stop of the tip. This prevents the working end of the tip, which is iron, from corroding when exposed to air over a menstruum of time. Associated products:

Plato Sponges
Plato Brass Tip Cleaner

Should I clean all the solder off the soldering tip later I'1000 finished soldering?

It is a mutual practice to wipe down the soldering tip earlier putting information technology back into its holder. This exposes the raw fe on the working end of the tip, which will rust in the open air. Add any residual flux to the mix, and you take a prematurely pitted soldering tip. Earlier taking a intermission or stopping for the twenty-four hour period, wipe off residual flux and solder, and re-tin by applying fresh solder to the end of the tip.

What tin can I practise to increment soldering tip life?

Since the movement from lead to atomic number 82-free solders, a common complaint has been short tip life. The higher rut needed for lead-gratis solders and flux combined with greater activeness leads to faster tip burn-out. Often the tips plow black, the solder chaplet and just drips off the finish of the tip. Information technology may besides be referred to equally a "cold tip", but accept care non to impact it with your bare fingers!

Soldering tips accept a copper core that transfers heat from the heating element to the working end (tip of the tip). Because copper is very soft and easily corroded and worn away, other metals are used to plate over the copper, including an outer layer of iron. Although iron is very hard, it will still corrode eventually. In addition, it can be coated with flux and other soils, which can cause dewetting. Corrosion and dewetting will slow down soldering and eventually necessitate scrapping the tip. Although all tips will take their day in the trash bin, at that place are several steps an operator can take to increment tip life:

Decline the heat
Properly clean the tip
Tin can the soldering tip
Utilize special cleaning tools

When leaving the solder station for anything over five minutes, turn information technology off. When y'all get out the station turned on, the tip remains at soldering temperature, further reducing tip life. Modern soldering equipment heats up to a soldering temperature in seconds, and so the fourth dimension savings is non worth the reduction in tip life.

Associated products:

Plato Sponges
Plato Contumely Tip Cleaner
Plato Tip Tinner

When should I throw away an old soldering tip?

When the tip is black and dewetting (solder doesn't cling to information technology), called a "common cold tip", it can by and large be cleaned and used again. One time at that place is pitting and visible corrosion, information technology is time for a new tip. The exterior of a soldering tip is plated with iron over the thermally conductive copper centre. This protects the soft, corrosion-prone copper from the harsh fluxes. Once flux gets through the iron plating through pits, the tip will be eaten away quickly.

How can I avoid corrosion on the PCB afterwards I'm finished soldering?

Flux residues can cause dendritic growth and corrosion on PCB assemblies, so make sure you're using best practices and cleaning the lath. Afterwards all, the components have been replaced and excess solder removed…

Clean the area thoroughly with a quality flux remover.
Angle the lath to permit the cleaner and residues to run off.
If needed, use a horsehair brush or lint-free wipe to gently scrub the PCB, and so follow with a rinse.
If using a wipe, brand sure it doesn't leave fibers/lint on your PCB, which may cause bug after.

This is an optional footstep for no-clean flux, but even so a proficient idea for densely populated or high voltage boards. It is admittedly required, regardless of the flux type, if you lot plan to follow your repair with conformal coating.

Associated products:

Techspray G3 Flux Remover
Techspray Due east-LINE Flux Remover
Techspray Brushes
Techspray Wipes

10 tips to skilful soldering

Start with a clean surface.
Lucifer the size of your wire solder to what you lot are soldering.
Friction match your soldering tip to what you are soldering.
Select your solder and flux carefully.
Keep your tip make clean and tinned.
Select a soldering temperature that is hot enough to efficiently melt the solder, but not too hot.
Hold the soldering tip to the lead and contact point/pad until both are brought up to temperature.
Apply plenty solder to comprehend the contact pad and surroundings the lead.
If necessary, trim your leads with a abrupt shear pb cutter, and don't trim into the solder articulation.
Clean flux residues from the soldering expanse with a quality flux remover.

Associated products:

Plato soldering tips
Plato shear lead cutters
Techspray G3 Flux Remover
Techspray E-LINE Flux Remover

That concludes our Ultimate Guide to Electronic Soldering. Nevertheless have questions virtually which soldering products are best for your applications? Contact us at 678-819-1408, or send us a message here.