- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
You know, the flux paste from RadioShack?
I was wondering if it is conductive in its melted form.
I was wondering if it is conductive in its melted form.
LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods
Links below open in new window
ArcticMyst Security by Avery
Is Flux Conduxtive?
- Thread starter Spyderz20x6
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 6,309
- Points
- 83
Most solder flux is conductive under "proper" conditions.
The old stand-by Kester 44 is a chloride which is a salt and can be conductive if the petrolium jelly is removed leaving the flux and in high humidity. This is more corrosive than conductive.
We are dealing here with mostly low impedance circuits and small leakage <~10K ohms is not a factor unless you are on the gate of a Mosfet.
I wash with bipolar solvent to try to get both elements of the flux and carrier. Using basic flux core solder --- no problem --- unless you are in extreme environments.
Mike
The old stand-by Kester 44 is a chloride which is a salt and can be conductive if the petrolium jelly is removed leaving the flux and in high humidity. This is more corrosive than conductive.
We are dealing here with mostly low impedance circuits and small leakage <~10K ohms is not a factor unless you are on the gate of a Mosfet.
I wash with bipolar solvent to try to get both elements of the flux and carrier. Using basic flux core solder --- no problem --- unless you are in extreme environments.
Mike
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
Ok, thanksHemlock Mike said:
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 17,622
- Points
- 113
Just stay away from the Acid flux used for sheet metal soldering... it even
comes in Acid core solder format... if you want to know if your flux is Acid...
put a small amount on the tip of your tongue... if it burns slightly.....
Yup... it's Acid Flux..
Jerry
comes in Acid core solder format... if you want to know if your flux is Acid...
put a small amount on the tip of your tongue... if it burns slightly.....
Yup... it's Acid Flux..
Jerry
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
No, mine just taste wierd.lasersbee said:
I love the smell!
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 17,622
- Points
- 113
No, mine just taste wierd.Spyderz20x6 said:
I love the smell![/quote]
You're not supposed to eat it..... :
Even that.... it is not too good to inhale... Burnt Anything..
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
No, mine just taste wierd.lasersbee said:
I love the smell![/quote]
You're not supposed to eat it..... :
Even that.... it is not too good to inhale... Burnt Anything..[/quote]
Lol, i had to lick a q-tip that i was using to clean flux of my driver.
I like the smell when it is still in its non-burnt form...
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 6,309
- Points
- 83
That "good" smell is rosin -- pine tree sap which contains abedic acid. That is mild stuff and has been used for many years.
DON'T taste that stuff -- it contains lead (Pb) bad for you.
Mike
DON'T taste that stuff -- it contains lead (Pb) bad for you.
Mike
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
Oh, ok...Hemlock Mike said:
I was just about to eat some from a spoon ;D
JK
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 17,622
- Points
- 113
Hey mike...
I thought the Lead came from the Solder... not from the Rosin
flux.... I'm probably wrong... :
Do they add the lead to the Rosin Flux or is it a natural part of the Rosin... :-?
BTW I myself... only use Multicore Rosin Flux Solder... in the .020" dia.
Jerry
I thought the Lead came from the Solder... not from the Rosin
flux.... I'm probably wrong... :
Do they add the lead to the Rosin Flux or is it a natural part of the Rosin... :-?
BTW I myself... only use Multicore Rosin Flux Solder... in the .020" dia.
Jerry
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2008
- Messages
- 5,725
- Points
- 0
Flux is non-conductive (an insulator) by itself. Too much will ruin a connection..
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
Really? :-?ElektroFreak said:
I never knew that...
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2008
- Messages
- 5,725
- Points
- 0
The tin/lead mixture is the conductor. Rosin flux is just tree sap.. non-conductive. Acid core solder also has a non-conductive flux. Acids are much more of an insulator than the surrounding metal. Flux merely helps the solder flow, and in the case of acid-core, prepares the surface for soldering by cutting through any corrosion/oxidation, I believe, although I never use it myself..
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
- Messages
- 2,735
- Points
- 0
Yea, i knew that the actual solder was the conducter...ElektroFreak said:
I was just curious if the flux paste itself is.
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2008
- Messages
- 17,622
- Points
- 113
The problem with Acid flux is that if even a small amount is left on an electrical
solder joint it will start to react with the joint metals and start to corrode the
joint over time.. For that reason acid flux or acid core solder is strictly forbidden
in my shop.
Jerry
solder joint it will start to react with the joint metals and start to corrode the
joint over time.. For that reason acid flux or acid core solder is strictly forbidden
in my shop.
Jerry
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 6,309
- Points
- 83
Flux is a cleaning agent - as such it dissolves oxides including lead oxide.
Go ahead -- eat it. I'm a dumb ass here after 30 years as an engineer in industrial circuit soldering.
Mike
Go ahead -- eat it. I'm a dumb ass here after 30 years as an engineer in industrial circuit soldering.
Mike
