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To get a good bond on two pieces of flat metal, apply a thin layer of solder to both edges (Fig. 14). After applying this thin layer of solder to the edges to be soldered together, place the tinned edges one over the other and press them firmly in place with the broad side of the hot soldering iron.
What do you do when solder won’t stick?
If the solder refuses to flow the way you want it to: Stop and let the joint cool. Clean and tin your iron. Clean off any burnt flux from the joint. Let the iron come back up to temperature. Then reheat the joint and try again.
Why does my solder not stick to metal?
If solder doesn’t stick to a metal surface, I see three possible reasons for this: The part you want to solder is not hot enough – the metal surface has to be brought to the melting point of the solder, otherwise it will not make sufficient contact and the solder joint will eventually fail.
What metal Cannot be soldered?
Of metals Solderability Metal Fair Carbon steel Low alloy steel Zinc Nickel Poor Aluminium Aluminium bronze Difficult High alloy steel Stainless steels Very Difficult Cast iron Chromium Titanium Tantalum Magnesium.
How do I get solder to stick?
Solder easily flows on, and sticks to, well-heated surfaces. If after both these steps the solder still refuses to stick onto the iron, add some flux to your soldering iron’s tip. This will clean the surface and make it much more efficient in transferring heat again.
How do you get solder to stick without flux?
Simple! HEAT, and lots of rubbing alcohol, lint free cloth, scouring pads (like scotch-brite) as well as patience; and even then it might not flow well. Air is all around us, and will cause the surface you are trying to solder to oxidize. If you surface isn’t clean, there will be no whetting action, period.
Why won’t the solder stick to the wire?
Most likely the copper wires are not clean enough or not hot enough. Mechanically clean the wires by abrasion. Chemically clean the wires using alcohol or other solvent. Use a flux compound or flux-cored solder.
Will solder stick to steel?
Soldering is a metalworking process that involves joining metal together by bonding it with solder, which melts when heated and hardens quickly. Although steel is usually welded or brazed together, you can also solder it.
Why is the solder not melting?
The solder melts and doesn’t cling at all to the tip, it only balls up, as if fleeing from the tip. The tip is so damaged, so oxidized that essentially the tip should not (or cannot) be used for soldering anymore. Short answer: Your tip is so badly oxidized, it cannot do what it is meant to do.
Is solder as strong as welding?
The bond created when the melted soldered material solidifies. Not as strong as welding or brazing. A soldered bond is not as strong as a welded or brazed one because it is not a mechanical connection. If soldering wasn’t done properly, the pieces won’t conduct electricity properly.
What flux is used for soldering steel?
White flux is useful for brazing copper, brass, steel, stainless steel, and nickel alloys. It has an active temperature range of 1050 -1600°F (565 – 870°C).
Can you solder to zinc?
Zinc has a relatively low melting point and therefore is not ideal but still can be soldered. Lead coated copper should be soldered with 60/40 lead tin solder.
What can I use as soldering flux?
If it is for lead-tin electronic soldering, the rosin flux inside the solder is mostly colophony (pine rosin). The same stuff used on violin bows, and that pitchers have it powdered in a bag. Mix it with 99% isopropyl alcohol to make a liquid.
Does flux make solder stick?
Flux helps solder flow or “wet” properly in terms of its adhesive property while molten and helps prevent oxidation. Flux is necessary for the “reflow” of solder. The word flux itself regards flow or reflow.
Can you use Vaseline as flux?
Can You Use Vaseline as Flux? Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won’t corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.
Should you use flux when soldering?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. The flux also protects the metal surfaces from re-oxidation during soldering and helps the soldering process by altering the surface tension of the molten solder.
Can you use copper wire to solder?
Soldering With Copper Wire Cleanliness is a must for good solder joints. When working with large amounts of copper wire, outside of electronics, it may be beneficial to apply solder flux, either purchased or made at home from rosin and alcohol, before proceeding.
Why is soldering so hard?
If you let the solder sit on the iron, the flux quickly boils off (the fumes are from flux, not the lead). And without flux, soldering becomes almost impossible. Flux removes oxidation from metals, and it’s crucial because solder won’t stick to oxidized metals, and metals oxidize very quickly at soldering temperatures.
What metal will solder stick to?
Regular solder with rosin flux will stick to copper, tin, lead, brass and bronze. Regular solder with acid flux is needed for not so clean copper, brass or bronze. Acid flux is also needed for nickel, stainless steel, regular steel and zinc. Indium solder can be used with gold, glass and ceramics.
Do you need flux to solder steel?
When soldering stainless steel, you cannot use normal soldering flux. You will need a more powerful high activity acid flux because of the greater amount of oxides on the surface of stainless steel. These oxides are what prevents the solder from sticking to the surface.
