Can I use plumbing flux on electronics? The strong acid in plumbing solder is very corrosive in order to strip the layer of oxidation off the surface of pipes as the solder melts, allowing it to adhere and form a waterproof joint. However, that corrosive acid flux will rapidly degrade wiring if plumbing solder is mistakenly used for electronics.
What is flux in plumbing?
What Is Flux Used for in Plumbing?
- About Flux. Flux is an acidic paste that is water-soluble, which makes cleaning up simple by using water and a cotton rag.
- Preparing for Flux. It's critical that two copper pieces that you want to connect together are very clean prior to sweating with flux and solder.
- Applying Flux. ...
- Finishing the Connection. ...
What is the best solder for electrical work?
The three significant categories of solder suitable for your circuit board:
- Lead-based solders
- Lead-free solders
- Silver alloy solders
Can you use electrical solder for plumbing?
Most electrical solder contains lead and that is not allowed for plumbing connections. Modern plumbing solder does not contain lead. 2. The flux in electrical solder is rosin and that isn’t as aggressive as the flux used in plumber’s solder. don’t use plumbing flux on electrical connections. They will quickly corrode and stop working.
Do you need flux to solder copper?
Yes, flux is a vital proponent in joining pipe and fitting via the process of soldering. Flux is acidic in nature and not only acts to clean the copper pipe, but attracts the flame towards it, which brings the melted alloy with it, creating a water tight seal.
Can plumbers flux be used on electronics?
The strong acid in plumbing solder is very corrosive in order to strip the layer of oxidation off the surface of pipes as the solder melts, allowing it to adhere and form a waterproof joint. However, that corrosive acid flux will rapidly degrade wiring if plumbing solder is mistakenly used for electronics.
What kind of flux do you use for electronics?
Best Soldering Flux for ElectronicsSoldering Flux for ElectronicsWeightBuy NowLa-Co Soldering Flux Paste16 ozCheck On AmazonDelcast Rosin Soldering Flux Paste1.7637 ozCheck On AmazonMG Chemicals Rosin Flux Paste1.7637 ozCheck On AmazonYouland Soldering Rosin Flux0.35274 ozCheck On Amazon6 more rows•Jan 5, 2022
Is water soluble flux good for electronics?
Water soluble (WS) fluxes have been in use in the electronics industry as an alternative to rosin fluxes for some 25 years. They have been extensively used for wave soldering in a number of industries, notably for computers and industrial instrumentation.
Is there a difference between plumbing solder and electrical solder?
Electrical solders have a lower melting point (around 360 ˚F), while solders utilized in plumbing have higher melting points, usually well over 400 ˚F. This is why electrical soldering can be done using a soldering iron while a lot of pipes soldering utilizes a gas torch to heat up the metals.
Do I need flux to solder electronics?
When soldering an electronic connector to a contact point (often called a “pad”), you generally need the following: A soldering iron capable of reaching the melting point of the solder. Wire solder, with or without a flux core. Flux, if the wire solder does not include a flux core or if additional flux is needed.
Do you use flux when soldering electronics?
Flux is a chemical cleaning agent used before and during the soldering process of electronic components onto circuit boards. Flux is used in both manual hand soldering as well as the different automated processes used by PCB contract manufacturers.
What is the difference between water soluble flux and regular flux?
The important difference between water soluble and rosin fluxes is their flux activity. Partial removal of the water soluble flux residues can result in corrosion. Compared to rosin fluxes, water soluble fluxes are aggressive also at normal temperatures in assembly processing.
Does flux protect PCB?
For repairing electronics or soldering on otherwise dirty PCBs, you can buy mildly activated rosin (RMA) or activated rosin (RA), both of which cut through built-up oxides but leave a residue that needs flux cleaner to end up with a clean PCB that does not attract contaminants.
What is water soluble paste flux used for?
Water-soluble solder paste flux is designed for use in joining or sweating copper pipe and fittings. It meets ASTM standard B-813 and is approved for use by model plumbing codes. This paste contains no lead and will not turn copper pipe green.
What kind of solder is best for electronics?
6 Best Solder for Electronics ReviewsKester Solder. First on our list is the Kester Solder, a 0.031 inches diameter steel-based solder with very high conductivity. ... Maiyum Solder Wire. ... SONEAK 60/40 Tin Lead Solder. ... Austor Solder Wire. ... Canfield Solder. ... Mandala Crafts Store Rosin Core Solder Wire.
Why is soldering going to be illegal?
Legislative History. In 1986 Congress Amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, prohibiting the use of pipes, solder or flux that were not “lead free” in public water systems or plumbing in facilities providing water for human consumption.
What can I use instead of solder?
1:565:49How To Easily Solder Wires Together(No Soldering Iron)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're going to be working on number 16 or number 18 stranded copper wire. If you're going to beMoreIf you're going to be working on number 16 or number 18 stranded copper wire. If you're going to be working on number 12 or number 14 stranded copper wire.
What is soldering in electronics?
In electronics you are cleaning, and soldering in one step. The soldering is usually a surface bond of components. With plumbing the flux cleans the fittings, and gets the solder to flow into the cup of the fitting. -1.
Is flux corrosive?
Sort of all of the above. Electronic flux is non-corrosive, which is why it is used in electrical work. To say that the corrosion from plumbing flux adversely affects electrical components is a wild understatement. "Destroys" might be somewhat closer to the mark. But plumbing flux does a much better job of cleaning off oxidation -- which is the objective of the exercise, after all -- and at least in my experience is a good deal less sensitive to being overheated.
What is Plumbing Flux?
Flux is an acidic paste that is widely used in plumbing applications to link two joints that are soldered together. This is referred to as “sweating” the pipes. Flux, when combined with solder, is an important component of the sweating (or soldering) process.
What is Plumbing Flux Made From?
Flux is a chemical agent (trisodium phosphate) that is used to clean and combine metals. It comes in liquid and paste forms and is created from organic or inorganic ingredients. Which you use depends on the qualities you’re looking for in your project.
What is Flux Melting?
Flux is acidic in nature, and it not only cleans the copper pipe, but it also draws the flame to it. This brings the melted alloy with it and forms a watertight seal. It is critical to have a proper connection during soldering in order to avoid future leaks and water damage.
How to Apply Plumbing Flux
For plumbing purposes, you want to use an acid flux or lead-free tinning flux for soldering copper pipes as these are the two best options. Larger areas of oxidation can be removed with acid flux, resulting in much stronger soldering work.
Final Thoughts
That’s all there is to it. You’ve used the flux to clean and connect. You’re now ready to begin soldering. We have some great instructions on how to solder (or sweat) a copper pipe correctly. That article is below in our Related Resources.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help soldering your plumbing pipes.
Why is plumber solder easier to manipulate?
Ease of manipulation is important when you are working with small electrical components. The solid core of plumber’s solder is what allows pipe connections to hold up, despite the high-water pressure that they are subjected to.
What solder is used for plumbing?
With electrical solder, you will usually use rosin-core solder, mild-core solder, or water-soluble solder. Most often, electrical solder will be rosin-core solder. This means that the flux is already in the core of the solder. One reason to not interchange these two solders is due to the acid-based flux that plumbing solder uses.
How to solder an electronic component?
If so, then refer to the products list above and follow these steps to successfully solder an electronic component: Heat up the iron. Put the leads through the board and bend them, so that they stay don’t fall out.
What is the difference between plumbing solder and electric solder?
Another difference between plumbing and electric solder is the gauge size . The gauge size of the plumbing solder is thicker, around 1/8 an inch, and it has a solid core. This makes plumbing solder harder to manipulate.
What to wear when soldering pipes?
Dress right – You should wear nonflammable clothes to stay safe from the torch flame or the heat of the soldering iron. Wear gloves – Especially if you are soldering pipes, wearing gloves is important. They protect your hands from any solder that could spit up and keep your hands safe from the heat.
How to solder a pipe?
To successfully solder, you will need to: Light your torch and begin heating the area where the pipe and fitting connect. Heat until the flux sizzles, then heat the other side, so the heat is evenly distributed. Begin touching the solder against the pipe to test and see if it the pipe is hot enough to solder.
What happens when you solder metal?
Sometimes, you may also work with metals such as lead that could give off harmful fumes.
