Electronics > Beginners
Flux
djnz:
For general hobby use, I like RMA fluxes, but hobby use is an application where it almost doesn't matter. For more serious use, there is no one answer. You need to consider the temperatures the product will see, and the product life you are targeting.
JustMeHere:
The "no clean" stuff can be a real bastard to clean. It makes your boards look dull if you cannot get it off.
Also, I sent several days one time trying to figure out why my SPI programming header was so flaky. It has a thin coat of flux on it.
tooki:
--- Quote from: MarkF on June 27, 2019, 08:27:36 pm ---I just saw a new video relevant to this discussion:
--- End quote ---
Yikes. The Weller flux there says “zinc chloride” right on the tub, meaning it’s an acid flux totally unsuited for electronics. That makes me wonder whether any of the other ones in tubs (that don’t expressly say “rosin” or “for BGA”) are acid fluxes.
Moreover, while that video does show how easy the fluxes are to apply (or not), soldering all-new components onto new ENIG PCB is a very easy task. A much more illuminating comparison would be with old, tarnished parts.
tooki:
--- Quote from: fixit7 on June 27, 2019, 11:47:01 pm ---I have read thru the discussion.
All those pens are kinda expensive for the quantity.
What about a liquid flux?
Surely, some of them are ok.
I do not mind brushing it on.
--- End quote ---
Yes, on a per-milliliter basis the pens are expensive, but about half the cost is the pen itself, not the contents. You can refill flux pens, so as long as the nib is still in decent shape, you can use the pen for a LONG time. (You can also go to an art supply store and buy replacement nibs, they sell them for certain kinds of graffiti markers.) But also, don’t underestimate how frugal flux pens are — they let you apply flux just where you need it, so you waste very little.
As for liquid vs. paste: I go into this extensively in my earlier reply, and why you want both. (In other words, of course some are fine, I listed three... you can buy those fluxes in non-pen form if you want.)
fixit7:
Much thanks for the video. I think he showed the better ones first.
I found a 150 g for $13.15. Do not mind waiting a month for it.
NT ZJ-18 150g Yellow paste Advance Quality Solder Flux Soldering Paste High
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