Electronics > Repair
Restoring dried solder flux paste
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tooki:

--- Quote from: jpanhalt on February 15, 2021, 10:43:12 pm ---One experiment is worth 1000 expert opinions or TDS's.

--- End quote ---
Yet my multiple experiments apparently didn't count?

Why are you being so combative, trying to find something to criticize about every utterance I make?


--- Quote from: jpanhalt on February 15, 2021, 10:43:12 pm ---Why do you think ChipQuik's TDS's are so vague?  (PS: ChipQuik's use of bismuth in its low-melting solder is a matter of marketing.)

--- End quote ---
Ummm… what? Who said anything about ChipQuik? Even so, how is bismuth "marketing" when it makes up the bulk of the alloy?!?


MSDS's (I didn't say TDS's!) are designed to be vague so as to preserve a manufacturer's exact recipe. All the same, they do offer some insight into what goes into products. Nobody is saying they're complete (since nonhazardous ingredients aren't generally listed), nor detailed enough to be used as a recipe guide.
helius:
I'm interested in what you find. I have a nearly-full pint tub of Kester SP-44, but it has evaporated into a hard, rock like solid with needle shaped crystals. Is the consensus here that a 50%-50% mixture of (absolute ethanol or isopropyl) and sec-butanol is what's needed to restore it to a paste?
tooki:

--- Quote from: helius on February 16, 2021, 12:24:18 am ---I'm interested in what you find. I have a nearly-full pint tub of Kester SP-44, but it has evaporated into a hard, rock like solid with needle shaped crystals. Is the consensus here that a 50%-50% mixture of (absolute ethanol or isopropyl) and sec-butanol is what's needed to restore it to a paste?

--- End quote ---
The crystals are normal. My ca. 1990 tin of SP-44 is still a stiff paste. I don't recall it ever being truly soft.
helius:
Hmm, thanks. The only thing I tried so far was mixing some with a small amount of glycerin and IPA. I wasn't able to mix it smoothly so these don't seem to be compatible with it.
SilverSolder:
I am super happy with the recipe in the original post - I actually used the flux "repaired" that way today, and it still looks, feels, and works like new.

If you have any liquid flux to hand, it is easy enough to try a small experiment to see if it is compatible with your paste...   this method is strong on the principle "use what you have", in my case at least! :D

This is what it looks like after 9 months - crystals beginning to form on the top, but it is still buttery smooth.

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